davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

To the Editor Of The Washington Times.
The present theory Of the origin OF
our sun is that it was formed by the
collision of two swarms Of meteors, the
impact reducing them to an incaudescent
gas.
When this collision occurred il is prob
able some of the meteOrs or fragments
escaped without being reduced to a sas,
one cluster may have oyerlapped the
other allowing the outside ones TO pass
on into space with part OF all OF its
original velocity. The combined mass
Of those which formed the sun would
have their initial velocity partly de-
stroyed by the impact.
Since bodies attract each other direct
~ as their mass and inverseIy as the
square Of the distance, the mass formed
by this collision would attract the me-
teors which escaped and some of them
would be finally stopped In their course
and caused 70 rcvolve around the sun in
elongated orbits. From these meteors
our comets are formed. The recent eX-
periments Of lie Bon have proved that
all bodies will become radioactive after
they reach a certain age and become
luminous like radium.
The escaped metecrs are older than
any matter in our solar system since
all the planets have been formed by
the cooling Of tho incandescent mater
ial Of the sun and have reached the
state IN which they become luminous
by radio-aCtivity.
lie Bon has also proved that the par
ucIes thrown of from radioactive
bodies are identical with electricity
The tail Of the comet is therefore the
electrical discharge caused by the dis
integration of the meteors, and always
points away frcm the spu on account Of
electric rcpulsiuu.
lie Bon has also shown that the dis
charge from radioactive bodies comes
from the disintegratiOn Of the atom and
that the energy stored In the atom Is
many times greater than that stored in
the molecule, therefore the small uu-
cleus OF the comet Is enabled for a long
time % throw off energy, stored In its
atoms.
The comets do not revolve in the plane
Of the ecliptic. If this theory is correct
there is TO reason why they should since
me direction in which they TeVove
would depend upon the initial direction
Of the meteor OF fragment that escaped
from the collision, and the mutual at
traction of the mass of the sum and the
fragment producing the comet.
New comets that appear, occasionally
are meteOrs that have reached the age
at which they become radioactive
M. J.. d.
washington, j. G.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
NEED FOR A DISTRICT PARK
SYSTEM.

There is great need in the District
of Columbia for a definite plan looking
to the development of park system.
The first necessity, after these plans
take shape, Is the requirement of con-
siderably more land than is now en-
braced in the several parks The next
necessity, and the one which will be
important in the development Of the
city beautiful, is a scheme whereby the
parks will be linked together.
The one great drawback to the park
situation as IL exists today is that
our parks are widely separated. At
first blush it would seem a difficult
task to connect the hills and valleys
of Rock Creek Park with the level
driveways and bride paths of Potomac
Park. Other cities have solved such
problems, however, and it Is not too
much to expect that the problem will
be solved in the Capital of the nation.
Boston has many miles of park road
way, the oiled macadamized roads
stretching from one park into another
The citizens of Cleveland can drive
from the shores of Lake Erie to the
eastern end Of the city without once
leaving its parking system. We
should have similar conditions in
Washington.
The plan submitted to Congress by
the District Commissioners is an excel
lent one. The appointment of a COM
mission to investigate the possibilities
of an extension of the park system
will enable the District officials TO lay
before Congress a comprehensive plan
Of the scheme it seems best TO adopt
before an appropriation is asked for.
The preliminary cost would be insig-
nificant. The Capital Of the nation
should take first rank among the
beauty spots of the world, and the
first step in that direction should be
the development of the park system.
There are great possibilities for en-
HANGING the beauty Of Washington.
and it only remains for Congress to
authorize the Commissioners to begin
the work.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
A SANE MOVEMENT OF IN
TEREST TO ALL.

The plan Of proit-sharing between
employers and employees that has been
adopted by the Furness system OF Eng
lish shipbuilding yards bids fair 10 be
successful, and is already being dis
cussed. with view to its adoption. by
four other great British industries.
The sanity Of the thing makes it at
tractive. and we would do well to keep
close watch upon its development.
There is nothing maudlin or paternaI-
istic about it, but Just a plain business
proposition, and yet it Is the most in
sidiOus means Of ultimately bringing
employer and employed into the clos
est bonds by giving them a common
interest, one that affects their pockets.
it is the best strike preventative
known.
Some OF our corporations here know
how TO do it. too, but very many at
tempts have been made that have
proven absolute fzzles. The great
trouble has been that the employer
didn't know where TO stop. Profit
sharing has been saddled with aces
series and friils and the thing has be
come benevolent. The workmen's
physical and moral well-being received
attention. homes were provided. etc.
etc. The laborcr lost his independence.
he became a mere beneficiary. and uI-
timately rebelled.
Real proft-sharing. where the work
man is given an opportunity 10 invest
his savings in the concern that. by
the labor of his hand, he is building up.
and in the management of which he
acquires voice by reason Of being a
shareholder, is one of the greatest
helps known i'm the solution OF our
much involved and sorely perpIexing
labor question, and why more of it is
not done passes comprehension.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

but arc producing greater yield per
acre than ever before. also greater
yield per capita. He says James J. Hill is
right in saying that our soils are not
Keeping up with the demands Of the
people for foodstufTs- But he does not
deem It due 20 a falling off of produc-
tivity. He declares consumption Is in
cre8sing. and that we eat more per
capita than We did fifty years ago. In
other words. he conveys the idea that
the public is insisting on a higher and
more costly standard of living, CON
sequently the drain on our agricultural
production is intensified.
But Prof Whitney thinks the agri-
cultural production can be greatly in
creased. He says agriculture in this
country is i'm its infancy, and that
when we settle down to the real bust
ness of farming and get a thorough
knowledge OF the soil of each field, as
the people OF some European countries
have. there viii be fewer crop failures
and the average productivity win be
higher.
The soils of Europe, according TO
Prof. Whitney. do not produce larger
maximum crops than our own, but
more of the people approach the maxi
mum than this country because of bet
ter farming methods and more careful
study of the soil. He holds that there
have never been greater opportunities
offered for American farming than
there are today, and especially in the
East and South, where cheap produc-
tive soils await resettlement and re-
occupation. His version of the situa-
ton is the strongest kind of a plea
for more intelligent agriculture.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
THE DEEP WATER TO THE
rsr SEA" MOVEMENT.

We are having many conventions,
and much talk, and surveys galore
concerning the deepening OF making Of
ship canals from the Great Lakes 70
the ocean or down into the Gulf. a
means of carrying unbroken vessel
freight from Chicago and the other lake
and river ports to seaports, or even to
the ultimate destination Of that freight
in Europe OF elsewhere. But very lit
tie is actually being done.
Meantime, Canada is plugging away.
not saying much, but shaving of an
other foot or so from her Welland and
Cornwall canals, and it will only be a
htcAe while before steamer of twenty
four foot draft can 90 direct from Port
Arthur, Chicago, Cleveland, or those
other ports to Montreal and thence
anywhere in the world where there is
a port. When once that possibility Of
fefs itself are our American shippers
going to be so loyal TO the flag that
they will refrain from sending their
goods abroad blythe shortest and cheap
est sll-water route simply because that
route lies in Canadian territory and
that they may have TO pay some toll
along that rOuteg And then New
York city and Buffalo and some of our
railroads may be sorry that they have
50 long opposed and virtually throttled
an all-water route TO the sea through
our own territory.
But Jet the talking go on. No harm
will result and some good may come
from IL, albeit a trihe late.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
CITIZENS PROTEST
AGAINST INCREASE
BrightwOod Park Association OBJ
jects to District Paying More
Than One-half Expenses.

Members OF the Brightwood Park Cit
zens' Association are engaged in the
formulation of plan OF campaign To be
directed against the policy of the Dis
trict paying more than onc-half of the
expenses for the maintenance Of play
grounds.
Resolutions protesting against the re-
cent action OF Congress in this respect
were adopted at meeting of the as
ISOLATION last night. A committee Of
three was appointed TO submit the pro-
test 20 ScnatGT Galliuger aud Repre-
sentative smith,, chairmcu Of tho Senate
and House Committees on the District
OF Columbia. The association is aTraug-
ing 20 hold a big meeting iu January.
senator Gal1ngor and Representative
Smith Will be invited to make addresses.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
THE COPENHAGEN VERDICT
ON DR.. COOK.

Today's cables bring the announce
ment that the scientific committee of
the University of Copenhagen has dc
cidcd that Dr. Cooks data are not suf-
icient to carry conviction that he
reached the North Pole. The decision,
itinust be said. is not unexpected. DR..
Cooks actions for some weeks past
hsSe not beer those of man who
expected to be indicated. His case
lost the worlds confidence when he
disappeared so remarkably and mys-
teYsously on the eve of the sittings Of
the committee which was to decide on
hisciaims The revelations concerning
his Mt. Mckinley trip, and the later
ones relating TO his engagement of
navigators to prepare data of observa-
tions for him. broke down the last
hope of the great majority of people
that he would be able to clear himself
Of the charge of being gigantic
faker.
To the lay mind there will always
'be's vast deal of mystery about the
processes by which the scientists can
determine positively whether mans
claim that certain figures. alleged to
represent observations of the heavens
at various points. were actually made
atfthe place where they are alleged to
7hRSe been made. or in the quietude
of comfortable library. But there
viii be general willingness to accept
the verdict of the Danish scientists,
who were The first to accept and the
last TO lose faith in Cook. Admiral
Chester made n suggestion in his re-
cent speech which. while not easily
grasped in all its significance by the
unscientifc person, yet carried vast
conviction. because the average person
can understand it in a general way. He
declared that the shadows in the pho
tographs Cook claimed TO have made
at the Pole lay at such angles that it
was certain the pictures could not
have been made at the top of the
earth on the day claimed.
II Is TO be regretted that the huge
fsHe has unavoidably reflected dis
cfesit on America. 1t viii inevitably
Beeset down by many people as
Enthusiastically an American bluff.
B0g there Is some satisfaction in the
farc that Americans were the first to
eetsto the bottom of the Cook account
agH 10 lose faith in IL.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
independence in Presearino
Names May Start
Fight
SELDOM REFUSE
TO GET PLACES
Senator Nelson's Blocking Of Mil
ton Purdy One of the
Exceptions.

President Taft is showing dfSpoSitiou
to independence in the matter OF maxine,
Federal appointments that is giving no
little concern about The Senate.
II Is likely n persisted in 10 bring
about sharp controversy between the
President and the Senate or. at least.
number OF the Senators.
Plenty OF examples OF appointments
made without regard TO the wishes OF
Senators may be cited. More or less Of
this has been going on since the be-
ginning Of the present Administration.
The Senate is used TO being ignored ia
appointments to some extent. And il
seldom happens, when the President
goes over the head Of a Senator to
make an appointment. that the Senator
does not finally give way and allow
CO. firmatiOn- But it does happen oc-
casiorally. as when Senator Knute Mel
SOL completely blocked the conhrrna-
ton Of Milton d. Purdy as Federal
judge in Minnesota.
a strong disposition has been shown
in the making OF Treasury Department
appointments to select men whom Sec
rotary MacVeagh deems fitted for the
places 10 be filed rather than TO pick
men wanted by the politicians. The
nomination OF James f. Curtis, OF Boz
ton, is an example The nomination OF
Mr.. Curtis is still held up by way OF
disciplining Secretary MacVeagh. but II
has so far failed TO discipline him The
Information is that Mr. Curtis VIII be
confirmed without a much longer wait.
In the meantime, the young man Is
graphing with customs problems and
proving himself a keen lawyer, capabIe
OF handling the business that comes to
his desk
Another case which has just developed
is the appointment OF a United States
district attorney for the st. Louis dis
trict- Secretary Of Commerce. and Labor
has friend who is a highly capable
lawyer whom ne wants named. Sen
ator Warner has a candidate who has
the support OF the Republican organiza-
ton.
The President has shown a disposition
TO pick the friend of Secretary Nagel
which has been highly troublesome 10
the politicians.
Senator's CuIlom and Lorimer of him
ols had a severe shock this week when
three Federal officers, two district AZ
torneys, ana one marshal. were resp-
pointed In their State without their
knowledge or consent. Il appeared the,
had been overridden and ignored and
there was great excitement Later. il
was given ont the sending of the names
10 the Senate had been a mistake.
In regard TO pOstoffice appointnents
and census appointments. the president
IS laying down a strict rule that rner5r
must apply II the exclusion Of politics
from such selections is as completa in
practice as ii is in theory there min =
little left for the politicians to nibble an
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
Sidelights on Our Statesmen,
Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise

- nee more, mis- constituents are
on the trail Of the Hon. John
DaIzeH, OF Pittsburg. the arch
duke Of the high tariff ele-
ment in the House.
Mr. Dalzell Is now serving his twelfth
term in the House, but this does not
prevent him from having opposition for
denomination and reelection. He has a
hight on his hands about every time he
comes up for another term. This time.
his opponent is DR.. r. S Black, Of
Mckeesport, a Republican Of promi-
hence In the district, who is making a
lively campaign against him. Despite
Dalzell'S influence on tariff matters in
the House by reason OF mis- prominence
on the Ways and Means Committee and
his influence on general legislation as a
member of the Rules Committee. he is
not without plenty OF enemies at home.
strangely enough, not all of his con-
sutuents like his tariff notions
As the result Of the contest he has
on for denomination. DaIzeI is busting
about In the busiest possible fashion
picking up plums for his district. III
ne can give material aid in getting the
slOOO00 appropriation for a new pub
JIG building which Pittsburg wants ne
VIII help his cause along considerably.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
Hist! the Shortest Day Is Here;
But Don't Worry, Be of Good Cheer

Say folks
Stop! look listen! and reml
That this, the 2lSt day of Deem.
Do you Savvy? Do you hear?
Is the shortest day of all the year.
That's what the calendar tells us;
Just SO-and it ought to know
Perhaps so.
But then
Wherein
Does this day persist
In differing from the other 364 on
the list
-
I'm bleSt
If ! can see
A second, or a fraction thereof,
Shorter than the rest
1t looks the same old way,
And the people all
Look alike
And act,
And walk,
Just as they did
This time yesterday.
4
Expenses
Increase to beat the band;
They don't appear to grow any
shorter
In fact,
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
DEATH OF HARRIS
SHOCKS HIS FRIENDS
Former Senator Believed to Be
in Excellent Health-Ar-
ranging Funeral.

CHICAGO, Dec. Heterogeneous are
being made today for the funeral sefv-
ices OF former United states Senator
from Kansas W. y. Harris, who died
here yesterday after an attack OF heart
disease. Harris mad been known to have
a weak heart, but his death was a de-
cided shock TO his friends of here and
In Kansas
William A. Harris was at one time
Democratic candidate for governor or
the state ne represented in Congress
He was born October %, 1S4l, in oI.udoUn
county. Va, and graduated from Column
bian University. now George Washing
ton University I'm the District of Column
hia. III 1859 lie went 90 Virginia Mill
tary Institute the same year, and when
the civil war broke out Joined the Con
fcderate army. He served with distuc-
ton and was several times mentioned
for bravery in the h0ld-
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
NAVY.

Rear Admiral y. e NILES, transferred
70 the retired list from December q
Captain T. II. SHERMAN, 10 command
Indiana.
Captain T. E BEATTY, detached com
mand Wisconsin 10 home. and
granted leave one month.
Commander 3. W. HODGES, detsched
cOmmandant Naval Station, New Or
leans, La, 20 command Wisconsin.
Lieutenant Commander J. s DOD-
BRIDGE. detached Bureau OF
Equipment. Navy Department. 20
command Reid
Ensign s. L. HENDERSON. detached
New York to Mayfiower
Midshipman r. 5 FAY, detached New
York to Missouri
Paymaster T. W. LEITZE detached
Navy Yard. Boston, Mass. to Blu
reau or Supplies and Accounts.
Navy Department, washington, ID.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
In the Mail Bag

The Times Will accept fOr publ
cation in its Mail Bag columns,
short, vigorous letters on question
of public interest. It cnnnOt I'M
dertnke 20 publish letters exceed
Ing 25O words, aud reserves the
right rigidiy 10 condense cOmmu-
nicatiOns which are of greater
length. Letters must contain the
name and address OF the writer,
but these will not be published II
request 10 that effect t. made.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
DISTINGUISHED

A DISTINGUISHED member Of
~ Congress, who is the father of a
n precocious boy Of six, is finding
it necessary to explain to his
friends over and over again a remark
made By the boy in a crowded street
car last week.
Like many another statesman the dis
tinSuished member referred to is ex-
tremely fond Of the great American
game Of poker The hours during the
progress or a game slip by as quickly
as minutes slip by in the House
Early last week Mr.. Congressman. the
mention Of whose name might mean
his retirement from the House, went to
a room in a hotel which is reserved for
poker players of prominence. At >
O'Clock in the morning he was 500 to
the bad, but started TO quit
Stay and get even,'' chorused the
men on the rim Of the green covered
table
Tn play for one more hour. and
then me for home, replied Mr.. Con
gresham, as he bought another stack.
As has been remarked time in
p9keF game Tits away as swiftly as =
losers money. Mr. COngressman's l1cl-
had turned and it remained for the
bright sunlight TO remind him of home.
When he arrived there the whole house
hold was in a state OF excitement.
Il was just going to telephone for
the police said Mrs. Coneressusn ..r
thought you had been murdered. or
Iurt, or something dreadful had han
pened to YOU
MIS- congressman had some other re-
mar KS 70 make and the more she taxi
ed the more hysteriCaI she became. TJer
lecture came TO an end. however. uyitb
threat, The next time YOU stav av-ay
over night, 1 shall ask the police 10
A day or two later Mr.. Congressran
was on MS way To the CAPITOL In a
street car, accompanied by his six-vaar-
DC HAIR the passengers knew him The
youngster had been looking out Of tba
ElhuoW, and. As the car Dassed the
L'ISIIlcJ Municipal building. a so11a5 oF
ponce marched out of headouarters
DADDY yelled the kid care fbosa.
lle polcemens mama is eoiu' To se715
all night2'' U say OUT
vi congressman is still SuDnIvirr-
Cigars IN his committee room ana -srii1
puF cnasing drinks downtown --i'
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
PROFESSOR WHITNEY ON SOIL
PRODUCTIVITY.

I We arc not foreoTdaiDed and fore
doomed to starvation if the views of
Prof. Milton Whitney, chief of the
United States Bureau of Soils, are
correct. IN spite Of the high cost Of
living, Prof. Whitney sees rays of
hope ahead. His version of the situa-
lion is not entirely reassuring. it Is
true. but IL offers more of a straw
Tor Optimism TO grasp at than has been
offered by the conclusions of many
other observers.
Prof Whitney holds that the soils
OF this country are not wearing out,
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

John ". Gates now denies that he
advised the Methodist conference at
Port Arthur, Tex. not to gamble; and
for himself. Mr.. Gates is understood to
be just as ready as ever to bet a mil
lion or two
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
What's on the Program
Tonight in Washington

Anthropological Society, University
Hall. Fifteenth and II streets,
p. m
W. II. TOlman, OF New York, lecture.
THE Prevention Of Accidents. or a
Safer America" George Washington
University, p. M.
Anti-Saloon League. First Congrega-
tiOnal Church 40 p. m.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

AS the days contract
Our expenses expand!
And so it is
All along the line,
Yet life's just as sweet,
And
Long,
And fine!
+
Business bOonls in the same old
style,
And Christmas is coming,
SO don't get a crouch;
Better things are awaiting us
In Father Times old pOuchl
Then, too,
Six months from now
wen trOll spring ) sweet tune,
For then wen have
Natures largest, brightest,
GayeSt day of all
The 2iSt Of June
=
L'ENVOIE.
So Let's
Give yell
You know
Like-Well-
And THEN SOME
CHARLES ROMAN.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
MOVEMENTS OF VESSELS.

Acknowledgements, Nina, Octopus, and
Hartford. at Norfolk: Brutus at
Lambert Point: Stirling at Sewall
Point. Nanshan ar HongkOng, Buffalo
and Princeton at Corinto,
Sailed-DOlphin from Guantanamo for
CristObal, Atlantic battleshlp feet
from Hampton Roads for New York
Panther and SOlace from HAMPTON
Roads for TOmpkinsville, YanktOu
from Hampton Roads for Annapolis
and Eagle from Port LlmOn for Blue
fields
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

A scat got loose in a New York street
and smashed things generally, finally
getting into police court. Ought TO be
a warning OF what the ultimate con-
The Washington times., 1909-12-21
Theaters.

National-'The Love Cure" s-l5 p. m.
Communicative Merry Widow and the
Devil" S:i5 p. m.
Chase s-Vaudoville. o.15 p. IN.
Academy Buster Brown" S.l5 p. IA.
Morning. Noon. and Night"
SIS p. III.
Gayety-"Star and Garter Show, S.l5
y. M.
Crhe Times viii be pleased 10 announce
meetings and entertainments in this col
umn. Write or phone announcements.)
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

Postmaster General Hitchcock IS go
ing TO take steps to make II impossible
hereafter to send COWS by mail under a
frank. They certainly ought to pay
hrst-class postal rates. judging by the
current price Of milk.
The Washington times., 1909-12-21

DR. Cook failed to give evidence of
possessing that faith which removes
mountains-especially those Of about the
altitude of Mt Mckinley - from the
pathway to enduring fame.