davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
ANOTHER EXTENSION OF THE
MERIT SYSTEM.

In spite of all the outcry from time
to time in Congress against the opera
ton of the civil service law it is not
to be forgotten that the tendency is
to a gradual perfection of the merit
system. It may work out slowly, but
it cannot be doubted that from time to
time distinct advances are being made.
The order which Acting Secretary Rey-
nolds of the Treasury Department has
Just issued to widen the scope of the
merit system among the New York
customs employees is an indication OF
this.
Under the new regulations promotion
will be based solely on efficiency rat
ings. In other words, promotion viii
be on merit and not on the strength of
scholastic tests. Moreover, efficiency
ratings will be considered in the case
Of persons desiring to enter the clerical
force from grades Of service below the
clerical. 1t is not long since much the
same sort of regulation was put into
force in the Treasury Department They
are evidently working well or they
would not be applied to the New York
customs employees. The next steI
probably will be the exteBion of the
merit order to customs employees al
over the country.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
NECESSITIES OF LIFE COST
MORE NOW

Almost everybody can find food for
thought in the recent report Of Brad
streets, which shows that the prices Of
the necessaries of life are rising stead
lily. Statistics given by this report
show that the prices are the highest
since December l, 1907, when prices
were beginning to show the effect Of the
depression in business. The August l
figures on necassaries are one-half of
per cent above the figures for July J.
and the highest on record for any
August l, with the exception of August
!, 1907.
Government statistics coming out
from time to time on this subject of
the necessaries Of life and the cost of
living have been generally calculated to
get away from the idea that the prices
of the necessaries are rising. But the
facts quoted by Bradstreet's are simply
what every householder knows from
actual experience. The truth is that
the upward tendency in the prices of
necessaries of life is one of the most
serious phases of Iatter-day economics
in this country. 1t is impossible TO over
look it. It would be well if politicians
and tariff-makcrs would give due heed
to it. It is inevitable that many house
holds feel il. Bradstreet's saws:
Everyone knows that commodities
are high, and that as a result house
hold budgets in homes of limited in
comes feel the burden of this upward
tendency. In fact, in some quarters
economies have to be rigidly practiced
in order to make both ends meet, as 1t
were.
AT the same time it is pointed cut
that with bounteous farm products in
good demand prosperity is getting a
better foothold. And in this view there
is much force and comfort.
But there are many reasons for be-
lievimg that the high cost of living has
come to stay. It is Just possible that
the men who have been insisting on
raising tariff rates have overlooked this
fact, and have failed TO measure what
the relationship is between high prices
of necessaries OF life and politics. The
explanations of the member of Congress
as to why he voted for high duties viii
not be made easier if the voters go
about with visions of the high prices of
necessaries staring them in the face, 1t
might be well in this connection for
House and Senate leaders to read with
care the history of the connection be
tween the increasing cost of living and
the downfall of the British protective
system back in the 4O's. II is worth
the attention OF revisionists and stand
patters. That experience showed con
clusively that 10 amount of ultra high
tariff argument can avail against the
sentiments of the man who sees his
bills for living expenses continually
going up.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
DRAMA OF CHINESE
CURIOUS SPECTACLE

Every Chinese play in this country
begins at $50 or 6:45 o'clock The
audience does not commence to
arrive until s; therefore, the actors play
to bare boards for more Jnan an hour.
No reason for this-it has always been;
that 20 a Chinese IS aaough. On the
night Of the Haw Shou. they abridge
the main play a little to make room for
their act Of faith.
At 6.45 O'Clock, therefore, the mU-
sicians are tuning up in their alCove;
from the back of the wooden partition,
where the actors are making up, sound
many voices in the sIngsong infection
OF the Cantonese dialect A dignified
Chinese takes a seat beside the stage
entrance TO the left. and sets before
himself a little drum made from a
gourd Upon this he sounds a preliTni-
nary tattoo with two drumsticks. He is
prompter and stage manager; from the
rhythm OF his tattoo both actors and
musicians take their cues. Another Chi
nese in plain clothes steps in the fore
ground. He is tke property man and
active stage dir ctor, who wanders con-
tinuaHy through the action, setting out
properties, arranging costumes. seeing
that everything IS ship-shape. The eye
Of Chinese imagination regards him as
invisible.
AS suddenly as an e. olOsiOn the gongs
Sound out a great, booming note; ana
through the right entrance comes a
gorgeous procession First are two
women" in plain black. with sacred
6Ilets Of red dropping from their tenn
pies; then six men in long robes that
blaze with scarlet and gold, in sweep
ing artificial stage boards that cover
the mouth. and in curious antique bon
nets These are gods OF the Chinese
pantheon and the women are worship
ers. The gongs finish the god mo-
rff'' the little fiddle takes up mOnOt-
onous theme. and the women sing. IN
unison a holy chant. Suddenly they
nrostra- themselves on the platform
and the gods, in deep, mae voices. take
mn the refrain. From this beginning
tf5ev eract a short play whose moral Is
ollr' peace on earth. good viii toward
men" and whose theme Is the reward
Of the just.
The prompter rattles his sticks again;
the Haw ShOu is over. and the drama
81 .sSeven IN TIE Family. klnd-hearted
the Whole Lot" is on.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
GEORGIA'S INCOME TAX BILL
is DEFEATED.

1t is extremely unfortunate that the
Georgia Legislature has seen fit to with
hold It's assent 10 the proposed income
tax amendment; It is an admitted
fact that there have been powerful in
huences at WORT in that State to ac-
complish the defeat Of the income tax
proposition. Georgia's excuse that 1t
NAV conclude 20 tax incomes itself some
time" Is decidedly weak.
When the proposition was first taken
up for consideration by the Legislature,
within a few days of its submission to
the States by Congress, it seemed prob
able that it would be acted upon favor
ably. Then a lobby made its appear
ance. That lobby was visible to the
naked eve. It's activities became
notorious. and it worked ceaselessly to
bring about the defeat OF the income
tax. It succeeded. and in doing so it
has brought forcibly to the country's
attention the necessity Of discussing the
merits of this proposition without the
interference Of interests which do not
wish to contribute their share to the
Governments support.
Legislatures IN other States viii be
called upon 20 act upon this matter
within a comparatively short time
Other Hobbies VIII be at work. 1t win
be interesting to discover whether they
get their inspiration from the same
source as did the lobbyists who
brought about the defeat of a meri-
torious piece of legislation IN Georgia
We are OF the opinion that they do.
State legislatures before whom the con-
ztitutional amendment Is presented
should remember that they are dealing
with a national question; a question
affecting the welfare Of the nation.
When an organized IJbby carries on
warfare behind closed doors for the
purpose Of defed ing that legislation the
legislators should do their utmost to ex-
pose the lobby There are several
States which undoubtedly will vote
against the constitutional amendment
because it would interfere with their
own income taves, but we believe that
majority of taem viii not reject the
proposition on SO fiimsy an excuse as
that put forward by Georgia
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
NO NEED FOR THE CORPORA
TONS TO OBJECT.

Charles A. Conant, financial author
ity well known to Washington, in a
recent magazine article gives his views
on the corporation tax. While they
viii not be commended by good many
critics Of the corporation tax, they are,
at least, interesting Mr.. Conant makes
one observation which cannot well be
disputed. He asks whether the corpora
tons object 20 the measure OF super
vision and taxation imposed by the
corporation tax, and warns them that if
they do the ultimate reaction viii bring
on them the burdensome weight already
resting on the European corporations.
Mr. Conant points out that if cor
poration managers viii study the way
capitalistic Europe taxes its corpora
tions they vii. find that per cent is
something mild by comparison. Aus
tria, France, Great Britain, and other
states tax corporations in some cases
a high as 10 per cent.
Mr.. Conant's ideas suggest the
thought that the Senate and House
leaders who are planning the ultimate
repeal Of the tax. or rather its early
repeal are probably at fault in their
reckoning. 1t has probably proved a
good deal easier 10 get the tax than il
VIII be TO get rid of it. This will be
true particularly if the publicity fea-
lures amount TO anything. Mr.. Conant
thinks they VIII but on tlss matter a
lot Of well-nformed students are slzep-
teal
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

That the proposed court of customs
apne3ls is likely never 10 be created
is tie opinion of many members OF
coma ess, as well as a good many OF
6cfzIs about Washington who have been
observing the course of things closely.
II will be recalled that the new tarlH
law contemplates the organization OF
the court within ninety days of the pas
eaoa of the tariff measure. But con-
rress refused to make an appropriation
for the court. president Taft decided
not to attempt to organize the court
until Congress could make an appro-
r,-istion i'm the irst deficiency bill which
will he passed in the regular session II
is understood he took this course on the
advice of the Attorney General
The watchdogs of the Treasury III
Congress- have put a law on the statute
hooks which prevents any Government
,feclaI from mourning a deficiency WITH
ont e11biecting himself to penalties 30
the new court, if the President slio u''
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

lantic City, before going 10 the noun
tatns for the ramainer of the summer
To Visit Exposition.
John Barrett left Washington today for
Denver, Col, where he VIII be joined on
Monday by the Cuban Minister. Gen.
Garcia Velez. who viii accompany him
to Seattle to visit the exposition.
=
The minister from Nicaragua and
Sonora de Espinosa went TO Atlantic
CITY yesterday to spend a portion Of the
summer.
-
Mrs Francois Berger Moran has gone
TO Highwood, n. j.. to visit her SON
in-law and daughter. Mr.. and Mrs. NAL
colin AfcCOnihe, at their country place
David EIklns, son of Senator and Mrs.
Elzins is spending some time in Sara
tOga, \. Y.
Parker r. Anderson lest Washington
today for Raleig1. y. c., where he viii
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

join Mrs. Anderson, who has been
spending the last two weeks there the
guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
David T. Fort Mr and Mrs. Anderson
will return to Washington about the
first Of September.
Miss Marie Dom has returned 10
Washington from Atlantic City, where
she spent several weeks.
Miss Margaret Middleton is spending
the summer in Atlantic City.
Miss Auguerite K. Weidemann. daugh-
ter Of Mrs. John Weidemann, Of Girard
street, left Washington today for At
lantic City. where she will be the guest
of relatives for a month
-
Miss Rubie Suit, Miss Mary Crown,
Miss Irene Kailer. Miss Gertrude
O'BPien, Earl Kailer. and Howell
O'Brien viii leave Washington tomor-
row for Hagerstown. Md, where they
viii join party of friends who will ac-
company them to Pen-Mar to spend
several weeks
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

being to get two feet on the ground
heIore the conductor rings two bells.
How to get cf properly" is really n
general, not a feminine, question. In
New York, for instance, you get of
properly by leaping desperately into the
street. If you make one of those
Hanlon Brothers exits the conductor
viii not insult or assault you.
But to suppose that men get off cars
properly" and women don't is like sup
posing that members of finance com
missions are all genuine reformers.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
POWERS DROPS PIES
ON FELLOW-ARTIST

It is related that when George Mac
Manus. the cartoonist. was a bachelor,
he was invited 10 the home Of Mr.. Pow
ers. a fellow-caTtoonist.
MY wife makes lovely custard pies"
remarked Powers to MacManus as they
drove home in carriage. Now. YOU
Just sit here while / 90 upstairs and get
the pies. ] don't believe my wife is
home
In a few minutes Powers appeared at
a fourth-story window with six Gus
taTd pies
Say" he shouted to MacManus,, my
wife's home but here's the pies
And so saying he dropped the half
dozen down on top of MacManus.-
Buffalo Express
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
Nequ FEATURES Found
In Curei.t 6NagaSineS

The sentembe- issue of The Argosy
i,,s.aurates a brand new policy ia Jhe
,,.t-s-,fD of this great fiction magazine
~ has heretofore been part of its plan
-, ,,ri7t one strUuE complete novel In
each issue. but IN the number before us
tbare are two complete novels-a oe-
psrture which the editor announces VIII
he permauent. Among the authors of
;be thirteen short stories i'm the num-
her are two ywrights-Channing Pol
rock and Forrest Hslsey- A new serial
also starts i'm this number, His Handl-
can Mate" by Bertram Lebhar. The
September Argosy is a fund OF the
brightest kind of fiction. II is, from
every standpoint, one of the most en-
ioyabIe magazines of the month.
September Cavalier.
The commanding feature of the Sep
TENDER Cavalier is The Probationer,
a complete novel of extraordinary
dramatic force by Max MARGIN. 1t is
the story Of "a Woman's struggle 60 clear
her name from the cloud os crime OF
which she is innocent, and its treatment
throughout reveals the pen of master
stOry-teller. Miss Jack, of Tibet IS
"a new serial introducing am aIrShlp IN
ing chapters give promise OF story
Of surprising interest. This number
contains a long iustallment OF i. Marion
Crawford last serial, The Indesir-
able GOyerueSS. There are ten short
stories ranging from the dTOll 10 the
dramatic, from the humorous 20 the
pathetic IL rs a magazine fun OF enter
faiuuncuL.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
SHOULD MAN STAY
HOME ON SUNDAYS?
Singletons Divide on Question
and Divorce Is the
Result.

CHICAGO, Aug 4-Divided as to
the question Of whether a man should
stay at home on Sundays, MIR and
Mrs. Jane Monroe Singleton have agreed
to disagree
"A wife stays at home all week,
mends her husband clothing and Is
lonesome: and il is his duty 10 stay
al home Sundays" says Mrs. Singleton.
"A married man struggles al Ween
TO provide a home for his wife, ard
he should have Sunday 10 himself"
is the position taken by Singleton.
Result-The wife has Op,dlpCd a
divorce,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
Lieutenant Colonel French
Authority on Tactics.

John T. French. jr.. as one OF the fore
most authorities on military tactics. He
belonged 10 the roll of medal-of- honor
men. 1t was in the Powder river eXpe-
dition under Crook that ne performed
a daring feat that brought him the COW
eted medal. He was largely responsibla
for evolving the tactics embodied in the
drill regulations of today from the
old Upton tactics. He ranked as an
authority alongside of such able stu
dents OF the art of war as Wagner aRd
others whose works are studied on both
sides Of the Atlantic
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
Capital Tales

T He Hon. John Austin Moon, Demo
cratic member Of the House from
the Third Tennessee district. is an
other Of those good men and true who
are threatened with an exemplification
OF the fact that republics are ungratef1l.
MI Moon is one OF the immortal
t"enty-three who followed the lead OF
representative Fitzgerald Of New York
IN the contest In the House over tl,e
Iuies' lney left the hammer OF Champ
clark and enlisted under the colors of
Uncle joe This has been mucb e,-
plotted down IN the counties Of RIa5soe
dcMinn, Sequatchie, and others v,bo,s
there are still some ancient ana 80
stantial citizens who swear bv TIE
memory Of Andrew Jackson. and there
Is cloud on the political future NJ Mr.
Noon as the result
T. A Embry Of Winchester. Tenn
Carrack man. who has been prominent
in Tennessee politics for wears has
come to the conclusion and has lot
tue Iact be known that any man who
xoted against the overthrow Of ''TTncIe
Joe cannon and the House rules Is
NOT a proper man TO represent the
Ihlro tennessee district In the House
Re says he IS the proper party to be
the Representative. He is acting ac-
cofdihgly' and has already begun 4 nor
campaign against the denomination Of
MOON The test will come IN p rrfr7s ~
next April. IL bids fair to he one ~
the hottest Of the contests which wifi
arise over the attitude of certain Darno
Gratis or the rules fight Moon Is nov
serving MS seventh term in Congress
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

What kind Of part have in the new
piece Is there any chance of my pleas
ing the audience2'
Every chance. You die in the first
act fudge.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

in Wall Street either. but by Venezue-
Ian high fnanciers- No wonder Castro
left the country. What makes it worse.
It appears he stole the stock In the
first place.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

The Hon. William il Stone, Sena-
tor from Missouri, doesn't quite know
which is worse, the insolence of dining
car porters or the late lamented re-
vision Of the tariff.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

James McSorley. of New York. after
long term In prison, hunts sut the
JuTyman who, as he believes. did It, and
Kills him. This isn't calculated to make
the jury business popular. Also it may
make the jurymen insist on better
wages.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
Fight Against Moon
Is Most Interesting

The fight on Representative Moon IN
the Third Tennessee district is the more
interesting because it win be waged on
the issue OF Cannon and anti-Cannon
matters, and on the issue raised BY de-
sertion Of Champ Clark's leadership
moon IS not a novice at politics, ana
mas always had the support of the Re
publican machine in Tennessee when
he needed it. It was IN a previous fight
on Moon that some one was expressing
70 Representative Clayton Of Alabama.
apprehension lest the Tennessee man
be defeated.
Johns a pretty good Democrat" re-
marked Mr.. Clayton He is a fair r.,
middling Populist, and a perfectly good
Republican for all practical purposes.
He'll come back all right
IT is quite possible that application
OF THIS philosophy is in order in the
present contest against Moon
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
MARINE BAND CONCERT ON
WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS
THIS AFTERNOON AT $50 O'CLOCK.
William H. Santelmann, Leader.
PROGRAM

March. Friends Forever p. Mueller
Overture. La Gazza Landra" .Auber
IdyI. The Glow-Worm' ......Lincke
Excerpts from "Siegfried" ... Wagner
Nfusci di Ballet, "Astorga' Albert
.Andante and Largo from symphony
New World ................ Dvorak
March, "GeorgetoV-a University
Lent
The star-spanglad Banner.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

Col. Albert A. Pope, the first manu-
facturer Of bicycles in America. lived
TO see the bicycle change from a nov
city to an everyday piece of mechanism,
within the reach of anyone. Signs are
not wanting the automobile will go
through the same process of evolution.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

Uncle Joe" viii read Gibbon and
Plutarch this summer. But they will
be tame compared to some of the insu--
gent speeches he's been listening to.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
MISS MABEL a. JONES BECOMES
BRIDE OF GEORGE l. CONSTOCK
Quiet Ceremony Said at the
Home Of Brides
Parents.
Bride, Unattended, Is Given
in Marriage by Her
Father.

Miss Mabel A. Jones, daughtF- of Mr..
and Mrs. +. G. Jones, formerly of In
diana. was married to George L Com
stock. this morning at 9 o'clock, in the
home of her parents. at 80 e street
northeast
The ceremony, which was performed
bv the Rev A. H. Thompson, pastor Of
the Waugh NJ. f. Church, was witness
ed by only the members of the imme-
diate family and a few friends.
Quantities of palms, ferns, and clus-
ters of white roses and asters adorned
the paTlors and hail, an altar of tall
palms being arranged in one corner Of
the room, before which Mr.. ComstOck
and his bride stood during the cere-
mony.
The bride, who was unattended, was
given in marriage by her father She
wore a handsome gown Of white chiffon
cloth made princess style, with panel
front and back Of baby Irish lace and
trimmings of valenciennes on the
sleeves and bodice. The bridal bouquet
was a shower Of Bride roses and maid
enhair ferns.
A wedding breakfast followed the
ceremony and Immediately afterwards
Mr.. and Mrs. ComstOck left Washington
for a trip to Philadelphia, Atlantic city,
New York, and Boston, the former home
Of the bridegroom. Mrs. Comstock wore
a becoming three-piece travelling suit Of
mode prunella cloth. with touches of
French blue satin and gold and a black
picture hat trimmed with a black will
low plume
Upon their return, Mr.. and Mrs. Com
stock viii make their home in Washing
ton, where they are both well known
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14
Warmers Chances
Look Much Better.

Senator William Warmers chances oe
being returned to the Senate from Mis-
souri, are looking up. For a time It was
thought he was beaten. But Senator
Warmers friends say he is strong in
the rural districts, that he will be able
to unite the Republican support thor
oughly, and that the Democrats are in
a disrupted and dlsorganized state.
They have not shown any signs thus
Tar Of being able TO senter on a can
didate TO beat Warner. The latter is
popular with the cid soldier element.
having a good war record, and having
risen from private to be major Of
Wisconsin regiment. 1t is quite posi-
Die he VIII get another six-year lease
OF political life from Missouri thereby
helping TO strengthen the hold of the
Republicans on the State. Senator
Warner has made some trouble for
himself among the downward revision
lists in Missouri because he persistently
voted in support of Senator AIdrich on
the tariff bill. On the other hand, he
was under strong pressure TO do this
on account Of the necessity OF looking
out for the zinc, lead, and other in
teTests of his State
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

Anyhow, DIT MCGEE viii have TO ad-
init there's not room for many Rookie
feIlers. They occupy too much nnan-
cial space
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

Former President Castro. Of Vene-
zuela was neeccd of $4,000 worth of
cigarette trust stock. 1t was not done
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-14

It's a duh day that doesn't experience
reports Of a few more heads Topped
eff in the Forest Service or the Interior
Department