davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
ROOseyeIfs Last Word on Commissions


Mr.. Roosevelt, it now appears, signed
the sundry civil bill under vigorous pro-
test II contained several provisions OBJ
noxious to him, the principal being the
the inhibitions on the use OF public funds
for the payment Of any Of the expenses
Of executive commissions. Notwithstand-
ing these provisions Mr.. Roosevelt felt
that he would not be justified in vetoing
a bin carrying appropriations Of impOr-
tance 10 the public service. In a memo
randum accompanying his signature to
the bill, he says that the damage done BY
the Secret Service restriction has been
repaired by the creation Of a second Sc
cret Service division in the Department
Of Justice. Like the Treasury division.
the new branch OF the Secret Service is
not a statutory creation. though indi-
rectly provided for by appropriations. It
will be part of the task Of the new At
torney General to perfect the work Of This
new division.
Most Of the former Presidents memo
randum is devoted TO a defense OF his
policy Of appointing advisory commissions.
Mr.. Roosevelt maintains that the ap-
pointment of such commissions is en-
tirely within the constitutional rights of
the Executive. In this he is supported
by precedents dating back TO the time
OF President Tyler, II not earlier. On the
other hand, Congress has a perfect right
to refuse TO appropriate money for the
expenses or compensation Of Executive
commissions But whether Congress can
go as far as it has apparently done in
the sundry civil bill. and enact a law
curtailing the power Of the Executive TO
organize boards or commissions within
the public service. is quite another ques-
ton. As to army and navy boards, Mr..
Roosevelt contends that the Executive
power is supreme. The Congress-" he
says, ''can no more forbid the President
10 use the services Of officers OF employees
when they act in concert as a board or
council than II can forbid him to use their
services when they act as individuals"
We are not SO sure that this principle is
applicable to boards or commissions ap-
pointed from civil employees Of the gov
ernment. such as the Keep Commission
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

The point involved here has been referred.
we believe. TO the Attorney General for
an opinion
The case OF commissions made up OF cit
liens appointed from private life. how
ever, is on a somewhat different footing
Mr.. Roosevelt insists that the Executive
has right to seek advice from qualified
and patriotic citizens willing to serve free.
Mr.. Taft has already indicated his pur-
pose to continue the conservation COM
mission. which Congress was unwilling
to recognize at the last session. Prob
ably when enmities have cooled down.
under the persuasive influence Of our new
Executive, Congress will think better OF
this important commission and give II
a legal and permanent status 4 be-
ginning has been made in the creation Of
the waterways commission. 70 take over
that part Of the conservation commits
sion's work having to do with navigable
streams. Il may be hoped. also. that
Congress viii acknowledge its error In
putting the Council OF Fine Arts under
the ban. on the mistaken assumption that
its functions would supersede those OF
Congress. In no respect Is the National
Legislature more In need OF advice and
assistance than in matters OF art
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

proper relation to the estimates OF reve-
nue.. but it is hardly the duty Of the
Executive to exercise that control over
the public purse which is by the Consti-
tuition lodged IN the more popular branch
OF the legislature. The responsibility for
the budget should be assumed and jeal-
ously guarded by the House as its ex-
elusive prerogative. But 1t is evident
that this responsibility has been slipplne
away. and that It Is being taken up with
avidity elsewhere. The Senate budget
is an institution which should
have been established long ago In the
House. In the place of the moribund
on expenditure. which now
play, for the most part, paper role
there. The vigor with which the Senate
has grasped the budgetary problem is
fresh evidence Of its parliamentary supe-
riority over the m-regulated popular
branch.
The new Senate creation. however, de-
serves commendation on every ground
That a budget committee can effect great
economies IN government expenditure is
undoubted. 1t can also bring order out
OF the whole governmental fiscal system,
introduce a consistent policy Of expendi-
ture for public works. and apportion the
expenditures properly between borrowed
income and that raised by taxation. II
may be able to do away with the anomaly
OF raising more money than the govern
ment needs. on the one hand. and spend
ing more money than the government
raises. on the other In brief It viii
have 10 DO with the fundamentals OF gov
ernmental finance. The House leaders
should bestir themselves and establish a
like committee
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Not a Radical Tnrin Bill

From the indianapolis News
There certainly Is nothing radical about
the tariff bill introduced recently in the
House The great bulk Of the present
duties are left untouched. A few articles
have been added 10 the free list. the
most important being hides and iron ore
other duties. notably those IN the steel
schedule, have been reduced. while stin
others have been increased. these in
creases, however. being made. according
TO Mr.. Payne, solely for the sake Of reve-
nue.. But Of the bill as a whole. It must
be said that the burden it imposes on
the people Is about the same they now
carry. OF course. there Is recognition Of
the demand for a reduction. and IL is said
that the committee was not greatly i'm
pressed by the arguments OF the special
interests. But IL must be remembered that
this bin is only a basis for trading, and
that ali the trading WIN be upward. It
will not take many such changes, and
some changes are certain. to make the bin
quite as Objectionable as the Dingley
tariff
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
The Dinner to Mr.. Parker.

Prom the New Orleans Piesyune.
People OF New Orleans. 10 all of whom
Mr.. Parker is so vel known. are well
aware that any enterprise in which he
takes an interest is earnestly and ener-
getically promoted. hence the general sen
timent viii be that the compliment paid
him by his Washington friends and CO.
workers was eminently merited. The en-
terprise which he had undertaken 10
carry TO a successful consummation is no
small matter and will involve the raising
Of large sums OF money, a task which VIII
call into play ali of Mr.. Parker's energy
and enthusiasm. II viii be generally rec
ognized. however. that he will succeed
IL any man can. his extensive acquaint-
ance throughout the South and his uni
versal popularity being certain 10 make
comparatively easy for him an undertake
ing that might well appall most other
people.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Philanthropy in Home Building.

Several New York millionaires are TAX
ing active interest in the problem Of
housing the poor and the afflicted. Hen
ry Phipps is building a number OF model
.tenements; Mrs. W. X. Vanderbilt is
planning the erection of sanitary buildings
designed especially for consumptives. and
now Mrs. Russell Sage and others have
formed an association for the construc-
ton of English two-family houses in
Queens Borough. These will cover forty
eight acres Generous philanthropy OF
that order would rejoice the hearts OF
the Presidents homes commission. which
has so elaborately shown the necessity
for more and better dwellings for the
humber workers Of this community. In
no way can money be so well expended
as in providing comfortable homes for
people Of moderate income. It is form
OF philanthropy which does not pauper-
ize; in fact, it may be made 10 yield
a fair dividend, and in any event is self
supporting and self-perpetuating
There are practically no buildings go
ing up in Washington that may be rent
ed for less than 81 a month. and decent
apartments at less than that price are
difficult TO obtain. The Washington Hous-
ing Company has under way a group Of
small two-family fats, but money comes
slowly for enterprises that yield but (
per cent as does stock in this company.
The rise in the value Of land and in the
price Of building material, taken together
with the high and rigid requirements OF
the building regulations, has greatly in
creased the capital needed TO finance
cheap buildings. The homes commission
has advised some changes in the build
ing regulations that will cheaper con-
struction of small buildings without less
ening their safety. comfort, or sanitary
value These are under consideration by
the proper authorities. and, If adopted.
will relieve to some extent the difficulties
in the way of providing cheaper and bet
ter homes for manual workers.
But the main trouble is lack Of capt.
tai, and for this we must look to those
who have ample means. and Will be con-
tent with moderate returns on a safe and
permanent investment. To such the erec-
ton Of model tenements ought TO appeal
as affording opportunity for doing good
work without at the same time doing
an injury to the self-respect or under
mining the self-dependence Of the bene-
fciaries.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Last pitchers on the Bench.

EluLu Llc DalLl1nQTt Nilrs
Luke z. Wright for Chief Justice OF
the United States Supreme Court?
Hardly. Not just yet. II Chief Justice
Fuller and Justice Harlan know what
they are about There are no vacancies
IN the Supreme Court In order TO per
nit President Taft 10 reward HIS friend,
the former Secretary Of War. With ar
appointment 10 that body. some one must
resign. II was Justice Harlan. that rare
old iurist, noted for dissenting opinions
in such succulent language. who voiced
the sentiment OF the court upon the
question OF Secretary wright,s advance
ment- Wright viii hardly be appointed
Chief Justice" he said in answer TO
friend. Fuller Is not going 20 resign
They passed 10 other topics. and the
friend and said goodnight
You know" called Justice Harlan.
halfway across the street. as II he had
forgotten it in the first instance, Fuller
and ! have decided that Wen let them
take US OF feet foremost. Goodnight"
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Notes on Inauguration Ball.

From Harper's Weekly.
The ball was not a ball; Il was sort
OF promenade concert. and the big band
certainly did play to beat itself. The
people were interesting. More women in
the thirtieS wear eyeglasses thar for
merly. Very few know how TO do their
hair becomingly. All dress most decor
ously. Two inches OF the top OF a waist
constitutes lOw-necked gown. and open
work stockings are rare: but perhaps that
was because II was so cold The num-
Der OF red-headed women was disap-
pointngly small. Most Of the girls looked
as IL they had come from normal schools
The whOlesomeness OF their appearance
afforded partial recompense for the av'-
fulness OF their voices Manners were
generally pretty bad. even among those
In high places, who kept getting in front
OF the President. Mr.. Hitchcock Is a
good dancer. He viii probably get mar
ried during his term.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Our Merchant Marine

From the Buffalo Tines
Plainly the Merchant Marine League
has forgotten the lesson read It two OF
three weeks ago by Banker Henry Clews.
when he exposed the sham OF all this hue
and cry about America having no mer-
chant ships The American flag does not
wave from the masthead OF anything IN
the way OF an American merchant ma
rine." moan the subsidy propagandists.
No; the American flag does not. and that
Is exactly the trouble We are sailing
American-Owned ships under foreign
flags, and We are doing IT because II the
real strength Of the American merchant
marine were known there would be an
end TO any pretext for ship subsidy.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Good for Tennessee!

Our hat is off 10 the Old Volunteer
State-off and up in the air accompanied
by cordial and a cheerful ''hurrahr'
We are sure. in the average mind,
Tennessee has done the unexpected
thing. It has fourd Robin Cooper and
his father guilty OF murder in the sec
ond degree for Staying the late Senator
Carmack. and fixed their punishment at
twenty years Imprisonment. The verdict
was eminently generous and merciful 10
the defendants. They had no real right
70 expect so much in righteousness and
honest civic decency. as we view their
case in its entirety.
OF the two men. we have fer a spark
Of sympathy for the younger alone
While he did the actual shooting. we
believe he was impelled 10 it more
through the influence Of his father than
through the promptings of a naturally
abandoned. malignant, and vicious na-
ture. We doubt that he had within him
any large measure OF that quality Of
malice necessarily incidental 10 murder
in the highest degree. OF the other man
We entertain precisely the contrary idea.
So, while Robin Cooper may be getting
an equitable sentence, his father is
surely escaping lightly. ali things con-
sidered- At least. the result. as approx
Imately satisfactory as it is. may justify
giving the young man the benefit Of the
doubt. though it cannot suggest any such
thing in respect Of the man primarily
responsible for the assassination.
And what shall we say Of that jury
now? Two-thirds OF It could not read
or write-an Of it was rated ignorant"
And yet. it was evidently composed Of
men-real men-whO saw their plain,
honest duty and dared 70 do it We con-
gratulate every member OF IT, All the
virtue Of this world is not encompassed
within the souls OF cultured and edu-
Gated people; even a juryman who can
not read or write can do his country
a patriotic turn. That jury. perhaps,
did not realize fully what a grand thing it
was doing FOR law and order and right
living and morality and purity.
or course, the end is not yet. Already
technical pleas are being framed to re-
verse and set at naught this splendid
work. Polished. skilled. and astute law
yers-highly educated and OF marked
intelligence-wil now have their say as
TO the administration OF justice in Ten
nessee. quite a different quality OF
brains is 10 take the Cooper appeal in
hand. Fine points Of grammar, obscure
problems Of punctuation, ifs, ands, why
fores. and whereases are 10 be the new
order OF the day And it will be inter
esting 10 observe the ultimate outcome;
it will be entertaining-even though II
give us many anxious moments-to watch
and see If the very smart and truly cru
dite manhood Of Tennessee proves as
stanchly equal TO the demands Of impair
tial. impersonal. and discriminating JUS
tice as this nliterate jury has proven.
Let the verdict stand. II means much
very much-not alone TO Tennessee. but
to the South, the East, the West, and
the North
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
DEAL IN TA2IFF BILLi
Ugly Charges Relating to OF sehed-
uIe and Beer Tax.

uIe and Beer Tax.
washingtoa eorrespondence New YORK Journal q
Commercs.
In connection with the apparent defects
OF the bin as a revenue producer, ugly
charges are fying about the Capitol
It IS alleged that the duty on beer
was 10 have been increased. but that this
was refrsined from in return for votes
cast on the side OF the House organiza-
ton Ia the rules fight One member Of
the House, who claims 20 have been ap-
preached by representatives Of the brew
ers, said; a representative OF beer men
told me on the eve OF the contest over
the organization Of the House that II Can
non rules should win. the beer tax would
be unchanged If Cannon was defeated.
the tax would be put up 70 H-5a He
wanted me 10 vote for the old rules.
He seemed very positive IN hts informa-
tion. and al that time I understood Il had
been determined 20 make the tax s1.50
The inference would seem to be justified
that the restoration OF the tax 20 81 had
some relation 20 the fight over the rules
The Congressman who made this state
ment would not permit the use Of his
name. but he is said 20 have made II 70
a number Of members, both Democratic
and Republican. and the matter IS ex-
Dected 70 be the subject OF further in
quiry.
The couniervalling duty on petroleum
and its products was also the subject of
much comment and investigation. Until
the very eve OF the tariff bill construction
IL was said with the utmost confidence
that this cOuntervailing duty was re-
moved-that IS. that petroleum was placed
actually on the free list. instead OF only
nominally.
At noon on Tuesday a Western oil man,
who was in Washington in the effort 20
get the countervailing duty restored. made
the positive statement that the duty mad
been stricken out and was still out. He
regretted the fact on the ground Il would
De a serious blow at producers IN this
country, because il might let in the oil OF
Russia and Mexico and injure The market
for thar product al home.
Bad as 4 was. however. the OIL men
said the countervailing duty was removed.
Il was expected at that time that the
tairt1 bin would be reported within an
hour or two. Instead. delay was taken
for one day. the bin being held for
twenty-four hours. and when IL was re-
ported. It contained the provision for the
cOuntervailing duty
Democrats and a great many Repub-
Hcans threatened TO insist upon detailed
explanations as 10 when and why these
changes were made. charging that both
the beer tax and petroleum duty were
involved in the deal for support OF the
Cannon rules. OF course. there Is as yer
no positive evidence on any Of these
points. but the charges are being freely
made and are as yet uncontradicted.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
ROOSEVELT AS EDITOR.
overwhelmed with Letters and TeIe-
grams from Friends

from FEttnoe-
From the Outlook
wednesday Of last week was Mr..
Rooseyelts Inauguration day as one OF
the editors Of the Outlook. Mr.. ROose-
Welt spent the day with his colleagues
OF the stan OF the Outlook. part OF the
tine In the regular weekly editorial con-
ference. discussing the topics which are
treated editorIally in this issue Of the
paper. part OF the time in receiving Wis
itors. and part Of the time in reading
and debating answers TO few OF the
enormous number OF letters that he has
received. As to these letters, Mr.. Roose-
welt asks Us TO say a word. Letters and
kilograms have been received by him
from all parts OF the country and from
foreign countries in such numbers-there
have been literally thousands of them
that Il Is physically impossible for him 20
give them the personal attention and the
individual reply which he would IKE 10
give In each case The expression OF
personal friendship and affection which
these letters have brought. not only
from acquaintance. but from men and
women he has never known or seen, has
touched him greatly. He wishes that he
could say this 10 each correspondent IN
dividually. and that he could thank those
who have paid him the compliment OF
inviting him TO address societies or other
gatherings. or 10 join various movements
and organizations for the public good;
but the brief time that remains before
his departure for Africa must largely be
devoted 10 the work Of arranging his per
sonal affairs and making the necessary
preparations for the trip. He Is COM
PEELED 10 take this means OF acknowl-
edging the kindness OF many OF his cor
respondents and Of assuring them that
his appreciation Of their friendiiness and
confidence is as genuine as is his regret
that he cannot make a personal acknowl-
edgmenf
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Blow at spoiIs schemes.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The noneompetitive examination for
which the Crumpaeker bin originally pro
vided was. as the President said. merely
a cloak 70 hide the nakedness OF the
spoils system. II placed virtually no
check whatever upon the distribution OF
petty salaried Offices among uhe pro-
tsges OF Congressman AS Senator Ray
ner said, in discussing the Lodge amend
ment on January s. the noncOmpetitive
procedure merely means. when ranaiyzed.
that there are 4S3 Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress. and that these
1900 offices, or whatever the number may
be. are 20 be substantially distributed
among them" The action OF the House
on Thursday has dealt another body blow
az the best-laid schemes OF the politicians.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
old Cleveland ISLANDERS Forgotten.

ffun the New \ orE Globe
While living. at one time half Of the
American people seemed TO believe that
Mr. Cleveland was a stupid. ignorant man
whose occupancy o. the White House
would degrade IL A few years later the
other half. consisting OF a majority OF
those who had voted for him three times.
seemed 70 think that he had betrayed
the public IN the interest OF an unscrup-
ulous money power. Where are these
ISLANDERS OF yesterday Either they were
never believed In any real sense or the
beiief IN them was a mere temporary
mental distemper- Other public men
when they are misjudged. may gather re-
assurance as they see how AIr. Cleveland
weathered HIS storms.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
DIRGE FOR A POET.

] ponder on a broken late
The fragment Of a song.
And wonder If the soul be mute.
On II heavenly thr0ug
Or harmOnies and mighty themes
Proclaim his Interrupted dreams
The wisful thought. the hidden dre.
The darkling prophecies.
The passion and the brave desire
That liz his startled ewes;
Oh. viii that broken music reach
Through large fulhllment into speech.
Ard shall meet him oucs again
Upon the endless wayl
East Of the sun where CLEANS the plain
That knows not night OF day:
And ia the calm untrUubls land
VIII his Wild spirit understGndi
PerchEnce tomorrow western wind
May bear 70 oceans dim
Mysterious clouds snczrnadined
But never one ike him.
Shall Nature stop the march Of spheres
Because Of few foolish tezrss
Once only Nature breathes each note
That builds The song of time:
No more acruss the skies viii fcat
That tender sunset chime
] loved: ard in the Eastern s<ies
A million morning stars arise
Maurice Barring. IL Loving Ags.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

Senator Smith. Of South Carolina. went
UP TO see the President yesterday, and
lost his hat in consequence" says the
Charleston Post. Senators have been
known TO lose their heads in that local.
ity. too-but not lately.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
Candid Criticism.

New York Is a very busy town New
Workers have no time 10 fool away
"Oh. dunno. commented the visitor.
a ten-story building going up IN New
York. where they have hundreds Of EN-.
attracts more attention than Il would IN
PlUnkville. where they haven't any"
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
sized I'd.

Yes" remarked the fat man on the
rear platform, Il once refused 70 buy the
site OF Chicago for four claIa shells and
quart OF rum
The tall passenger was silent
I could have bought the original tele-
phone patents for eleven Mexican dollars
and a brass watch" continued the Fat
man, but turned EN- down"
No response.
You are not interested in my reminis-
censes. friend?"
I am not" answered the tail man can
didly. I'm ceiling Air Ship stock. You
don't want any"
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

AT any rate. Roosevelt was President
while he was occupying the White House:
we admire him for that" says the Ogle-
thorpe (Ga.) Echo. He was that very
thing-and then some,
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

we learn with surprise that Mr. Roose-
welt is TO have only three rooms at the
Outlook Offices" says the Richmond
Times Dispatch. Well, probably there are
not any more
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
a Riotous Growth.

Vegetation runs riot along the ANA
zon"
"So?"
Yes: a scene in that resion looks just
IKE an Easter hat
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
ALITTLE NONSENSE.
AnETrER PLAN.

Ia Ike TO ape the hero in play
To travel life in awe-inspiring way
Refuse TO sign the papers
Perform heroic .capers,
And rescue lovely damsels every day.
But when I get TO dreaming at my work
The boss AYERS that l am bat a shirk.
My chances stand al zero
To set TO be a hero
I guess I'll try TO be a better clerk
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

The new collector at Charleston Is
said TO be fine golf player" notes the
Macon Telegraph. Primarily. however.
his complexion commends him the most
The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
In Our Boarding House.

Why do the Newlyweds talk so much
about going TO housekeeping? II they
want 10 go. why don't they go?'
Its a scheme 10 scare the landlady-
Notice how they now get the best sections
OF chicken"