davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY.

The federal Commissioner of Cor
pOratiOns is doubtless right in his Opin-
ion that employers liability for injuries
10 their employees is bound TO be gen
orally established as a specific provision
Of statute law in addition 10 the some
what vague provisions Of the old com
mon law. 1t will probably not be nee
essary 10 embOdy the principle in the
federal Constitution, or even in state
constitutions, as he suggests that il may
be. Statute law will suffice Such legiS-
latiOn has already been enacted in more
than one state, and the inclination tow
ard it is increasing in all directions.
1t is TO be doubted if Mr. Smith is
correctly reported. however. as saying
that employers "as a rule" think il
cheaper TO fight accident claims than
10 provide proper preventives against
accident. There are probably some who
do think that, and years ago there were
probably many more. But we must be-
leve that the majority OF employers are
to-day not only too humane but also too
shrewd TO take such a view of the sub
ject. For they know that injuries TO
employees not only subject them TO dam
age suits, but also create a popular sen
timent against the employers who are
responsible for them, and interrupt and
interfere with business. From the most
practical point OF view 1t pays for EN-
ployers TO take good care of their EN-
plOyes' lives and health.
The liability OF the employees them
selves, moreover. is an important phase
OF the matter. Mr.. Smith in discussing
the subject referred 10 the recent dis.
aster at the mine at Cherry, ILL., The
responsibility for that tragedy is not
YET positively fixed, and we have
20 inclination TO forecast the ultimate
verdict. But it is notorious that many
mine disasters-which are among the
most destructive in the industrial world
have been caused by the workmen
themselves through their deliberate and
peryerse violation OF the rules for
safety which have been laid down by
their employers. Any miner will testify
that the rules against smoking in mines
are often broken and that safety lamps
are at times misused So as TO destroy
their efficiency. Yet il IA disaster occurs
through such practices the blame is in-
stinctively laid upon the mine owners
or managers.
The problem OF justly fixing respon.
sibility for every mishap in Industrial
occupations is complicated and difficult.
and IL may never be possible fully 10
solve H. The most that can fairly be
asked Of employers would seem To be
that they use all practicable means for
safeguarding the lives and health of
their employees, not from all the ills TO
which flesh is heir. hut simply from the
special dangers which are involved in
their employment, and that they shall
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
TRIAL REFORM IN FRANCE.

The notorious Steinheil trial in Paris
has actually caused a certain reform of
judicial procedure in French courts, and
may lead TO more through parliamen-
tary enactment. The actual and pros
pective changes do not involve any radi-
cal transformation of the fundamental
principles OF French Jurisprudence. or
even of procedure, but simply some
notifications of details of practice,
more particularly the attitude Of the
Judge and the prosecutor toward the
prisoner and the privileges of the wit
nesses when under examination before
juge Construction.
Henceforth the judge, according TO the
practice which has been begun in Paris,
is TO be merely a judge and not prose
cutting examiner. His scrutiny or
prisoner or witness is 10 be confined 10
ascertainment of identity, the actual
questioning being left TO the public
prosecutor. When a witness is sum-
moned before juge diHSfructiOn he
or she is to be privileged 10 enjoy the
assistance of counsel. And finally, per
haps most interesting OF all thus far, the
public prosecutor is not hereafter 10 be
regarded or to act as a professional ac-
cuser or as an inquisitOr who regards
the prisoner as certainly guilty. but
rather as a minister of justice whose
mission is not necessarily TO convict the
prisoner, but TO ascertain the truth, and
who is bound on his honor and con
science not TO press charge unless he
sincerely considers IL 10 have been con-
yincingly proved.
These changes will produce a welcome
reform in French procedure. and a gen
eral adoption of the last mentioned
would be equally welcome in this cOm-
try. Sometimes. for example in murder
trials which are exploited in a sensa
tiOnal way, a prosecuting attorney has
appeared 10 be filled with personal ami
mus against the prisoner and TO be de-
termined to convict him If possible, re-
gardless OF the facts in the case. To
that end every device of the law is en-
ployed TO introduce or TO exclude testi-
mOny. When litigants are fencing for
pecuniary advantage In civil suit such
procedure, repellant as even then il may
be, is not so serious as it is in a capital
case. But when a mans life is at stake
il is abhOrrent TO see public prosecutor
apparently determined TO convict him,
by hook or by crook. And, of course, 10
say that in every case the prosecutor
was entirely and conscientiously con
vinced OF the prisoners guilt would be
to impute 10 him a discernment and a
prescienoe unique among men. The rule
of procedure which has now been adopt
ed by at least some of the public prose
cutors OF France is. In fact. the rule
which should be universally observed.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
MR.. oAYNoR's WORK CUT OUT.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: You are disclosing an astonishing Z
state OF affairs In our city bridge and lesai
departments In tine matter OF that famous
BlackweIPs Island Bridge. and you are
likewise performing a public service OF no
mean moment. Mayor-elect Gaynor.. let US
hope. will read IT, These are his depart
ments-i. e.. they will come under his con-
troll.
Mr.. Mitchell. Of the Commissioners Of Ac-
counts. in preparing TO lay down the tasks
of office has stated that an investigation
Of the Water supply Department would
have to be the work of hts successors. why
not include the bridge and legal depart
ments? Throw few stink pots that way
and smoke out possibly other opinions and
actions as inimical to the city as those you
have disclosed.
Controller Metz is deserving OF much
praise for the aggressive stand he has
taken in the face OF unificatiOn Of inter
est on the part OF the Mayors two ap-
pointees involved in their efforts 70 hush
up a scandal In his own official family
How absurd a proposition that the finan-
cial officer Of the city should be made de-
pendent on a mayors appOintee for legal
advicel Is il likely that the other ap-
POihteeS CdH' Ai MS eJC'' NO any 'iiiii5 i
gal?
Judge Gaynor's work is cut out TO the
extent Of smelling out the rOttenness that
exists in these two nests and Of roofing out
the dehlers-perhaps even annulling other
abuses now operative against the city.
Does this disclosure Of yours convey any
moral To tile Charter Revision Committee
from Albany-thOse earnest seekers after
wrongs? NEW YORKER.
New York. Nov q. 1903.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
rHE COST or PRIMARIES.

The cost Of the recent primary election
ir Maryland. al which Senator Isidor
Rayner was renominated for the Senate
nv the Democratic voters. is being cited
as an argument against the direct
method Of nominations. For instance,
THE Boston Transcript" says:
That the direct primary" system ex-
empts candidates from putting their
hands into well filed pockets and abb
solves them from paying biz bills s. a
delusiOn which Senator Rayner. Of
Maryland, for one VIII not share
Though his denomination was unop-
posed in the Democratic primaries. he is
now called upon 10 pay $4,000 FOR the
services of judges. clerks, etc. in the
primaries. The Maryland law puts this
burden on the candidate. and though all
the judges and other primary officials
loved Senator Rayner they loved their
emoluments more.
The suggestion thus made is that any
I,lan for nominating Senators or state
officials at a primary election il likely
10 involve a serious drain on the re-
sources Of the candidates. Senator Ray
neT's unpleasant experience does not
prove that however. He suffered chiefly
because Of the inadequacy of the Mary
land urinary. which is a private party
venture and not a form Of election con
troiled and operated by the state. There
Is no Maryland law compelling Sena-
torial primaries 10 be held. and the Re
1,ublicans do not hold them. BY the
Democrats the choice for senator r.
made on Election Day and the Demo
cratic State Committee designates the
regular Democratic poll officials or other
persons 10 receive the ballots Of Demo
Gratis, put them in a separate box and
count them, making return 10 the
clairma Of hestate committee. FOrtheir
services the poll officers receive a mod
crate compensation, which must be met
by the candidates competing for the
nomination. Had three competed this
year the expense 10 each would have
been little over S5,333. Mr.. Rayner,
having 40 opposition, had 10 bear the
entire expense Of $4,000
Undoubtedly that II a large sum 10 be
assessed on candidate for a Senate
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
THE TALK OF THE DAY.

The negro elevator boy in an uptown
apartment, Overfond of big words OF the
meaning OF which he hadn't the least idea.
had been sent by an eighth floor tenant
10 find watch fob she had dropped out
OF window
us dis what you wanted, ma'am?' he
asked as he handed over the pieces. And
he added, as he gleefully accepted the
expected tip: Was it in dat dissected
condition when you drapt it. ma'am?"
What was that noise that sounded like
a gigantic tire eXplOding?'
Why. the football team Just broke
training kansas city Times.
At meeting of teachers in London. Dr.
Cunningham. head OF the Municipal Dem
tai Institute for Children, at Cambridge.
England. recommended the formation of
toothbrush clubs. Even If the brushes
are far from being IDEAL" DR. Cunning
ham said. the result is invariably bene-
fetal At Cambridge we start with the
youngest child. and once we have treated
child We assume the responsibility of
keeping its teeth in good condition until
il leaves school-without recourse to for
ceps.'
After Sunday school:
Wiie-Did you hear that boy swear
Johnny. when L told him to go away
JOhnny-NO (Quietly persuasiVel Tell
him 10 go away again-and I'll listen
Manchester Guardian.
Court records show many odd causes OF
suits. but probably Baltimore gets the
palm for a novelty in that line A woman
resident OF the Monumental city has
brought action against an Ohio soap com
pany because in washing her hands she
tore a cash in her hand on a nail con-
cealed in the cake she was using. She
asks only $4,000 What would have been
the claim had she dug a chunk out Of
her face?
TommymPop. which is correct; Il shaI''
my son. A man says Il shall" and a
woman says Il will."-Philadelphia Rec
ord.
In letter from Genoa in the "Giornale."
OF Rome, correspondent says: Famous
stage tenors have been recruited from
nearly all walks OF life. Among those
who attained great favor We find a farmer.
blacksmith. cab driver, physician. shoe
maker. merchant. man OF leisure. etc The
list may now be extended 10 include a monk
Francesca Burron. who made his debut as
Manrico. In 'Trovatore.' last week. was.
until he deserted to take up the stage as a
profession. member OF the Franciscan
Order and one OF the community in the
Monastery at Turin"
so you regard that explorers loss NJ
temper as evidence In his faVor?'' said
one scientist
Yes" replied the other. 1T indicates
that ne mas spent 50 much time in arctic
loSallties that he Is tired OF keeping cool
washington sun.
portrait bust. heroic in size aud erect
ed on an artistic pedestal. OF Marie Wut
In the part OF Norma was unveiled last
week in the foyer of the Royal Opera
House, at Vienna. wit died in 1891 after
a brilliant career. but the acceptance of
the bust by the management was. never
theless, great surprise TO the patrons
OF the opera. because previously no woman
had been honored In that way.
'Arry-Wot's yer 'urry, Bug
bh-IEe got TO go To work.
Arry-Workf Why. wot's the nnat,sr
trated Bits. iiu'-
Captain Robert A. Bartlett who com
manded the steamer Roosevelt ON us
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

pay an appropriate penalty for the con-
sequences of their neglect to do so. Be
yond that. the employees should reaiize
the fact that no precaution which can
be taken is efficient in the face or per
versity or folly. Work in coal mine
Is inevitably more hazardous than work
i'm a flower garden. 1t may be- a de-
batable point whether the Inevitable
risks which remain after all precautions
are taken should be assumed by the
employer or by the employe, or should
be divided between them. It Is not 10
be questioned that the employer who neg
lects to provide a safety lamp, ana the
employe who opens a safety lamp IN
the gas-choked depths OF the pit TO iight
his pipe from the naked fame, are
equally responsible for whatever dls-
aster may result from their action.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
DENIES ROCKEFELLER GIFT.
DR.. Butterick Sets at Rest $50, OOO,OOO
Shanghai University Rumor.

DR.. Butterick. secretary OF the General
Education Board. said yesterday at the
Sunday school rooms OF the Fifth Avenue
Baptist Church that John ID. Rockeielier
was not contemplating the gift OF Soe.0VV'-
0O0 with which TO found a university IN
Shanghai, China. A rumOr that he wouid
give this sum was printed IN several papers
recently. but Or. Butterick said.
There is no truth In the runor. II MI.
Rockefeller contemplated any such thing
would know about 10. This rumOr has been
floating about for the last three years. and
although Mr.. Rockefeller has always taksA
a keen interest In the educational problems
OF the Chinese Empire. he makes al ms
gifts through Chicago University. WIN
which he Is closely connected
The rumor gained general credence ~
one time. when Mr.. Rockefeller set aside
fund OF $4,000. 600 for general educationai
purposes. but this Is the first time ths'
anybody In touch with the philanthropis'
has taken occasion TO make spectre us-
uiaI
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
a CALL FOR HIS BROTHERS

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; Please try and find out the address,
OF my brother. Francis Leyden. or Peter
Henderson. He left Gore Bridge about 1SSs
lie was a collier or miner here. He went
to West Virginia. have not had any news
from him since he left.
Another brother. Patrick I.eyden. went to
JON him seventeen years ago last March
Since he left Glasgow / have had no news
OF MIN either. am anxious To hear from
Them "a there have been a lot of deaths.
Mother and brother and sister and other
relatives have passed away since they left
this country. and they would want 10 hear
about II II they are living themselves 1
hope you will try and find their address
Tor me- and oblige their brother.
THOMAS LEYDEN.
Glasgow. Scotland. Nov. ID. 1903.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
THE COST OF WARFARE.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir. In supplementatiOn of what was 50
we'll said at the peace luncheon as to war
being a roofing out Of the best of na-
ton and leaving only the least virile 10
breed another generation, permit me to
state that in the last century there were
slain in war 100000 young men whose
yearly productive power would amount to
s.. 200 600. 600 and this. in forty years. would
have added TO the worlds wealth $20S.O0o,-
coo 900, nearly twice the total wealth OF the
United States. And again we have to note
that Of the total national debts Of the
world. amounting to S34.6SS .4Os. almost
the whole is ehargeable 10 war and mill
tarism.
Those OF our people who believe in MAX
ing this mighty military nation may note
what natiOnalism-that is 10 say, an eXag-
gerated national consciOusness-cOmbin
with militaTism IS doing for Germany.
Surely. such a spirit is anti-Christian and
utterly opposed to a right. altruistic and
world federation movement.
Let us not forget that the Monroe Doe
trine was established by US when we had
no great navy and without the firing OF a
shot. and that the "Open door, was Sc
cured By the confidence I'm and respect for
the justice and good intentions OF the
American people ESQ clearly shown In the
matter OF the Boxer indemnity. and this
influence would only have been diminished
had We gone to China making a demand
from the decks of our battIeships.
We. as country. are In less danger than
is any other from war complications. and
therefore W. are less excusable for keep
ing up the 'Dreadnought craze" We have
a peaceful United States; why not a peace
ful united world?
JOSIAH G. PUMPEIIY.
New York Nov %. 1863.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

cruise with Commander Peary, IL com
piling the data which he collected. and
win soon make use OF the Interesting m
formation in a lecture. He was a keen
observer while in the far north. ana
friends TO whom he has spoken OF the Es-
quiInaus. the country where they live. their
habits. and the life on board the Roose-
veIt. and to whom he has shown the ex-
cellent pictures which illustrate DIS
stories. have induced him 20 prepare Tor
the platform. now that Mr.. Peary mas
announced that he will not enter the
lyceum field.
ct wish some one would endow a home
for poor actors. -. -,
why? Some Of the poorest actors dra"
the largest salaries"
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

Washington. Nov. 2s.-Ths State Depart
ment to-day received a cable dispatch from
the Gillian Minister for Foreign Affairs
stating that the Spanish version OF the
protocol between the United States and
Chill, referring the AlsOp claim TO arhi-
tratiOn, had been sent 10 Washington for
verihcatiOn. Both governments have agreed
20 the proposition that King Edward Be
arbiter IN the dispute. which involves dam
ages 10 an American syndicate OF more
than 100000: and while no formal at
tempt has been made to discover whether
the British monarch will act. II - be-
Heved here that he will accept the task.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

Mr.. Winston Churchill seems to be an
apt disciple of Alphonse karr. Ihat
witty F'renchman was once assailed by
woman with a carving knife. Without
ceasing to smoke the cigarette which was
between his lips, he gently removed the
"vorpal blade from her grasp. and later
hung IL upon his study wall with an
appropriate inscription. Mr.. Churchill
was the other day assailed by suffer
ing suffragette" with dog whip. With
out removing the smile from his genial
countenance he took the whip from her
and put 1t into his pocket and carried it
about for the rest OF the day. the lash
hanging from his pocket. Against such
antagonists even the most militant suf-
fragettes must fight in vain.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
EPIscoPALIANS GET $4,000.
Clergymen' Pension Fund Reaches
SSO0.00O Point.

From out OF the West came gif' o'
$4,000 TO help a pension fund for Epls0V
ral clergymen Just In time for the Ne.
DT. j. j. wilkins TO announce II at 'a'
morning service yesterday I'm 81 6eo'ss
Church. IN Stuyvesant Square. fhe 81.
was the first large one received. anu Esi'
the fund to SoOO0O. thc speaker said
The entire fund Is 60 be S.Wo.e'' anu
IN charge OF a general commission m'. mcieI
ing Colonel r. \ stevens. OF Casue 49,"
Thomas Nelson PAGE and J. Pierpoht nv.
gan. Until yesterday the amount seos' s' -.
had been $1,000 In money and Si'"u"
pledges. The new fund Is TO enable un'
tirement witt an adequate pension AZ ~
age OF sixty-rour years OF all Ep'S''F
clergymen.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

Rio de Janeiro. Nov. 2S.-The lorna,
do COmmerciO" publishes to-day A ron,
and one-half column statement OF ths
AlsOp claim which was sent by cabl.
from the State Department at Washing
ton TO the American Ambassador here.
and several Of the other papers print
large excerpts. indicating the interest
which the promise OF arbitration has
aroused. All the papers express salts
faction that an amicable arrangement
has been reached by the United States
and Chill for settlement OF the ques-
tiOn.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
ALS0P ARBITRATION
Request Not Yet Laid Before
King Ed1uard.

London. Nov. 28.-Replying 70 a ausr,
whether King Edward had consentas o.
arbitrate the Alsop claim. Lord KnoIlv,
secretary TO his majesty. to-day sen.
message from Sandringham. whers -.
King is staying. saying: "The rnat,a-
has not been officially brought before "a.
King" A dispatch from Santiago sav.
that the request will be made tbrou-h,
the charge d'afraires Of the Gillian T.
CATION in London
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
MRS. 3. c. OGDEN RECOVERING

II was announced AT the home OF MS
Robert G. Ogden. No. rs East oo'h 81 -
last night that she would ProoSo'S
cover from dangerous attack OF 80
monia from which she has been snne''As
1t was said she had passed the cris'a
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
Iftu-Dprk Gribnne.
MONDAY. NOVEMBER %, 1909.

THIS nciCspGper IS OiCRcd and pub
hShed bg The Tribune Association, 4
AciC York corporation: office and prin-
oipal place Of business, Tribune Build
fnO. 10. 154 Nassau street. NctC York !:
Ogden Malls, president; Henry W.
S0ckctf. secretary; James N. Barrett
treasurer The address 0f the officers IS
rho Office O1 fhis netrspdpcr.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
NO WOMAN IN THE CASE

From The Albany Journal
In This respect. At least. the sugar
scandal "a unique. that nobody concerned
upon woman.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
SOCCER" JusTlFYlNe ITSELF.

prom The Binsha.upton Republican.
~ may be that ''sOccar'' IL soms,hi,,,. -, =.
sam s,ter All 4 "soccer'' player had bis
ies broken the other day. "''" N''
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

The story of the chauffeur who had an
epileptic fit while driving his car and
nearly ran IT down into the subway ends
with the statement that "he was per-
mitted to proceed with his automobile"
A little thing like epilepsy should not
disqualify chauffeur.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

That the small majorities given 10 the
Republican candidates for Governor and
Lieutenant Governor in Massachusetts
were due TO special causes and not to
a general anti-Republican reaction is
proved by the canvass of the vote for
minor state officers. For Secretary Of
State, Treasurer. Auditor and Attorney
General the division was along normal
party lines. Mr.. Olin's plurality for Sec
retary Of State was 80. .463; Mr.. Ste
vens's. for Treasurer. was 55.574; Mr..
Turner's. for Auditor, 5S.9O6. and Mr..
Malone's. for Attorney General, was &C.
$50. Governor Draper and Lieutenant
Governor Frothingham We're reelected
by pluralities OF less than 10000.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

for the first half OF November are IA per
cent above those OF year ago and IL
per cent ahead OF 1907.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

The man who finds DR.. Cook may be-
come as famous as the man who found
the North Pole.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

The promotion of the First Deputy
Commissioner OF Pensions. James l..
Davenport, to be Commissioner Of Pen
sions is the first instance OF a rise from
the ranks in that important government
bureau. Mr.. Davenport entered the bu-
reau as a clerk twenty-eight years ago.
Hitherto. with one exception, the chiefs
have been taken from political life.
Dominic /. Murphy. a deputy commits
sioner, was promoted by President
Cleveland to succeed Commissioner
Lochren. But he had been In the bu-
reau only two or three years.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

Those who have been complaining that
the charges Of inhumanity in the Congo
are nothing but British ISLANDERS and a
part of British intrigues against the
Belgian colony Will do we'll to observe
that DIR. DOerpington. of Berlin. a Ger
man mercantile agent. has Just pub
lished pamphlet addressed TO the Ger
man people containing more horrible
revelations and more scathing denun-
Citations than any which have ever ap-
peared in England or America.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

The pending suit at Richmond. in
which japanese enlisted man in the
United States navy seeks naturalization,
raises the interesting question whether
a man who is fit to be intrusted with the
defence of the country anG the honor of
its flag should not be reckoned worthy
of citizenship.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

The Key to Heaven naturally failed
TO unlock the door OF the Custom House.
New-York tribune., 1909-11-29

The men in the St. Louis workhouse
who preferred sausage 20 turkey were
true philosophers. The greater includes
the less. and the whole is greater than
any Of its parts. Turkey cannot include
sausage, but sausage may include turkey.
q. +. ID.