davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
A Southern Child.Iabor Conference.

A notable conference 10 consider the
problem OF child labor in the South Ras
just been held at New Orleans. Eleven
States were represented by delegates.
and a permanent organization with a
definite platform was formed. with Gov.
Sanders, OF Louisiana. at It's head. Al
though some differences Of opinion de-
veioped. and Il was found necessary 10
ignore the question or compulsory educa-
ton. which many feel 70 be inseparabiy
bound up with the abolition Of child labor.
in order TO insure harmony. the confer
ence agreed upon a programme OF legisla-
tion which the Southern states will be
urged 10 adopt with as much unanimity
as practicable. This programme repre-
sents a minimum standard Of child pro
lection, and is not urged as n substitute
for n higher standard where such has
been adopted. but as a suggestion to
States which have not attained the higher
legislative level
The programme recommends that the
minimum age for the employment Of chill
dren in any gainfjll occupation. except
agriculture and domestic service. be fixed
at fourteen years; that no child under
sixteen be employed in any dangerous oc-
cupation or be employed in any gainful
Occupation outside the home unless able
20 rod and write; and that no boy under
tf" ase Of sixteen and no girl under the
asc u eighteen be employed at night.
An eight-hour day for women and FOR
children under sixteen is favored as an
IDEAL but for immediate adoption ;egis-
iation IS recommended limiting the hours
Of labor to ffty-four a week. The present
Kentucky law on the issuance Of empIov-
ment certificates is commended for gen
eral use. II is also suggested that the
States provide for the registration of all
births; proper code or sanitary and
safety regulations IS outlined, and the
opinion Is. expressed that the child-labor
and factory laws should be enforced by
adequate inspection and sufficient pen
alties
The significance Of this conference lies
IN the frank acceptance by the Southern
people Of their responsibility with re-
spect 10 child labor Dr. A. J. Nickel
way. long a laborer in the cause. says
that ''it stamps child-labor reform in the
South - distinct Southern movement.
and promises. through the recommended
tioA OF high standard, the enactment
OF better laws for the protection Of the
work child" Gov. Sanders. the president
OF the conference. promises to enter upon
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
GERMAN NAVAL GROWTH.
Remarkable Recent Expansion of
the Imperial Fleet.

FrOu the New Y0rk Tr1hUne
The naval growth OF Germany, % which
much aeitsted attention has recently.
and nut altogether without cause. been
attracted. IS pethaps the most remark
able which the world has seen. except
ing possibly that Of Japan. though. IN
deed. in some respects II actually sur
passes that. Il has been nominaIly con
temporsneoUs and coextensive with the
German empire, though practically II is
q thing Ct only the last nine or ten
years. and 81 IS 10 be credited almost
entirely to- the patriotic ambition and
energy OF one mar. or OF one man be-
sides the Emperor himself. 20 Wit. Ad-
mirsl Won Tirpitz. the imperial secretary
of the navy.
During the war with France. in 1901
a Flottengrundungspian was laid down
as the begiRning OF an imperial navy
but the enterprise remained insignificant
for more than q dozen years II was not
In fact. until lSs9 thar a real naval or
ganizatiOn was formed and a commander
in-chief was appointed, But stiu the
work continued 20 be educational rather
( than constructive. colonial exploitation
and commercial expansion steadily re-
minding the nation OF the need Of an
adequate navy and persuading Il 20 pro
vide the funds for It's construction
Meantime. in 1891. Admiral Won Tirpltz
/ became chief OF stan az the Kiel naval
station. and began 70 elaborate plans for
a great new navy In 1885 he went to the
far East in command OF a cruiser. souas-
ron. and in 1925 he returned 10 the VII
helmstrasse as secretary Of the navy
That date was epoch marking The secre-
tary Immediately put forward the plans
which he had prepared for a feet OF nine
teen battle ships and fifty cruisers and
coast defense ships, and the work OF
creating real imperial navy was be-
gun
Then came the Boer war. with its re-
| fieX influence upon European affairs IN
/ February. 1900. Won Tirpitz introduced and
secured the passage Of the law under
which naval construction has since pro.
ceeded. II provided fer two fleets OF bat
/ tie ships. the cost OF which Up 10 1870
would be about 500. o.000Ooo. or SlOc00OC0
a year, much Of which cost was 10 be
secured from a tariff on Imports This
lev has. however. been amended and en-
larred. until now II provides that BY 1917
the navy shall consist OF 3S battle ships.
OF which = shall be Dreadnoughts. %
armored cruisers Of battle ship equip
ment, IS protected cruisers. 100 torpedo
boats, and a great number Of destroyers
submarines, and other vessels. all
manned by about $500 men The cost
or the navy by that time viii be more
than $1,000 0o0.000. Whether that viii be q
greater force in Dreadnoughts than
Great Britain viii then have Is te be
seen. The editor OF Brassey's Naval An
nual estimates that in 1912 Great Britain
VIII have twenty and Germany seventeen
ships OF that class. THAT the German
navy viii far outrank our own. at our
present rate OF construction, seems as
sured, and II may perhaps be worth
while TO consider in passing whether II
eomports with the general welfare Of this
country 10 be put into a rather IoY third
place as a naval power.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
Clerks Loss of Paw.

The decision Of the Comptroller Of the
Treasury based on a provision Of the
sundry civil appropriation act Of March
4 operates 10 deprive about fourteen en-
pIoyes OF the War Department OF their
pay since that date. These clerks were
engaged as an emergency force for work
in Cuba with the military force The pay
Of all such emergency clerks has been OBJ
tained from an allotment of $4,000 out
Of a 100000 appropriation made by Con
gress as an emergency fund in 1893. The
fourteen or fifteen clerks who are stHl
employed viii probably be needed until
the end Of April
The Comptroller has ruled that under
the legislation in the sundry civil act It
viii not be possible TO make use Of the
funds after March T. It was thought by
the War Department that the salaries
could be continued. inasmuch as the funds
were turned over 10 the disbursing Of
hcer. but the Comptroller SAYS that this
possession Of the money by the disburs-
ing officer does not change the character
OF the allotment from that OF an unex-
pended balance. and being such. under
the terms Of the law it must be covered
into the Treasury.
This requirement Of legislation was a
result Of the employment by the War
Department Of the two detectives who
were sent out at considerable expense
to accumulate information IN the Browns
vile case. The cost Of gathering those
more or less useful statistics was de-
fraved from the emergency fund, which
hereafter is not 20 be available. It hap
pens that the law and its Interpretation
by the Comptroller operates with disad-
vantage and injustice 10 some civilian
employees Of the War Department who
must have put in at least a months
work for which they are not TO De paid.
except by some special provision. II was
the aim Of Congress to have returned to
the Treasury an emergency fund which
was not. in fact. being used for emer-
geney conditions. although the employ
ment OF the clerks in Cuba appeared to
have that characteristic.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
BUILDING GATUN DAM.
Progress of the Work on that Great
Structure.

From the Csusi Record. March Z.
In the construction OF the great dam
al Gatun three features are prominent
the building or the toes. the placing OF the
impermeable core or hydraulic III. and
ne construction OF the spniway. Work
on all these features has reached the
stage where IN spite Of the magnitude
OF the project. the labor Of each week
marks a noticeable stage in the progress
Of the construction. Az present efforts
are confined almost wholly % the spill
way aud the part OF dam between the
lock site and the spillway. although the
Uestles for the toes have been partly
driven west Of the spillway. and the en-
rockment OF the south toe between the
spillway and the west diversion IS well
under way.
The purpose Of the rock toes is 20
inciose and protect the hydraulic nateri-
al Of the interior Of the dam. These toes
VIII extend clear across the valley and
in the space between them viii be de-
posted the material OF the hydraulic
MI
In the space between the toes on the
north and south, and -the spiuway and
the lock site on the west and east, two
steam shovels and several gangs OF men
are stripping the surface soil. preparing
the foundation for the close connection
with the hydraulic material. On the level
where the stripping is now in progress
n strip SO feet wide IS being cleared. as
that IS the width determined upon for
the hydraulic FIJI at this elevation. The
channel Of the French canal was stripped
by dredging. and the banks graded 10
slope by sluicing before the IN was
begun IN December "a: and now. between
the toes and the dam. there is only a
slight depression where the canal used
70 be. Into this ditch. dug by the French.
225,o0O cubic yards OF sand and clay were
pumped, which practically filed Il.
Concrete win De laid IN the spiiiwav
this week. The mixing plant is ready.
the cement Is in the storehouse. and
rock from Porto BeuO and sand from
Nombre de Dios VIII be delivered in as
large quantities as desired. The handling
plant for the spillway materials has been
ready for some time. the railroad from
the mixer 10 the spllWay channel has
been completed. the cars for the concrete
have arrived and are set up. and the
forms are ready for use. The work 10 be
done on the spillway Is the lining OF the
channel that runs from the point where
the regulating works viii be built 70 the
north toe or the dam. a distance Of ]. I.s1O
feet. Through this channel. (which when
finished viii be 80 feet wide. AT elevation
ten feet above sea level. with side walls
twenty feet higher, the Chagres River
VIII be diverted within a year, thereby
allowing construction Of the west end
OF the dam 70 proceed TO completion.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION.
Not So Radical a Document nS Has
been Assumed.
- ~ spTinsfield RepuhlIcan

Frum the Springfield Republican.
After all OF the recent abuse OF Okla
hcma's constitution there appears a calm
ly analytical study OF It IN the Political
Science Quarterly. by Prof. Charles A..
Beard. OF Columbia University. who
finds 1t a remarkable document" yet
by no means a surprising one 20 those
who know the tendencies Of our State
legislation in the past three decades.
Prof. Beard insists that the Oklahoma
constitution IS by no means a leap in
the dark" or a shooting Of Niagara -
there is nothing so asfully radical about
il. after all. And he concludes his essay
by reminding Us:
The American people are not given 10 sailing the
ship Of state by the stars 70 deducing rates Of
law from abstract notions. and eYery important
clause Of the Oklahoma constitution has been tried
ont IN the experience az one or more o. the older
Commouwealths The initiative and referendt1n
came from Oregon. and find warrant IN the laws
q seTeral other States Direct nomination is fast
working a revolution in the American party system
after generation Of tentative experiments bugt
upon earlier voluntary methods. The departures
rom old legal practices, even in such important
matters as the Injunction find many urecedeufs
The provisions regarding corporations are gathered
from the constitutions and statutes o. States AZ
IA apart New York and Texas and the labor
provisions are not new 70 students Of social
economy
Oklahoma, then. IS a legitimate child OF
tire older states. Everything Il has In its
constitution II comes By through inher-
itance or example OF its elders This *
worth remembering.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04

From the Charlotte -. c. Observer.
Tariff schedules on knit goods for ordi-
nary materials OF stockings. hose. and
half-hose have been very materially ad-
vanced. The former list ranged about 40
10 % per cent, and now it ranges from 20
70 50 per cent II this item should go
through in its present form. Il would
stimulate hosiery production in this
country and would naturally boost single
yarns. 1t is astonishing that the knit
goods people OF this country should re-
ceive tariff OF 50 per cent. and Yet II
would almost seem that such a tariff is
required, for there are al present large
importatiOns In some Of the lines so pro
tected. The chief competitors are Ger
many and France. Germany leading.
While there is a difference in wages be-
tween German and American mills. II
cannot be as much as 70 or 50 per cent.
or hardly even as much as the old tariff
was Yet the comprehensive fact remains
that the foreign goods are coming plentI-
fully into this country.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
Capitalization of Bu.ipe.,

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
In every branch OF business activity in
Europe. Asia. and Africa there is some
great corporation, some strong firm, some
association Of individuals. some combina-
ton OF interests which controls the out
put the production, the SALE the trans
portation-in short, dictates the business
In such manner that all others engaged
therein are at its beck and call, its dis
cretion to make OF ruin 1t may be
through powerful financial means, il may
be through governmental concession. or
governmental favoritism, Il may be
through potent organization combining
both the preceding advantages. bat how
over or BY what means. there remains
the fact that there exists consolidated.
concentrated. direct control Of politics.
finance. industry. and commerce IN the
hands OF -the very few
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
HOW AMERICANS MIGRATE.
Extent Of Population Changes Every
Year Is Astonishing.
From re Delineatr.

Prom the DeliDeator.
The extent Of our migrations 10 and fro
in the United States Is seldom realized.
A few facts VIII suggest the general con
dition. One-sixth OF the white population
OF the city OF Washington changes every
year. while the change Of the colored
population IS even more extensive. IN a
quarter century Los Angeles has grown
from a few thousand 70 a great city. Sc
sttle doubled twice in the thirteen yesrs
from 1893 20 1876. Mobile and Memphis
are similarly growing with astonishing
rapidity. In our census We count only
the net growth or the net loss. In many
instances thousands move out annually,
while more thousands move in A genera
tion ago the men were In great excess
in MuskegOn. Mich, because OF the lum-
beT industry. while now there is an
equally great excess OF women. due 70
textile factories: and yet the population
Of the city is not much greater than in
the former period.
Before the civil war. and for some
years after II. the migrati0ns OF our peo-
PIE were almost all Westward. and few
but the poor or the young. changed their
homes Now our weli-to-do families are
or the move: and not a few Of them
migrate Eastward Some sections OF the
country are building up for one reason
while others are building up for an Oppo-
site reason. Almost no one ever moves
10 the city OF Washington 70 90 into husi-
ness or 10 practice a profession or a
trade; and almost no one ever moves to
Buffalo or 10 Portland. OreE. for any
other reason Washington IS the grave
Of young men who are lost IN the depart
ments OF government but Il IS the top
OF thS world for old men who wish 70
retire and still 10 keep an interest in life
On the other hand. Chicago IS even to-
day. with all its developments. a very
live place 1or the young man, but a very
good place for the old man 20 get out OF
or 10 keep away from.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
Canadian Defense Plans.

The Canadian people have not been car
ried away by the naval scare which is
ravaging Great Britain to the extent
that was at first supposed. Premier
Laurier las lately characterized the ag-
itation in the mother country as "a
passing. wave in which we can trace
anger, enthusiasm, and fear" These
emotions evidently are not rampant in
the Dominion, for the Canadian Parlia-
ment has adopted a rather mild resolu-
tion on the subject Of imperial defense.
It reads:
The House EN cordially approve any necessary
expenditure designed urumote the speedy orpaui-
zauon of Canadian naval service in eo-ouzratisn
with and close relatiun 20 the imperial raw
along the lines suggested by the admiralty II the
last imperial confcenCr ard in fun sympathy with
the view that the naval supremacy Of Britain Is
es1ente! 70 the security Of commerce the safety Of
the empino. and The rcace Of the world.
The HOUSE expresses its firm conviction that
Whenever the need arises the Canadian peorle viii
be found ready and willing TO make any sacrifice
that Is required TO give the imperial authorities
the most ioyal ard hearty coopeation in every
movement for the maintenaa4 Of the integrity and
the honor of the empire.
Ibis pious and patriNic declaration
amounts 10 considerably less than the
supply of a Dreadnought or two. which
IS the immediate necessity of imperial
defense. Yet It appears that Canada has
already embarked upon a consistent.
though not costly, naval programme. and
in the matter Of coast defense has taken
over the fortihcations formerly main
tained at British expense. In addition.
the Dominion expends nearly s7.OOO000
upon its militia. AT the imperial con-
ference Premier Laurier declared that
Canada would develop her own defenses
on sea and land. His idea is to train
men and officers before building war
ships. and 10 develop naval stations pro-
tected by submarines and torpedo boats.
THIS reminds one somewhat Of Jefer-
sons plan for a mosquito fleet. the chief
merit OF which vas that Il was mex
pensive. We do not know what naval
experts think Of the premier's notions Of
naval defense. but feel pretty sure that
none Of them Will be convinced that a de-
fensive navy can be constructed cheapIy.
At all events it appears pretty certain
that the Canadians are not 10 be drawn
quickly into a costly enterprise Of i'm
perial defense. They viii stand by the
empire II need require. and supply money.
men. and ships, but refuse 20 believe that
a critical need has arisen as yet. Il is
a eanny, but probably correct. conclu-
sion.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
FATE.

You gave me nv work 10 do. you hTuFht and SET
II before me,
laughed with the laughter Of one, seeing. who
understands,
bent 70 the task elste. zeal like mantIe o'e-
me-
Why did you break nv wrists and shattsr the
strength Of my hands,
the bringing
Strands Of heaven and sea and earth strung to the
perfect note.
Finished glorious whole, raised my bead for its
singing
Why did you seal my lips and crush the song IN
my throat9
The work was fain 70 do-it rlsts in The drft Of
the sands.
The song was fan TO sing is waste for the winds
% float.
Why did yOu break my wrists and shatie- The
strength Of ms hands?
WIZ cid you seal my lips and crush the song in
my throat
-Iheodnsia Garrison. IN AuDietoa's.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
The Duty of the Home.

fTUm Bradstreets-
The House will be able TO exert a
greater moral influence If It settles for
itself existing differences over the details
Of the tariff Several State legislatures
have passed resolutions deprecatlng the
levying Of an inheritance tax by the
Federal government, on the ground that
that source Of revenue should be left ex-
clusively 70 the States. II is desirable
that the House should vote directly on
this question. II would be good policy
also 10 allow votes on the lumber duties.
the tea duty. the paragraph putting hides
on the free list. the paragraphs inereas-
ing the duties on hosiery and women s
gloves. the Philippines section, the maxi
mum minimum sections and other por-
tions OF the bill over which there are
differences OF opinion, both among Re-
publicans and among Democrats. FacilI-
tating test votes on such disputed points
would facilitate the passage Of the bill.
make II represent the declared sentiment
OF the House and give that body firm
ground 10 stand on when desling later
with the Senate amendments 10 the biz.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04

We do not know that Mr.. Serene Payne
and his cohorts in Congress are seeking
absolutely to encourage the woman's
rights agitators and the suffragettes in
this country-albelt both are something
in the nature OF infant industries-but we
fancy they are in fair way to do IT,
nevertheless. If they persist in enaeting
into law various schedules In the tariff
bill as It came from the Ways and
Means Committee.
When we go through that remarkable
document, we find that IL shows an
astounding state OF affairs. It proposes
higher rates on the following articles.
among numerous others dear TO the
heart Of womankind. but not necessary
to enumerate herein; Ostrich plumes.
hatpins, other than the very cheapest
grades: straw hats. stockings. gloves,
powder pufs. false hair. miniature
watches worn for adornment. perfumes.
cosmetics. fancy soaps. furs. and various
chocolates
Every article set down is affected in g
way decidedly vital to women. It means
a largely increased cost Of certain things
indisputably necessary to their happiness.
and without which they will be very
miserable indeed. What prospect, even
approximately alluring. is there in a
plumeless. hatpinless. hatless. stocking
less. gloveless. pufHess. perfumeless. fur
less future? Instead Of fewer Of these
things. woman wants more She always
has wanted. always viii want more To
cut them out entirely is unthinkable OF
course; to curtaf the supply in the face
o. the ever-increasing demand would be
the ultimate refinement OF cruelty.
No wonder We hear that the women
are protesting far and wide It would
be extremely strange If such were not
the case. And. in our opinion. the very
smallest fraction Of the protest has yet
been registered. We suspect that 70
come will be OF a more strenuous quality
than e'er was dreamed Of in a stand
patter's philosophy. II need not be i'm
agined that the women-and sprlngtime
right at hand. too-win fail 10 make
themselves heard in this matter
1t may he. moreover. that this impend-
ing rampant attitude OF the feminine Sec
ton Of this country is the one little black
cloud on the horizon that the Republican
party might well take into consideration.
The womes may not submit to tariff
exactions, irnpositions. and burdens a.
tamely as the male consumers have been
won't 10 submit in the past. We know
what ii is that hath no fury Ike a
woman scorned, and wise men for ages
have taken counsel OF that knowledge
But even that may not be a circum-
stance, so 10 speak, 20 the fury Of a
woman tarihf-taxed beyond her patience
and crowded to the wall in respect or
her personal needs and longings.
The next Congress may show a com
plexion OF decidedly different hue from
that characterizing the present one IL
lovely woman is not listened 70 with
most respectful attention In the crisis
now upon usage. listened 70 and her
complaints equitably adjusted.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04

an actlvescampaign for protective iegis-
lation along the lines indicated in the
conference recommendation Obviously
such "a campaign win be more sympa-
theticaly regarded in the South when
promoted by Southerners than when car
ried on in response to Northern agitation.
Friends OF the movement 10 abolish child
labor have every reason 10 feel encour-
aged over the outcome OF the New Or
leans conference.
The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
semI-poetry About sprlnr.

From The Boston AdYe7tiser.
RefrigeratOrs don't comprise all the cold
the season brings. for noses, to our
pained surprise. are filled with sneezes.
colds. and things. Hot chocolate departs.
forgot. while orange phosphate and the
fiZZ OF innocent Cor guiIty) lot usurps ,fs
place In business. The far arrives base
ball and palml. and soon the swimming
hole runs Ger with frisking youth. while
fishers. calm. pursue the game from
boat and shore IFS spring. And this
IS 50 because 1t can't be June without
this pause.