davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

and most minute details about com
mercial and material things" said the
late Thomas F. Walsh, head OF the
Colorado Humane society and one OF
the advocates OF a federal children's
bureau. Corn, pigs and other COM
modities OF commerce are wisely
watched over with parental care. but
no time or money is given 10 the child
crop OF the country Viewed from any
standpoint, the protective care and
bringing up Of the children and the
building up Of the best citizenship pos
sible is the most sacred duty OF our
governments and our people. and in
this great work our national govern
ment should take a parental lead"
Will Investigate Mill Child Labor.
Not alone in the cities where the
hOrdes OF foreigners congregate and
the living conditions Of many children
are inconceivably bad. but also in the
country. there IS need for the work Of
a federal children's bureau. DR.. Charles
P. Nell, United States commissioner
OF labor, has met with severe criticism
OF late for his vigorous denunciation OF
the conditions among the children in
the cotton growing and cotton spinning
regions Of the south. II Is asserted
that he has exaggerated the badness Of
the conditions and that the children at
work In the mills are better of than
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

other Offices by appointment The
voter has Just one man 10 choose, and
in consequence even the sleepiest citi-
zen rarely gets flimhsmmed Citizen
ship there is not a profession, but
simple matter which every voter
masters without conscious effort"
The short ballot advocates say they
have nc quarrel with the politicians.
because these professional citizens are
absolutely necessary while we have the
cumbersome long ballot At present
the politicians hold power in an in
formal manner. without the possibility
Of the location and enforcement Of re-
sponsibility. That is where the chance
for graft comes in. A good politician
who refuses to accept the chances for
graft which are thrown his way Is dis
placed by the bad politicians who have
bigger incentives to work because of
the money they can accumulate
through working the public
Opponents Of the short ballot con-
tend that It means perilous concentra-
ton Of power and the granting Of large
sppointive powers to a few men: that
popular government; that no practi-
cable bound can be set to the possibility
Of corrupting a small body Of elected
officials, whereas bribery OF q large
number is difficult and more easy to
detect; that no small body OF elected
officials can be relied upon to exercise
wisdom and care IN appointing all the
men needed to conduct the multifarious
business Of large state or municipal
fly.
Other opponents suggest that II is
undemocratic to which the short bal
loters reply that It is the long ballot
that IS undemocratic, because It is so
elaborate that 1t practically disfran-
chises everybody except the politicians.
The short ballot. they inAst, Is not
only democratic. but it Is the only plan
Of election that is really democratic.
Woodrow Wilson. president of
Princeton university. is at the head Of
the short ballot movement. and il has
been Endorsed by Governor Hughes of
New York. Governor Fort OF New Jer-
sey, President Emeritus Eliot Of Har-
ward, William Allen White, Winston
Churchill, Clinton Rogers Woodruff and
many other noted reformers.
Ex-President Roosevelt in one OF his
essays on American ideals has written,
Governmental power should be con-
centrated in the hands Of a very few
men, who should be so conspicuous
that no citizen could help knowing all
about them, and the elections should
not come too frequently"
ARTHUR ]. BRINTON.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24
New York's Splendid Public Library Completed

placed IN position. The slightest flaw
was enough 20 cause rejection.
New York met the question OF hous-
ing its great public library in no mig
gardly spirit. The edifce represents
an expenditure OF no less than So
100000, exclusive Of the value OF the
site. It stands on the west side OF
Fifth avenue. between Foryieth and
FOTty-second street, the place formerly
occupied by e reservoir.
When the new library and all its
rooms are thrown open TO the public
it VIII be found 10 house one OF the
greatest collection Of books in the
world. The number Of volumes prob
ably viii reach 100000. The couec-
ton viii comprise the books now con-
tanned IN the Astor and LenOZ libraries
and those purchased with the money
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24
By CHARLES N. LURE.

E Y NDER the eagles wing are %
be gathered ell the nestIngs
Of the eagles brood. After
many years the federal gov
eminent has awakened to the necessity
OF doing something" for the children
Of the land. The Something ho-
taken shape in the federal children
bureau provided for in the bin In
troduced IN the senate and house b.
Messrs. Flint Of California and Par
sons Of New York respectively. Happy
augury for the future Of the fedora.
childrens bureau is found in the fact
that its sponsors in the national legis-
latuTe hail from two sections OF the
country so fer apart as the Atlantic
and the Pacific coasts.
While the work Of the children's bu-
reau is TO be purely statistical, devoted
to the gathering Of figures showing the
conditions surrounding the countrys
little ones, small doubt Is expressed
that 1t will widen its sphere Of activity
IN harmony and conjunction with the
various agencies, state and municipal.
which now look after the welfare OF the
child The establishment OF the bu-
reau has been urged strongly by the
national child labor committee. OF
which Owen r. LOvejOy IS the general
secretary: by the Organized Charities
OF New York. one OF the prime movers
IN which IS DR.. Edward T Devfne. edf-
tor OF the Survey. and by other organ
lied philanthropical and sociological
bodies. On the other hand, the So
cieties for the prevention OF cruelty 10
children oppose the bureau, asserting
that the work OF caring for the chill
dren OF the nation is best left IN the
care OF the individual states These
societies. like their parent organiza-
ton. the New York society. are state
bodies. with charters granted by the
various legislatures. They declare that
tho effective work they have done in
the past in the matter Of child rescue
is an earnest Of its successful contia-
uaton in the future without federal in
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

lay in the construction Of the library
can be blamed partly on the swiftness
with which events move in the me-
tropolis. 1t is only seven years and d
half ago, on Nov. TO- 1902. that Mayor
Low laid the cornerstone OF the New
York Public library. Astor. Lenox and
Tilden foundations" The delay in the
construction Of the building is at
tributed largely TO the difficulty in OBJ
tanning material OF the proper quality.
With the single exception Of the ma
tional capitol in Washington the New
York Public library is the largest mar
bic building in the world. Every bit
Of the stone supplied for use in its
construction has been subjected TO the
most ssaruhins scrutiny before being
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

length by 246 feet in depth. fnclosins
two interior courts The library OF
congress is 40 feet in length and 34e
feet IN depth. inclosinE four interior
courts and a central rotunda covered
by a dome. The Boston Public L.
brary IS 22S feet long and 225 feet
deep, with a central court
Every modern feature Of library con-
structiOn IS embodied in the new
building. Its total book capacity (:
100000 volumes. The main reading
room provides seats for about 1.O0t
persons, three times as many as the
seating capacity Of the famous read
ing room OF the British museum. There
are n addition about thirty other read
ing rooms.
The library is very easy Of access
from all parts Of the city. Within easy
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

III OSS 10 New York OF long stand
ing cynical Jest and gain Of a
splendid building mark the
AaIE<zA bringing TO completion by
May Of the new public library OF the
metropolis. For several years the
actual use OF the library has seemed TO
New Workers. something TO be classed
with an event like the coming OF the
millennium or the installation Of salts
factory service on the City's transpor-
tauon lines-an event 70 be wished for
devoutly. but hardly 70 be expected
within the lifetime Of the present gen.
Grafton. II was a very pleasant surprise
for the citizens of New York when Il
was announced that there was a posi-
bility Of setting a date for the dedica-
ton Of the library.
In reality however. the seeming de-
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

walking distance are subway, elevated
and trolley lines Some Of them, with
the Fifth avenue line Of stages. pass
the door.
In his invocation AT the laying OF the
cornerstone OF the new library the late
Rev. W. r. Huntington. rector OF
Grace church, referred 10 it as wis
dom's home" In laying the corner
stone Mayor Low, himself the donor Of
a 100000 library building to Colum-
bia university. said
Great Libraries are the store >ouses
Of human knowledge. and rs sucl they
are the granaries out Of whose rich
Accommodations come the SEEDS that are
to frucufy the years that are 10 be"
THOMAS SHELBY.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.

left for that purpose by Samuel J. TIL
den. The president Of the library
trustees is John Bigelow, now ninety
two years ola, former minister 10
France
How the New York Public library
compares with the Boston Public Il
brary and the Congressional library in
Washington may be seen partly from
statement Of the cost Of the three
buildings. Taking $4,000. 900 as a fair
estimate Of tie cost Of the New York
building. 1t has cost S3.655.0O0 more
than the library Of congress and 81
$4,000 more than the pride Of Boston.
Neither Of the last named buildings Is
OF marble, save IN interior construction.
The New York library Is $50 feet IN
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24
Motorboat Fer Hunfinn-

A very good cruiser with cunning
cabin, thirty to thirty-flve feet in
length, and with a modest but service
able engine, can be bought for from
$1,000 to $1,000 nowadays. Such a
craft is suitable for cunning excursions
along the coast or on any Of the larger
lakes. and the cost is not much II any
more thaa that or. - Eail cruiser,
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

ference on the care Of dependent chill
dren held in Washington Jan. % and
26, 1903, In which delegates from many
children's societies and sOciolOgists Of
note from all parts OF the country par
ticipated.
During the last days OF June and the
early part OF July OF the present year
the second general meeting OF the na-
tiOnal child conference for research
and welfare VIII be held at Worcester,
Mass The conference had its birth at
Worcester last year. It aims 10 be a
central clearing house for information
and for definite action looking 70 the
welfare Of children IN OIL departments
Of life. II is expected that the leaders
OF the conference VIII approve heartily
% the establishment Of a federal bu-
reau 10 do officially what they have
been aiming 10 do unoficially. The
president Of the conference is @. Stan
ley Hall. who is also president Of
Clark university. There are ten vice
presidents They are Judge Ben B.
Lindsey, the famous Denver "children's
friend" and advocate OF chndren's
courts; DIT. c. W. Stiles. the hook
worm fighter" Miss Patty S Hin OF
Teachers college. New York; Hastings
II. Hart Of the Sage foundation. Mrs.
Theodore Roosevelt. Professor Irving
Fisher OF Yale university. famous for
his advocacy OF the conservation OF
health and personal efficiency: Clifford
Pinchot president OF the National
Conservation association; Jacob 4.
Riis. whom President Roosevelt called
Americas most useful citizen" Mrs
EmmOns Blaine, founder OF the school
R Of education Of the University OF CHI
caEo. and MIS-. Robert N. Ia Toilette.
wife Of the Wisconsin senator.
The time has come" runs a resolu-
ton adopted by the conference last
year, when all efforts for the ane-
Iteration OF the conditions OF childhood
% a charitable and phflanthr0pic IA
ture should be based upon and so far
as practicable guided by the results q
scientific child study and that only
thus may the various lines be given q
more scientific and workers . more
professional character"
The same idea underlies the estab-
lishment Of the federal chiI5rer's bu-
reau, and the same arguments were
used TO convince the national Iegisla-
tors Of its need
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

OF obscure eiec-
tive officers SIM
ply himhans the
people. It gives
them so many
things to watch
that they can't
watch them. The
longer the ballot
gets the harder il
Is for the people
70 control.
"On the other
hand. the shorter
IL becomes the
more surely do
the people control
and the less need
there is for poll
ticians. The way
to keep the graft
ers out is to turn
the searchlight on
them before cleo
ton. If there are
scores of offices
70 be filled the
CRATER gets lost
in the shadows,
but if there were
only a few Offices
to be filed at
one time the
searchlIght would
strike him full
and fair. and his
exposure would
set the whole
town talking.
U su ally the
searchlight hits
only the head OF
the ticket, the
candidate for
mayor or gov
eTnor, and IN con-
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

choice but to put
up good men an
along the line.
The sanitary
effect Of limelight
in politics Is seen
in the English
cities, which are
the best governed
IN the world.
There the voter IS
rarely called upon
to fill moro than
one Office at a.
time. He elects a
member Of the
city council from
his ward, and the
council runs the
city, filing aIX.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24
The Case For and Against the Short Ballot

The average voter
outside OF coun-
try districts can
not name half the
Offices on his bal
lot from memory.
The politician at
tends to all these
things for him.
THE long bal
lot with its string
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

'ObSoleScent." In the dictionaries.
But hold a minute-maybe It Will
concentrate power in q few hands
and thus defeat its own purpose r.
and reason for existence.
Probably in this matter, as in
so many others. the truth lies In
the golden mean. Whether good
or bad. the short ballot seems to -
be on its way hither II numer-
Gus and enthusiastic friends count
for anything It will soon be
as familiar to the voters Of America
as the old. mammoth. universally dis
credited voting ticket IS now. In it's
support the old saying about the blade
Of grass Is reversed. Dean Swift
wrote Whoever could make two ears
of corn or two blades Of grass 10 grow
upon a spot Of ground whore only ono
grew before would deserve better Of
mankind and do more essential service
TO bis country than the whole race Of
politicians put together" The short
ballot men believe that whoever can
make one name bloom upon ballot in
place OF two Is q public beneSactor.
And II Is the race OF politicians that
they are after.
The short ballot comes close on the
heels OF direct primaries and hand IN
hand with the much advertised com
mission form Of government for cities.
Its advocates say that It is not a new
idea but simply a very old piece Of
common sense.
The reason we have corrupt and
unresponsive government in our cities
and states" say the short ballot advo-
Gates. as because our country is not a
democracy. but Is an oligarchy-gov-
eminent by the fewl One per cent Of
the people practically control the gov
eminent. and the government is con-
Quoted primarily in their interest. This
1 per cent consists OF a class known as
politicians. The reason they control
is because we have made our political
business so elaborate that citizenship
has become one OF the learned pro-
fessions. The ordinary voter doesn't
count as he ought 20 IN the control OF
the government. because to be effective
at present he must go into politics and
give up a lot Of time and energy and
hard work TO the task OF being an ef-
fective citizen.
Most OF the officials that are now
chosen by popular vote are not subject
10 any wide public discussion az all.
We elect county clerks. state treasur-
ers, cororers and auditors without ever
talking about them or looking them I'D.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

M T is a panacea for our public Ills,
say the advocates OF tho short
ballot II is undemOcrEtic, say
- Its opponents.
Maybe the short ballot will do away
with grating and give US public off,
Gals with eyes turned squarely and
only toward the public good. Maybe
It viii purify our politics until the very
words graft" and CRATER shall be
marked Obsolete" OF, at the very least,
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-24

sequence the poll
tiCians pick q
good fgurehead
for that Office. II
all elective off,
Gals could be
subjected TO the
same test Of thor
ough public scru-
tiny. politicians
would have no
The Washington herald., 1910-12-19

encouraged to open savings accounts. IN
the United Kingdom more than 1900
schools have adopted a school section of
the postal savings bank. Scholarship
grants and prizes are given in the form
of savings deposit account. French
men-of- war carry branch banks for the
convenience OF sailors. British soldiers
stationed abroad may make deposits in
the postal savings bank through the war
Office public accounts.
In regard TO the withdrawal of funds
there is usually provision requiring no
tice. which is not always insisted upon.
In the United Kingdom q depositor ''on
presentation of his book at any post-offiee
open for savings-bank business can
withdraw Immediately sum not exceed
ing eI" Larger amounts may be with
drawn upon receipt of an answer to a
telegram sent TO the head Office. Bel
GUM allows depositors, upon preseFta-
ton Of their books, "on the sole condl-
ton of proving their identity, TO with
draw at any post-oftice whatever sums
not exceeding 100 francs $50 This pro-
vision is extremely convenient for trav-
elers.
The Washington herald., 1910-12-19
HOBSON TO KNOW
WHY PURITAN SANK
May Make Trouble for the
Navy Department.

Representative Hobson, of Alabama, a
member OF the House Naval Committee,
is expected To make trouble for the Navy
Department over the sinking of the
monitor Puritan in the Newport News
Middle Ground several weeks ago. after
an ordnance test In which 200 pounds Of
explosive gelatin were ignited against
its hull.
MIR. Hobson wants TO know who Is re-
sponsible for the failure TO take the
monitor TO the Norfolk Navy Yard
imediately after the experiment. As
soon as the test was concluded the
monitor was turned over to officers of
the Norfolk Navy Yard. She was allowed
10 remain in the Middle Ground over
night with serious injury to her hull
below the Water-line armOr belt. The
morning following the experiment she
sank.
When Rear Admiral Newton f. Mason
Chief OF the Bureau of Ordnance, was
before the House Committee on Naval
Affairs recently, Representative Hobson
asked why steps had not been taken i'm
mediately after the test 20 tow the
Puritan to the dry dock at the Norfolk
Navy Yard. Admiral Mason replied that
he did not know.
Representative Hobson expressed the
opinion that the damage 20 the boilers and
machinery of the Puritan, due to her
sinking. may reach a total of 100000 Sal
wage operations are now under way In
charge of Naval Constructor Robert
StOCker.
The Washington herald., 1910-12-19
ARREST WHITE SLAYER.
Spanish Police Find Man Sending
Girls to America.

Girls to America.
Bilboa, Dec. 1S-The police here have
been for some time keeping a close watch
on man Of the name Of Victor Sturtse.
whom they suspected OF being engaged
in the white slave traffic. To-day he
was arrested, the detectives employed on
the case having bearded that he had OBJ
tanned a number of girls whom he had
arranged to be shipped TO America.
The Washington herald., 1910-12-19
JUDICIAL REFORM is SOUGHT
American Bar Presents Matter to
Members of Congress.
Committee Proposes Laws TO Pre-
vent Delays and Unnecessary
Cost in Litigation.

After several days comforting with
members Of Congress and officials of the
Department of Justice in their efforts To
obtain the passage of laws regulating
the judicial procedure of the United
States courts, the members of the spe-
cial committee of the American Bar As
ISOLATION, who have been meeting at the
Arlington, are leaving for their homes.
The occasion of the meeting was to
suggest remedies and formulate proposed
laws TO prevent delay and unnecessary
cost in litigation The meetings con-
Guided Saturday.
OF especial importance is the commit
tees attempt to have passed by Con-
greSS the bill providing for an amend
ment TO the Revised Statutes of the
United States. which declares that no
judgment shall be set aside OF reversed
by any court on the ground of misdirec-
ton of the jury, or for error to any mat
ter of pleading or procedure unless, in
the opinion of the court, it shall appear
that the error complained of has resulted
in a miscarriage OF Justice
Another important matter which came
before the meeting was the proposed law
to regulate judicial procedure of courts
throughout the country. This bill meets
with the strong approval of President
Taft. who favored it in his message to
Congress, and Attorney General Wick
ersham. The measures are pending be-
fore Congress
The members of the committee who at
tended were Everett p. Wheeler, chair
man: Roscoe Pound. Massachusetts,
Frank Irvine, New York: Samuel c.
Eastman, New Hampshire; Samuel SEQ
vile. jr. Pennsylvania; Stephen H. Al
len. Kansas, and William L. January,
Michigan.
The Washington herald., 1910-12-19

well known in Washington. He was
naval aid TO President Roosevelt during
the last administration. This is the sem
timent which, it is said, has caused Sec
rotary Meyer 10 ask for an explanation:
I'm sure that If the time should ever
come when the British empire was seri-
ously menaeed by an external enemy. its
people might count upon every man.
every dollar. every ship. and every drop
of blood of their kindred across the
ocean"
This statement was cabled 70 German
newspapers. where, il is said. it created
an unfavorable impression. The Germans
have for several weeks been Specializing
as to he probable reason why the yes
sells Of the fleet were not sent TO German
ports, but confined their visits to British
and French ports exclusively.
The Washington herald., 1910-12-19
ROBINSON CRUSOE.

Old Robinson by himself the Shore and looked at
the murmurng This island some people would probably
BORE he said but it looks good No otongued agents
can corner me here and sell raft of old junk statesman
can nail breathe in my job lot OF promises punk
Assessors won't camp my mdoean farm py and to snoOp
and to poke and fill out paper long my and leave
disguised and broke Here ardent refomerS will leave alone,
and pels longer will fret; and call me by long
distance phone ask I've registered yet can't debt
and I've nothing to pawn-no unces hand if had bank
can inform that I've overdrawn the first OF the month isn't
sad So why should prance the beach and lament because
I'm forsaken and broke There's nothing buy and don't need
cent and the whole blooming thing joke. Leave tears for
the pineess and ccken-soued dub who would at the wang
place sit This islands in line for opts club and by your
leave will be Itw WAIT MASON.
Copyright by Gorsea