davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
A Chain of Accidents.

singular chain Of causes led yes
terday to disastrous explosion In
New York city which caused the in
slant death of more than ten people
and the serious and possibly mortal
injury of several score. a train of
railroad cars became unmanapeablc
IN the New York Central terminal
yards owing to the slippery condition
OF the rails and backed into a hummer
with such force as to snap il off and
send the end car into a cement pilIar
supporting substation of the termi-
nal power house. Within this pillar
was carried pipe through which
flowed gas used to illuminate the
trains The pillar was cracked and
the pipe was perforated so that the
gas began TO leak. The conductor OF
the runaway train reported the acct
dent and left the scene. No one at that
time suspected any more serious dam
age than the swapping of the hummer
and the slight cracking of the support :
ing pillar, together with the dislodr-
ment into the open space below the
substatiOn floor OF a quantity of loose
timber stored above the tracks About
three-quarters of an hour afterward
a leakage of gas was observed at the
storage tanks, but before the cause
could be ascertained an explosion oc-
Cured which virtually destroyed the
substation and occasioned the deaths
and injuries noted. By some means
not yet definitely ascertained a spark
was communicated to the aecumula-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Raiding Bucket Shops.
From the indianapolis Star

If the government can succeed i'm put
ting bucket shops out of business it will
do good work. and if it keeps persist
emily on their track there is no reason
why 1t should not succeed. The federal
fraud laws apply to these investment
concerns, and in many states laws have
been passed to forbid their operation. But
SO great are the profits derived by the
operators and so great is the host of gull
iible persons eager to get rich quick that
the. temptation to evade the law is great,
and. under one cover and another, they
continue in existence and gather in their
victims and their victims money. A
bucket shop is probably the most GER
tain method ever provided for the losing
OF money. yet seemingly intelligent per-
sons continue to patronize the places as
long as their funds last, never ceasing to
expect rich returns and encouraged from
time to time with small profit that suf-
tees to keep them in the tolls The
greater number Of the patrons of these
shops" are men who have but little to
invest. and are, therefore. the more
strongly tempted by the promised chance
OF large earnings for their small OUTLAY.
The evil is the worse because the great
majority of the victims are of the class
that cannot afford to lose.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
No Need to Organize.

Here and there in the government de-
partments are undoubtedly cases Of per-
sonal grievance which call for redress.
There are doubtless instances of petty
persecution on the part of impatient
chiefs and rivalries between individual
clerks that in the adjustment Ct affairs
leave bitterness. There may be some un-
earned promotions and some favoritism
some impositions now and then of which
complaint cannot easily be made. These
are conditions incidental to every large
assemblage of workers. and it is not to be
believed that there is any general lack
of justice in the internal administration
of the government offices.
The suggestion has been advanced by
some of the departmental clerks that a
union be organized to bring upon the gov
eminent the influence of organized labor.
This is an ill-advised. unwise proposition.
1t Is hardly to be taken seriously. In the
nature of things 1t would be extremely
difficult to organize such a union. Prob
ably not one-tenth OF the entire govern
ment force would join an organization
which would challenge the power of the
government and which would. be required
to conduct an expensive. heavily sacri-
ticing campaign for recognition.
A far better way to secure a redress of
grievances will be for the clerks to attend
strictly to their own business. abstain
from jealous watching over their asso-
ciates, do their work systema tically and
efficiently, obey orders scrupulously and
seek by such means to keep the standard
Of efficiency in the department high and
thus force respect and consideration.
The merit system is now well established,
and while there are perhaps isolated in
stances of favoritism without merit.
doubtless in every case where division
and bureau chiefs grant promotions there
| is a measure of reason in the actual work
of the clerk thus honored. In the Ions
run the favored clerks are those who dc
/! their work well and with the least com.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
A Senate Quorum.

The difference between the rules of the
House and the Senate was never more
clearly illustrated than by the action by
the latter body yesterday in overrulins
a decision of the Vice President to the
effect that on a roll call senators disclos-
ing their presence for the purpose of an
nouncing pairs with absent senators
should be counted as present for the pur-
pose OF constituting a quorum. This is
the practice which obtains in the House
of Representatives, being a fundamental
part of the present rules designed to per-
nit the transaction of business. This
rule was adopted to correct an evil which
had developed during years of filibuster-
ing Members sat in their places in the
House and refused to answer to their
names when the roll was called. Speaker
Cannon adopted the perhaps revolution
airy but obviously practical method of
counting quorum, assuming the right to
note the presence of members physically
in evidence. whether they chose to avail
themselves of the opportunity and the
right to vote or not.
Vice President Sherman's ruling yester-
day was based upon the same doctrine,
that a member of legislative body is
POtOhbohS ali purposes, an
active unit in the legislative body when
he is physically within the legislative
chamber. If he has tied himself with a
pair he retains the right at any time to
absolve himself from his obligation in
order to enable the Senate to do business.
On the other hand, if he feels that his
pair is a paramount obligation he has
only to step outside of the Senate cham
Der to make it fully effective. If he
remains within the call of a quorum he
can be brought pack upon the floor of the
Senate and there counted for the purpose
of disclosing the presence of a sufficient
number to do business.
Under the ruling of the Senate at pres
ent. in the form of yesterdays vote to
override decision of the chair, the pres
ence of quorum on the floor is not
significant of anything whatsoever if a
sufficient number OF those present are UNI
der restrictive pairing obligations. Thus
the call for quorum may be entirely
ineffective and the Senate may oscillate
in a close situation. with a large number
of members present beyond the reach of
call, between the physical presence of a
quorum and the technical absence of a
voting quorum. The Senate has now by
a formal and overwhelming VOTE seven
teen to thirty-seven. expressed its in
sistence upon this practice, largely it
would seem because it has always been
the practice and not necessarily because
it is logical or sensible or conducive to
the transaction of business. 1t may be
that yesterdays vote was Influenced to
some extent by the fact that the decision
which was negatived came virtually from
the lower branch of Congress, In which
the present presiding officer of the Senate
learned the lesson of how to do business
in a parliamentary body.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

ton of gas from the leaking pipe.
which. mixed with the air. formed a
most destructive explosive. A spark
may have been caused by short cir
cult on the third rail Of the railway
line or some workman may have care
lessly thrown a match after lighting
pipe.
AS far as can be judged there was
no one to blame for this shocking dis
aster. Yet it would seem that those
dealing with gas and electricity and
other dangerous forces would be under
such a heavy sense of responsibility
that any mishap. however slight. to
any part of the system would cause
them to take instant precautions to
prevent further damage. This acct
dent will doubtless teach it's lesson
and cause Tightening of the precau
lions throughout all railway systems
where gas and electricity are used in
conjunction. 1t will probably point out
to architects the unwisdom of in
closing gas pipes in breakable pillars
situated directly in line Of the tracks.
1t may cause the adoption of a more
enect1ve bumper. The fact that the
chances are against the repetition Of
this particular combination of causes
does not lessen the necessity for util-
ling every phase Of the disaster to
cause a change in construction methods
and administrative practices. Nothing
can be done to bring back those whose
lives have been thus needlessly sac
rificed. but their loss may become val
liable in emphasizing with the force OF
tragedy the vital importance of the
most scrupulous attention to every de-
tail in the handling Of the latent forces
of destruction.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
The Case of Lorimer.

1t is hard to see where Senator Lori
nter can take comfort from the So
called vindication given him by the
subcommittee of the Senate committee
on elections which investigated the
charges of bribery made in connection
with his election to the Senate; and if
there is no comfort for Senator Lori
mer in the situation, certainly there is
none for citizens who still retain some
hopes for the betterment of politics.
The subcommittee did not pretend to
say that there had been no bribery
connected with Lorimer's election.
With the personal confessions of sew
eral members of the legislature that
they had been bribed staring the COM
mittee in the face, such a claim was
little strong even for this commit
tee to produce. Therefore. waving
the matter of whether members of the
legislature had been bribed or not. the
committee reached the conclusion that
Dir. Lorimer had been elected without
regard to the members said to have
been influenced by financial considera-
tiOns. In other words. the committee
declares that if the votes of members
charged with giving or taking brides
were eliminated, Lorimer would still
have a majority of three votes On the
day LOrimer was elected senator it re-
quired 10e votes to elect, and in the
morning just that many votes were
cast for him. Afterward. six more
votes, that might be classified of the
"band wagon variety, went over to
him. giving him 10S votes. OF these
votes fifty-three were cast by demo-
Gratis and fifty-five by republicans. If
the fact of men cOnfessing to the dirti-
est political crime on the calendar
that of bribing and of taking brides,
means anything, then there were GER
tainly seven tainted votes in Lorimer's
los. and these taken away would re-
duee his vote below the necessary
number for election. II seven tainted
votes can be pointed out. only heaven.
and d few politicians in Illinois, can
tell how many there were not yet I'M
covered. How many there were, how
ever. does not matter. The people in
terested in Lorimer's election were not
children or idiots, and it is a perfectly
safe assumption that If only one man
was bribed the vote of that one man
was absolutely necessary to elect.
But this is all beside the real issue.
Is honesty a question of mathematics?
Can the purity of elections be juggled
with in this crude way? An egg is
either rotten or 1t is good. 1t can't be
both and an election Is either clean or
1t is rotten and illegal. Lorimer was
either elected without bribery and
should be seated with a clean bill of
health, or there was bribery in his
election, whether of seven. ten or
thirty members and he should be
turned out With the awakened con-
science of the American people de-
manding common honesty in politics.
ton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Unmistakable Results.

All sanity now the children seem,
With faces clean and bright.
The janitor keeps up the steam
With patient care all night.
The grocer's boy, with punctual gait,
Comes smiling to the door,
And courteous folk make haste to wait
Upon you at the store.
So We who clamored for reform
Behold with deep delight
To note the kindness so warm
Which moves the world Alright.
The influence strange which now hold:
sway
Leaves little patience with
The skeptics who make bold to say
Old Sanity is myth,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
aint about conditions and the least jeal-

plaint about conditions and the least jeai-
ousy of others.
AS for the question of hours. the matter
must be left to the good judgment anu
the sense Of fair play of the Preslaeii'
and the cabinet officers. 1t lies "hoilS
within the right of the administrator ~
lengthen the hours if it seems to be heces'
sary, and no amount of indignant pTotes'
on the part of the clerks will aVali 81
much as the performance of duty IN
manner. to make the longer hours I'M
necessary.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
No More Anglo-Saxons.
rom the New York Times

Having discovered that the Anglo
Saxon race was nearly extinguished by
William the COnqueror in the battle OF
Hastings. and that the few remnants of
1t in the United States are of no account
this country being largely peopied by
Celts, TeutOns, Scandinavians and Lat
ins. the Asiatic Exclusion League, at a
meeting in San Francisco, has graveIy re-
solved to expunge the outworn compound
word from all its documents and substi-
tute the word American. There will be
no serious objection. ANY American
would rather be called that than Anglo
Saxon. But the old word will survive
even this harsh usage in literature, and
the Exclusion League might better not
have committed itself to queer idea OF
what William did at Hastings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
The Pork Barrel.

Again the pork barrel. Secretary Mac
Veagh withholds estimates for public
buildings to the amount of twenty-six
million dollars. and the House is in
arms 1t is now or never with some OF
the members. They will not be members
of the next House, and they may never
appear on the congressional scene again
il these last testimonials of attachmen,
to the interests of their constituents fan
Logrolling? Breathing will be banished
as soon as that. Crushed to earth, il
rises again.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Problem of Promoting Peace.
From the New York Sun

tHe NEW IUrk
The difficulty of the task which con-
fronts the trustees of the Carnegie peace
fund cannot we'll be exaggerated. 1t is
easy enough for a lot of well known pub
lie men to sit down at dinner and tell
themselves and the community that peace
is a great and good thing, but such talk
true as it may be, helps very little
toward the solution Of the problem how
to spend $500,OOO a year in the actual
promotion of peace throughout the
world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
SHOOTING STARS.
By PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Relentless Reminder.

$50 YOU don't consider calendar
pleasant and friendly souvenir
Not exactly. You can't expect a man
to be i'm a sociable and sentimental mood
when he's running through the dates
ahead to see how many days his note has
to run"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

81 likes to see man hab a good opinion
of hisself. said Uncfe Eben. "if he tries
to live up to it. Std o. maxim a fool
outn his own judgment"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Among the Delinquents.

walk?''
Eyes" replied Mr.. Crosslots; "but I'm
afraid I made mistake. Some of the
neighbors seem to regard a clean side
walk as sign that you are trying to put
on airs"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
The Brute.

81 made those biscuit myself said
young Mrs. Torkins.
They're fine replied her husband /:
"only they're too thick. for poker chips
and too big for overcoat buttons
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Will Be Discreet.

From the Baltimore Star.
While DR.. Wiley issues pure food ad-
monition to the nation, it is dollars to
doughnuts that he won't cavil at the first
pan of biscuits in his new home.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Turkeytide.

Fen if a songbird sought the tree,
We'd scorn his melody so sweet.
The present favOrite seems to be
\ bigger bird that's good to eat.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

DR.. Cooks statements may make it nee
essary to include an insanity expert In
the personnel Of the next exploring ex-
pedition.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Friendly efforts are being made to re-
heve the next Speaker Of a great many Of
the irksome responsibilities which attach
to the position.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Clark and the Speakership.

From the Richmond Virginian.
Champ Clark continues to prosecute
his campaign for the speakership Just
as though he had not already been
chosen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Abused.

From the Rochester Herald.
Mr. Taft Is opposed to the franking
privilege. 1t has been so sadly abused
by the politicians that it ought to be
abolished.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

An invitation to put in additional hours
of work is not regarded by government
employees as an especially inspiring hoh
day greeting.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Steamships are taking advantage of
the temporary retirement of Walter
Wellman to attempt something spectac.
u1ar in the way OF ocean travel.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Rules threaten to become almost as
steady a topic for congressional argu-
ment as the tariff
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

One beauty about donation by Mr..
Carnegie is the implied assurance that
there is plenty more where that came
from.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Christmas Colors.

From the New York Herald.
1t really does not matter SO much
whether we have a green or white
Christmas, but every one should lend a
helping hand to see that no one has a
blue Christmas.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

England Is great disappointment to
statesmen who favor the landslide style
Of politics
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Every now and then there is an at
tempt to hold the dove of peace up to
International suspicion as a myth.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Castro cannot fail to note that Vene-
zuela does not attract nearly as much
attention as it did when he was president
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Santa Claus and Uncle Sam are among
the very few figures in modern public life
who cling to picturesque whiskers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
A Public Prejudice.

From the Chicago Record Herald.
The people of this country seem to be
unwilling to accept any man as their
permanent prophet.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

The next step i'm Panama canal devel-
opment is to devise satisfactory pay
aS-yOu-enter system.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Do It Early.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer
Count that day lost whose low descend
ing sun views from thy hand no early
shopping done.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

For 'sFHir1.
CHARTERED Oak Morris Chairs,
spring seat, hair-filled cushions. YlO.Co
CHARTERED Oak Morris Chairs, heavy
plain design, with reversible cIroo
hair-filled cushions. ..............
Mahogany Morris Chairs. with rever-
sihle hair-filled cushions and c1Qoo
best spring seat. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Solid Mahogany Morris Chairs. hand
carved, with felt-filled cush- SoS.o0
ions. ...-.................
CHARTERED Oak Revolving ONCE Chairs.
with arms and saddle $3.50
Cellarettes. mission style,
fitted with revolving Bottle SIooo
Solid Mahogany Rockers. up Ss.o5
holstered in ereen... #"
Early English Cellarettes, made to nj
in corner with copper top, patent ca'ch
lock. double doors and re- $500
yolying bottle rack......
Oak Combination Chiffonier So2 "a
and Shaving Stand.................
Smoking Tables. with ash re- SscO
celyGf. '''''''
Roll-top Desks, for the ST. "a
home or office. To|
Reading Chairs and Rock O.
ers, upholstered in leather......... p@o'Oo
Fine Rattan Side Chairs, fitted with
tapestry cushions, seat and c,o-o
back. 'J
Solid Mahogany Rockers, and Chairs
to match with arms and saddle
Sixth and Seventh floors, Ct
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Spicy.

From the Providence Journal.
Mr.. Pepper of Philadelphia is now pro-
posed for the Supreme Court. The con-
test is getting hot.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20


The motto now is, eff you can't shol
early, shop as early as you can.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

The first thing China's new assembly
did was to develop an insurgent move
ment
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Hints for Christmas Week Shoppers.

mArppngm Ehpa hundreds
o. morning much the y the
before B h h g however,
un rig caution AIKEN prev
doudmo uwsemadu rep when Purchases nj ih for cutoff friends
for forwarding " re B create Shopping
Cards The uh d pk pb A
p@h 4mYlg
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Gifts i'm Furniture
For 'SF1irm'' and ''F1er. -

1S7 E. doubt woube pleased receive Handsome Nor
)lE7I ris Chair. comfortable Reading Armchair, Re-
jill y volvng Chair for his office.
She would gladly welcome pretty Rocker for her
boudo beroom Chair for her desk dressing table;
Side Chair for the parlor. a Comfort Chair.
Our stock of these gift pieces comprehensive including
does broad assortment of styles and designs Rockers
"Comort Rockers Armcas Bedroom Boudo Rockers
Chairs Hall Chairs Desk Chairs, Dressing Tables Office Chairs
Smoking Tables Sewing Tables quartered oak weaered
oak mahogany, mahogany insh brd's-eye maple,
We have selected the following items being
of this complete holiday stock
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
Utility Boxes.

rN ART1CULARLY appro-
HIM pirate for Christmas gifts
lNk are the handy Utility
I'LL Boxes. Some are as
large as ordinary trunks and
have trays and various compart-
ments. They are of cedar and
other hardwoods. All of them
have a pronounced Japanese air.
Many are covered with very fine
closely woven mating and elabo-
rately adorned with bamboo trim
mings, some of which are formed
into floral decorations.
Excellent values are represent
ed in the following:
A lot of Bamboo Boxes. in q nice size:
suitable for shirt waists. etc.
Special price, $2.25 each.
A lot of Cedar Boxes, made of the best
grade of cedar, and wax finished.
Special price. $3.50 each.
A lot of Skirt Boxes. well made and
seats.
Special price, $3.50 each.
A lot of very heavy, we'll made Boxes
fitted with heavy legs: size 161sx3211
inches.
Special price. $3.50 each.
Also Fine Cedar Box Seats and
Chests, in all sizes. Also Cedar
Dover Chests and Copper-bound
Chests, in large variety.
$3.50 to $500 each.
Second floor st.
D-~~~ ~rn>N Hnn.c D@N~
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Pipe Racks. $50 each, upward.
Tobacco Jars, csc each, upward.
Cuspidors, 25c each, upward.
Match Holders, Ioc each, up
ward.
Ash Trays, 1oc each, upward.
Mustache Cups and Saucers,
25c each, upward.
Fifth floor. G. at.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Entered as second-class mail matter at the post
ONCE at Washington. D. c..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20

Payable in advance-by mail, postage prepaid:
Daily. Sunday included, one month. go cents.
Daily. Sunday excepted. one month. 40 cents.
Saturday Star. 81 year. Sunday Star. 81 40 year.