davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Mnrn Postal Reform-

On yesterday We submitted some more
or less Illuminating remarks anent the
reform Of the rural mail carrier as at
present contemplated by Uncle Sans"
wide-awake and progressive Post-office
Department. We attempted to evidence
an appreciation of the courage and fore
sight incident to this timely undertaking.
Generally speaking, We are strong for
reform; specifically referring to the rural
mail carriers, we are rampant for II.
If we left the impression, however. that
the rehabilitation of the rural end OF our
postal affairs is the only thing by way
OF reform at present engaging the atten-
ton of Mr.. Hitchcock ct al, we certainly
did not intend to. Other weighty and far
reaching innovations are to be exploited.
In witness whereof, consider: Stamp
sellers hereafter must hand out their
wares to customers sticky side up-mean-
ing the sticky side Of the stamps, Of
course. Not that 1t matters materially,
perhaps. but that we must be careful as
We proceed to the discussion OF reform
in the Post-offlce Department It is we'll
enough always to differentiate sticker
from stickee, anyway. But, as the
French say. let us return TO our nut
ton"-which IN this case has to do with
germs. and not meat boycotts, as you
may have imagined
You see, Uncle SAM" via Mr.. Hitch
cock, is nightly afraid we may form
entangling alliances with the germs that
occasionally most do congregate on the
stamp sellers hands. The germs are
contented enough there, II appears, until
al opportunity to attach themselves 10
the stamps presents Itself. Not that the
germs love the stamp sellers hands less,
to be sure, but that they love mucilage
more. However-as we said before-the
edict has gone forth that the germ-laden
hands Of the stamp sellers must not come
In contact with the sticky side of the
stamps The Post-off1ce Department pro-
poses to stand firm between the Gus
toner and these particularly obnoxious
and pestiferous micro-organisms. though
the heaven themselves fall
In the meantime, such relatively un-
important things as the postal savings
bank end the parcels post viii have to
fight It out with Congress as best they
may.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
LATE ARRIVALS IN THEATERS.

From the Christian Science Monitor.
IN an ordinance recently passed in
Cleveland provision is made that fine
OF 500 be imposed upon any theater man
ager who permits patron to take a seat
while the curtain is up, the purpose evil
dently being 10 prevent late arrivals from
interfering with the comfort Of those al
ready seated. Whether this ordinance viii
stand the test Of practice remains to
be seen. But there IS no mistaking the
meaning and intent. and no doubt the
ultimate effct Will be the same as II the
penalty were imposed.
There is no galnsaying the fact that
those who disregard the rights OF others,
in public or In private, should, II unable
10 appreciate II for themselves. be taught
the lesson that selfshness IS unproht-
able. II is true that the victory gained
in requiring the removal OF hats in the
theater was the outcome Of an EFFORT
more OF less prolonged. but It was none
the less decisive as a verdict OF public
opinion. One can hardly doubt that the
outcome of this recent struggle for bet
ter manners in public places will be Just
as satisfactory.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

take tho test under the Executive re-
quirement would be obliged 10 take it,
which is like issuing an order that orders
shall be obeyed. In some Instances Off
GERS have been excused from taking the
test notably in the case of an officer
whose retirement on account of the test
would not have created a vacancy caus-
ing promotion, thereby exposing TO view
the suspected purpose Of the requirement
It would seem that. in the interest Of
naval discipline. something should be
done with naval officer who fails to
obey an order and does not give good and
sufficient reason for that failure. 1t ought
not 10 be a problem requiring profound
wisdom on the part or experts in naval
administration TO deal with these refrac-
tory members Of the personnel
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Citizens and Commissioners.

On next Monday evening the board
room wherein the District Commissioners
sit in solemn state will resound with ora
tory. It is proposed to have the repre-
sentatives of the citizens associations
appear before tLs Commissioners and set
forth the needs OF their various sections.
It will be an opportunity for the display
OF Lancasterian eloquence and Hender-
sonian argument We can already an
ticipate the fervent appeals which viii
be uttered in behalf of additional sub
urban sewers in the neighborhood Of
Brightwood, for better streets in Petworth.
for increased police protection in Brook
land. and for improved roadWays in the
southeast From the classic precincts Of
Georgetown viii come a plea for a park,
and even Tennallytown will not be silent.
We congratulate the Commissioners
upon their desire TO become acquainted
with the city's needs. Under the unique
government Of the District. the citizen
has no opportunity TO make suggestion
or point the way 10 much-desired local
improvement, except through such i'm
preston as may be made upon the Com
missioners. The latter. on their part
cannot visit every section of the District
and. indeed, only by great sacrifice Of
time and neglect Of other duties can they
get away from the multitudinous details
OF Office work. 1t Is worth while to de-
vote an evening to acquainting them
selves with conditions as they appear to
the residents and taxpayers OF various
localities. It IS true that even after the
Commissioners learn the desires of the
citizens representatives, they cannot al
ways accomplish results. The gantlet Of
Congressional legislation must be run.
and this Is not always easy. At the same
time. the Commissioners are much better
able to present the needs Of the District
when all the facts have been placed be-
fore them, ana It is quite certain that
they will be diligent in their efforts 10
secure affirmative action.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
1SsaaFF0DAY S2za49DlNY IN HISH0RAfEsz;zz
Life Insurance Established February 10.

The system Of life insurance nay be
said to have been established in London
In I7o6, with the opening for business in.
that city on February 10 Of the Amicable
Society for a Perpetual Assurance, This
Is generally recognized as the first life
insurance company. The rise of life in
surance may be traced 10 several sources.
The doctrine of probabilities developed by
Pascal and Huyghens as to games OF
chance was applied to life contingencies
by the great Dutch statesman, Jan De
Witt, in 1911, but it was not until some
years after that it was applied to life
insurance.
In 1886 there was hint OF modern life
Insurance I'm a London organization, and
this was followed by another association
two years after. The operators Of these
two institutions seem 10 have passed
away without giving to their successors
any clear account Of their plan Of opera
tions.
The plan Of the first association named
above was mutual-that Is, each member.
without reference TO age. paid a fixed
admission fee and a fixed annual pay
ment per share on from one to three
shares. At the end Of the year a portion
of the fund was divided among the heirs
OF deceased members in proportion 10 the
share held by each. In after years the
limitation as to age. occupation. and
health was added.
The earliest policy of which anything
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

definite is known was issued In London
in 1888. 1nsurIng the life Of one William
Gybbons for twelve months. This was
underwitten by thirteen persons acting
individually; the premium was $50 per
thousand.
Antedating the Amieable Company was
the Mercer Company. established In Lon
don in 1899, but this was more or less OF a
private institution, and was conducted
for the benefit of widows and orphans Of
subscribers, the members binding them
selves to pay shillings apiece to consti-
tute an indemnity to be paid on the death
Of each member. Several London compa-
MES established in ITO are still in exist
ence.
The first life insurance society estab-
lished in the United States was incorpo-
rated IN Philadelphia in 1883 II was
called the Presbyterian Annuity and Life
Insurance Company. The first general
life company, the Pennsylvania Company
for assurances Upon Lives and Granting
Annuities, was chartered in Philadelphia
in 1872
The amount OF insurance in force in the
various large countries at present shows
the wonderful extent 10 which this sys-
TEN has grown: United States dncluding
assessment insurance., so. .sO9, ,Ol5, 80; Great
Britain. S426.124.OOO: Germany. $4,000
COO: France. $7Z7. .657. .S5s: Austria, $57O.s2 :
$50; Scandinavia, s15O. .402, sol; Switzerland,
S144. 49, S54. and Russia. So, ,s59. 1862.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
BY YE LOCAL SCRIBE.
TWO CENTS

We trust Jim Henry viii rsturu
from Me1ico with a decoration from
the President Of that enterprisinE
republic
J. OTrin Fields Thursdayed n tbs
Department Of Justice and dined
with The department q Wickeg-
sham one evening this week.
DR.. H. /. Z. JohnsJu Tussdsyed
at the United States Capitol. Doc
likes 70 study the difference be
tween the dope given out on the
hil and the article that be hands
to his friends.
Nut Allies got as far as the Union
Station the one warm day this
week, but he struck 2 wave Of cold
air from the ventilatnr. and the
/ thoughts Of the storm that was ad-
yertised 10 come frightened him
and be returned TO GloyCsyil'c.
AIilt had intended 10 90 up 10 his
farm near Ha7pers Ferry.
Owing TO the fact that so many q
the contributors TO this column OF
The Big Stick have gone on on
their usual winter jaunts and other
unmentionable tacks. the items q
local interest in this issue viii
necessarily be limited. The Big
Stick has increased SO in popu-
larity, and its well-known and highly
paid writers have been called upon
70 do so much study 10 keep up
with the times and the city. that
each of the steadies is suffering
from nervous breakdown and other
varieties Of break. Thus It was
Necessary that they take a much
deserved holiday, in order 20 quiet
their nerves and the nerves Of the
readers Of this journal of uplift-
I We give fair warning. however, that
they viii Re on their job again next
week and the predictions Of a rested
brain viii enlighten, interest and
anuse our many thousand sub
/ scribers.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
A Leg Every Three Years

From the Boston Herald.
II you were offered SIS or a new leg
every three years. provided you had TO
wear an artificial leg which would you
choose? Prof. Franz II. Kirmayer, one Of
the teachers In the Bridgewater Normal
School prefers 10 have a new leg instead
Of cash. He is a veteran Of the civil
war. and the United States government
gives him the choice OF either having a
new leg or SO in cash.
In addition 10 this, the government
gives him the right 10 secure his leg any
where he wants 70, and the government
paws all his expenses, including car fare,
sleeper. and meals, 10 and from the place
he selects. II he wanted TO go 10 Ma
Mia 70 secure a new leg. ne would have
the opportunity TO do so.
Prof. Kirmayer has recently returned
from Minneapolis. where he had a new
leg fitted. and he Is delighted with t. Il
IS the best leg he has ever had, he de-
clares, or better than any since he lost
his real leg down IN Georgia in Sherman's
march TO the sea.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
The NaYal Personnel in Rebellion.

Nothing has been vouchsafed from the
inner recesses OF the Navy Department
concerning the 100 more or less, naval Of
fcers who are described as in a mutinous
attitude with respect to the annual physl-
cal test. Exactly how many officers are
in the class Of those who failed to make
that annual demonstration of physical
fitness has not been made officially
known. II is admitted. however, that a
considerable number Of officers did not
take the test in the last calendar year
and have not been able to furnish an
adequate excuse for their recalcitration.
A modified order at the beginning of the
new year stated that o&lcers who did not
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
WASHINGTON'S
INGENIOUS
INVENTORS
Some Bright Ideas by Our
Brightest Citizens.
D. S. Porter's Idea of q Perfect
Telephone = Mr.. CaIlshan's
Novel eroom-H How
Judge Wright Sails a Boat.

The Patent Ofice Gazette for the
current week contains interesting
descriptions and drawings Of some
Inventions by weIl-knOWn Washing
tonians The Big Stick hastens 70
give publicity 70 these ingenious
ideas.
Mr.. D. s. Porter has patented a
new kind Of telephone. 1t is carried
in the vest pocket. and whenever
you want 10 talk 70 your dearest
friend you take the phone out Of
your pocket. whistle three times,
and talk. Until the excise law IS
amended. this invention viii be
found most useful after midnight
A very novel stateroom has been
devised by ID. J. Callahan. 1t is
fitted with q gyroscope. and when
ever the tempestuGls waves dis
turb the equilibriam Of the South
land. the gyroscope reyolves and
the stAtero0m remains absolutely
level. The invention will be in use
IN the near future, and the room
has already been engaged by Ross z.
Andrews.
Judge Wright has invented a
bellows with a gasoline motor,
which will be IN demand by ali
persons who navigate in sailing
eraft. On calm days the motor
works the bellows and the bellows
blows the wind against the sail.
This invention will enable Judge
Wright to reach Blackstone Island
IA less than week.
The automobile invented by Joseph
NJ. Stoddard viii soon put all other
motor cars out Of existence. It has
gasoline tank whiOs never runs
dry, a spark plug which never gets
out of order, a set of tires which
never 60 flat, and an engine which
needs no oil. Mr.. Stoddard has
been offered a fabulous sum for the
royalty rights on this invention, but
has decided To keep a good thing
TO himself.
J. Henry Small's device for keep
Ing flowers always fresh viii attract
wide attention. When the flowers
are placed in jardiniere a small
electric pump is started and the
water is forced through the stems
to the blossoms This continuous
supply Of moisture does the trick.
The Illustrations Of the invention
show a sunfiower looking as pert
as an American Beauty.
~ A. x14.--sty. n.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
A LITTLE NONSENSE.
GIVE HER EVERYTHING.

VdFb HEIt y fsfa FHEEf~s
Clothes for women, coats for women,
Hats for women, too;
Clothes for women. beaux for women
Any kind will do.
Hips for women, trips for women,
Timely winter 1aunts.
'Tis inhuman to rob woman
OF thing she wants.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
SIGNS OF THE TINE.

Where are the signs Of the yester-
years,
On wall, on barn. on fencel
Where is the staring, Use Queer's
Soap
And "Brickdust is immense2"
Where Is the rakish "LoOney jim"
The ancient "BEufem's plow?''
Where are the signs Of the yeSter-
yearsl
They're IN the street cars noNl
II. W. FULLER
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
He Coz the job. but

From The Youkers Statesman.
What were you running for when l
saw you to-day, Sam2'
II heard OF some work. sab"
"And did you get the job, Sam?"
"I sure did. boss
What kind Of work did you procure,
Sam7"
some washing for m wife!'
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
A METEOROLOGICAL LAY.

Gusty and raw was the morning.
And sleet bespattered the lea,
The mercury hoTered near zero.
The day WAS as punk as could bel
For the Weather Man snug bad
predicted,
With a smile On his fare, oh. 30
rare.
Moderate winds from tho south
west;
Warm; even Temperature: fair"
JOHN Il WEAVER.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Contrasting Odors.

Look out of the window, Muriel Ferdy
is waiting on the doorstep with bunch
OF Vloets. How rOmantie!"
1T might have been romantic" com
planned the young lady. but the minute
I open the door he'll know we're having
cabbage for dinner"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
senators and statues.

From the Petersburg Index-Arpesl
Il seems not 70 have occurred 20 Mr.. Hepburn hat
Gen. Lees statue Is In the Han Of Fams under the
legal night and by the authority Of the State q
Virginia. lust as Daniel ard Martin are in the
United States Senate. The statue derives its right
from identically the scUrcs that the Senators
derive theirs and II would be no more ridiculous %
advocate their expulsion than il is 10 ask removal u
,ha gfatle
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

A French count about TO wed an
American girl protests that he IS mot
marrying her for her money" Never
theless and notwithstanding, It appears
that her father possesses an uncommonly
large wad Of the real stuff.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
sPEAKINc OF GEORGE.

G. Washington, that good old man,
HE could not tell a lie"
At least. that's what the story says,
Although on truth it's shy!
Old g., perhaps. could tell 'em pat
As well as you and !,
But this ven have TO hand TO G.:
Somehow his yarns got by!
A. h. PARRIS.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

Do not imagine that every man who
goes abroad is a plutOCrat. He may be
seeking an opportunity merely 70 enjoy
a few American products and comforts
at a price he can afford.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

A New York heiress to 100000 de-
clares she viii marry no man short of
her ideal" In booking about however,
she viii find the male contingent gen
erally willing TO waive for the moment
practically any old thing in the way Of
fault she may possess.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
4 solution.

II can't please my family with my mar
keting. What one likes. another doesn't -
Il know how il is. l have given the
matter deep thought. The only way 10
satisfy a household is TO hire a short-or-
der cook and run the home as family
hotel"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

Chicago reports the harvesting of the
finest fee crop ever knoVsl. There win be
plenty of time before the warm season,
however, in which to frame up an elegant
suficiency of excuses for not lowering the
summer price.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
RIFT in the Lutte,

"The magazines are buying lots Of
poetry nowadays"
Yes" admitted the dialect poet. but
things amt as they Oughter be- The
magazines decline 20 run long poems as
serials
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Dnmertir Note.

FTogn The Birmingham Ase-Heald.
1--WE noticed one thing"
"And what Is thatg'
"Whsn an man gets loaded it's usually
his wife who eXplodes."
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

Newspapers inclined stoutly to deny that
DIT. Cook ever reached the north pole
seem perfectly willing to admit that he
has visited practically every other place
on earth of late, nevertheless.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
what the Speaker Hears.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal
By putting his 10 the ground and listening 70
the political noise of the day the Speaker Of the
House finds that he Is listening TO no Canneu bsgL
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Actress and Poetess.

There may be quibblers who win object
to the word "poetess," but in juxtaposi-
ton to the word actress. We see no rea-
son for calling a pretty girl poet
Let this suffice as justification for the
use of the word in this connection.
The Grand United Brotherhood OF In
spired Poets. with headquarters in the
prosaic old town named Baltimore. have
shown a gaIlantry characteristics of this
profession, and have let down the bars,
admitting a captivating member of the
fair sex 10 their charmed circle. The
object Of this especial favor is Miss
Elsie Janis, who appeared before them
and individually and collectively charmed
the long hairs there assembled. Among
those gathered were Prof. Charles W.
Moore. the sage Of Pimlico; Prof. A. F,
T. stenzy, the bard of aviation; Prof.
Theodore o. W. Mckee, the muse OF con-
servatism. and Prof. II. Stannard, the
electric poet.
Upon being presented. the little actress
quoted some of her own verses. as fol-
lows;
AN ADIEU UP TO DATE.
She raised her eyes Of deepest blue
And looked night TO his heart.
Then said I'm soTy you must 90,
But best Of friends must part"
He took her little hand in his
And kissed its finger tips.
Well knew that be could not aspire
To press those ruby lips.
He looked back when he reached the door,
And softly said FAREWELL"
And when the fatal door had closed.
The maiden said. "Oh-well"
The applause that followed was tumul-
tuous. simultaneous. and soulfully ex-
pressive. Monumental Chapter, No. /.
Grand United Brotherhood Of Inspired
Poets. by unanimous vote elected Miss
Janis the first poetess. After the cleo
ton, various members of the brotherhood
recited some OF their own productions, but
We decline to infiiet them on our readers.
We have read them. and, while our
knowledge of poetry IS limited to the Sc
lections which appear on valentines, those
read at the brotherhood meeting did not
measure up to the standard. and We hope
that the poetess will set a good example
to her fellow-members.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Man of His Word.

From Judge.
'T thought you told me these lots
would double In value in two years, and
here's a man offering me exactly what
/ gave you for them.
Yes; but you forget you gave twice
as much as they were worth
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

We think, moreover, that It would be
a good idea at this time to see TO it that
the shock-absorbers and things around
and about the Outlook sanctum are in
first-class working order.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

The song of the first robin is heard
in the land" says the Deseret News. Not
for any considerable length Of time, how
ever; the changes in the weather keep
him guessing.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Recalls Hnhnnn,. rent.

From the Charleston Evening Post.
The maid who kissed Hobson first far as the
records show. after the MsTimac hero returned from
the East. has lost her heart 20 another. Poor Hob
sons fate was worse. He was kissed into Congress
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

imaginary coin TO be known as the "dilT'
probably failed TO remember that we
already have imaginary coins known as
easy money"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
COMIC VALENTINES.

Artie Dunn's valentine was 8
hand-engraved. beautifully illustrated
invitation 10 a ladies dinner.
Dick Orllahan received a valentine
that is a valentine-a promotion,
and well deserved one, at that
Gus Cook Is cunning for the per
son who sent him the comic valen-
tire entitled HE works willis he
sleeps"
Charlie Rogan says he v1l get
even with George Winters for send
ing him 3 cumic Of the King Of
Ireland.
Merritt o. Chances green Eng
hsh overcast was brought 70 bis
attention several times on 81. Valen-
tines Dsy.
". Clifford Long is looking for
the man who sent him that senti-
mental valentine and signed himself
L. NJ. +.
The number Of pretty, soul-insplr-
ing missives received by Jackson 5.
Elliott on February ii would fiji a
Senatorial pigeonhole.
All valentines received at the city
pOst-Offcs addressed to Little
Eva. with no house number. were
sent to Johnny ShTiVeT.
Billy Henshaw received so many
valentines last Monday that he pre-
sented each patron of his feed
trust with one a them.
B. II. Warner enjoys good verse
and Is an adnirer Of prose, but
when new hair restorer is poet
lied and sent him as comic valen-
tine. b. II. draws the line.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

wife and FIVE children What text from
which TO preach sermon on cowardice,"
says the Providence Journal. Oh. yes;
and on several other things.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

'The more those New York legislative
bribery cases are stirred the louder they
smell" observes a contemporary. Heaven
help our olfactory nerves this time next
week!
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19

"a Michigan professor says human
souls grow after DEATH" notes the Louis
vile Courier-Journal. Some men refuse
to permit their to grow this side OF the
grave.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
A Strenuous Occupation.

From the YoOkers Statesman.
Have you no occupation my man7''
asked the lady at the kitchen door.
''Yesm." replied the tramp; I'm a
wrestler
a wrestler"
"Yes'm; wrestle with poverty. num-
The Washington herald., 1910-02-19
Taft Retains Popularity.

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Senator JEFF Davis Of Arkansas. has come out
with an indorsrment Of President Taft. Aside from
that the President seems 20 be quite successful ia
retaining his popularity.