davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
The Civic Awakening.

At the recent dinner of the Associated
Bankers at Philadelphia it was proposed
to correct whatever faults there may be
in civic and national administration by
lessening the responsibility of the gov
eminent and by enlarging the power of
the people. This was opposed by the
plan of George Wharton Pepper, the
noted economist of the University of
Pennsylvania, who contended that, in
order to correct such faults, the govern
ment ought to be made responsible.
One would not seek to correct evils
in corporation policies by abolishing
directors and taking away executive
power, substituting direct action by
the stockholders in minor matters. 1t
would be more appropriate to increase
the responsibility of directors and exeu-
tives and enforce a more strict account
ability upon them. On the same prin-
ciple, the stockholders in the civic cor
porations of city, State, and nation have
nothing to gain by abolishing an effec-
tive working organization when they
can enforce their will by holding their
representative administrators and legis-
lators to strict accountability.
Both sides are agreed that there are
evils, and that their cure lies in a great
civic awakening. One believes it neces-
sary that there should be new ma
chinery of government; the other in
sists that it merely is necessary for the
people to properly use the familiar ma
chinery of the established representative
system. These two views succrnctly
state a great question which is before
the American people to decide.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

whereby the political sovereignty is
invested in the electorate through the
machinery of representative government.
This is the system which has been I'M
paired by recent encroachments of the
House of Lords, and which the govern
ment is resolved to restore.
Lord Lansdowne makes light of this
constitutional question. "As if" he
said, "the constitution had broken down
merely because the government had not
been able to secure the passage of GER
tain measures" The point is not the
mere failure to pass certain measures ;
it is the method by which this failure
has been brought a6oA, sThe constitu-
ton has broken down because the politi-
cal sovereignty of the people has been
destroyed, because representative govern
ment has been reduced, because minor
ity of the electorate has assumed power
by means of the permanent Tory ma
iority in the House of Lords to over
ride the majority as expressed by the
Commons This, concisely stated, is the
situation which confronts Great Britain.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
Our Boy Scouts.

Mr.. Taft, by receiving the members
of the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America at the White House,
has directed national attention to a
movement which, while its underlying
motives are military, still possesses GER
tain merit in times of peace.
The boy scout idea was conceived
slime years ago in England by Gen.
Badcn-PoweIl with the object of devel-
oping stalwart youth and manhood to
aid in the defense of Britain in case of
war. In this country the movement has
taken a different form. Here we en-
phasize the inculcation of honor, loyalty,
obedience, courtesy. and a kindly de-
meanor. To the credit of the American
boys, it must be recorded, they have
taken very ready to the idea Scout COM
panies have been organized everywhere,
both in large cities and in rural districts.
The boys are taught to walk long dis
tances, to run, to learn the art of wood
craft, to cook, to save money, to signal,
and, mainly, to defend themselves; IN
short, to be self-reliant. These objects
may be, and no doubt are, accomplished
in any boys camp of the Young Mems
Christian Association, but such camps
usually are held only few weeks in the
summer.
No boy can be made too self-reliant.
nor can his sense of honor, loyalty, and
general efficiency be too highly develop
ed. These Companies of disciplined boys
should result in a strongr-bodied and
stronger-n1inded set of men.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
Scores CAV Youth.

Prof. c. NJ. Gayley. Of the University
Of California. who was recently seen at
the Arlington. in speaking of "our young
people said: How many nights
week does the student spend in pursuits
nonacademic? How great a portion of
his days? What with so-called college
activities by which he must prove his
allegiance to the university, and social
functions, by which he must recreate
his jaded soul, no margin is left for the
one and only college activity, which Is
study Class meetings, business meet
ings. editorial meetings, football rallies,
baseball rallies, vicarious athletics on the
bleachers. garrulous athletics IN dining
room and parlor and on the porch, re-
hearsals of the glee club, rehearsals OF
the mandolin club and of the banjo, re-
hearsals for dramatics. college dances
and class banquets, fraternity dances
and suppers; running up and down In
college politics, making tickets, pulling
wires, adjusting combinations, canvass
ing for votes-canvassing the girls for
votes. spending hours at sorority houses
for votes - talking. thinking rubbish
about pseudo-civic honor. rubbish about
girls-what margin of leisure is left for
the one activity of the college, which is
study?"
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
VIEWS AND
INTERVIEWS
War Between Germany and England

war Between Germany and England
Rene Escudier. OF Paris, France, a
young gentleman who is visiting this
country studying American banking meth
DDS, is at the Shoreham. He Is a son of
NJ. Escudier. a member of the Chamber
of Deputies of France, or French Par
Lament, and seems unusually well in
formed on the European political sttIa-
ton.
Germany and England are bound to
have a war said NJ. Escudier. where
ever you go in England you find German
merchandise displacing the English prod
uct. This naturally means a loss to the
English manufacturer, as wen as to the
workman. 1t finally means the very ex-
istence of England But England should
have gone to war with Germany right
after the Boer war: that was her time
It's almost too late now. Germany has a
big navy and is adding to 1t rapidly, and
she will be stronger than England in a
few years.
The relations between France and Ger
many are cordial" continued NJ Escu-
dier. BY that do not mean to say
that the French people recognize the
treaty of Frankfort, which despoiled
France of Alsace-Lorraine. We can
never do that. We realize that Ger
many's population is increasing rapidly
and that France is practically standing
still, but some day there viii be a gen
eral blow-up in Germany. and then our
opportunity will have arrived
Business in France is very good, and
a.
lister. NJ. BRAND. is a statesman OF the
first rank, and his ability has been shown
in the able manner in which he diSpoSes
OF the most difficult questions which
present themselves" ~
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

/ Senator Gore walked in to his seat the
other day looking a triffe worried
well, how's everything?' inquired a
fellow-Senator.
"Oh, I've just had bad news from down
in Oklahoma" replied Gore in a tone
of much annoyance. Somebody's been
circulating a slanderous story about me
a story that there is not word of truth
in. It's been reported down there, ac-
cording to a letter I've just received. that
paired during vote the other day with
damn Republican"
Miles Poindexter, Senator-elect from
the State of Washington. was more or
less of an insurgont, by temperament.
even before he ever came to Congress.
He used to break loose and start things
as early as when he was a prep school
pupil-down at Fancy Hill Academy, in
Virginia.
There came to the school one day a
tall pupil several years older than most
of the other students. He wore lavender
trousers and long black coat. So Poin-
dexter, aged thirteen, saw that some
thing would have to be done. He put
various propositions UP to the other pur
pills, but they feared the newcomer who
was larger than any of them, might give
them trouble unless treated kindly.
Young PoindeXter was obliged to look
after the stranger alone and unaidpd.
He went to him and explained that at
one class, it was customary for each
pupil to pause at the threshold. on en-
Tnrinp ~
for the reason that the instructor was a
sort OF a crank about things spiritual
II the newcomer would repeat a verse,
casually. the first day he appeared in
that class. it would make tremendous
hit with the professor. so young Poin-
dexter suggested. He left the taIl pupil
looking for a verse, and hurried on in to
his class. TO be on hand when anything
happened.
The tall pupil entered the doorway
paused. gave a military salute. and re.
marked meekly but in a loud voice:
Blessed are they that eXopect nothing.
for they shall not he disappointed"
The professor called for explanations
and the next evening young Miles Poin-
dexter. future House insurgent. was
Obliged to stay after the others had gone
and commit to memory The Wreck of
the Hesperus."
Insurgent Norris doesn't care for mus
taches, yet he wears one.
Norris father died when he was a wee
lad and left his mother with twelve chill
dren to support The boys soon realized
the necessity OF having 10 help the
mother in her fight to provide for them,
and one of the Nebraska insurgents ear
liest memories is Of picking up sticks OF
kindling for his mother as rapidly as
she could chop them up. He was barely
able to toddle around. but he was anx-
ious TO be Of some help. One OF the
sticks few up and hit him on the upper
lip so hard that il knocked him uncon-
scious and nearly cut the lip in two.
There is an ugly scar on his lip yet,
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
To Be Settled Before Coronation.

The British government, fortified by a
renewed vote of confidence from the
people, as expressed in the recent general
elections, means to go ahead with the
Parliament bill, which is to be intro
duced in the House of Commons to-
morrow This determination was i'm
piled IN the text of the Kings speech
from the throne at the opening of Pariia-
ment detailed reports of which are con-
tained in the latest London papers, and
in which the Kings speech is given the
first, almost the only, place. This same
determination also was apparent from
the prime minister's speech following
the Kings address. "a.
In view of financial exigencies, and
m order to-ciear the way for the Pariia-
ment bill, the ministers propose to take
the whole time of the house UP to Easter.
The Parliament bill must, of course, be
fully debated N the House of Commons; !;
but, though It's importance is great, the
actual clauses are few, and discussions
are rather on questions of principle than
on matters of detail The cabinet be-
heVes, and Mr.. Asquith so said, that
the bin viii pass the House of Commons
in time to be considered by the House
of Lords before the date of the corona
ton. This viii commend itself to the
country. Ii IS desirable that the consd-
tutional crisis be adjusted before the
date of that great ceremonial
The object of the Parliament bin Is
succinctiy stated IN the Kings speech.
It's Ito secure the more effective work
ing of the constitution" Now what-in
broadest outline-is the British consti-
tutionf 1t is as every one until
recentiy would have agreed, a.-system
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
En- GIish Prisons

William E. Earle, of London. who is
IN this country making special studies
Of American prisons. was seen at the
New Willard.
Discussing English prisons, Mr.. Earle
said: '"Nine-tenths Of the tcket-of
leave men have known have gone back
to prison for other ofenSes- That proves
conclusively that the present prison sys-
tenn is not reformatory, however severe
the punishment may be. More evil Is
done by our prisons than good. Prisons
degrade men and manufacture criminals;
for the first offender, having had his
manhood crushed out of him, and feeling
himself utterly disgraced, associates with
men whom he has known in prison He
has few other friends left He finds
the world set against him after he has
served his sentence, and, in despair of
claiming the acquaintance of honest men
again. he usually sinks lower and lower.
THE treatment in prison is much more
than a punishment: it is souI-killfng;
and human beings are daily exposed to
the worst tyranny and oppression. The
public does not hear these stories. or the
humane would cry out that they are a
blot on our vaunted justice and must be
ended
IT have known two mutinies in pris-
ons. Both were brought about because
prisoners. many Of them hardened GRIM
inals. refused to stand by and see their
feIlow-convicts brutally created. More
than a hundred men were afterward pun
ished for their INSTRUMENTATION, but the
warters were upheld. 1t was only the
felons' word against the officials"
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
woman's Beauty wanea.

Prof. Reinhart Thilo, Of Berlin. who
was seen at the Arlington recently. is
responsible for the assertion that wo-
mans beauty is fading faster in the
United States than in Germany, but that
the same causes are at work in both
countries.
THE first Of these" said the profess
sor, rs excessive Indulgence in outdoor
sports. I think it well that the size
of wornen's hands and feet be increased
by outdoor sports for their worship of
small hands and feet is pure fedchism.
But too much exercise spoils the feminine
curves and produces mmpy, muscular ex-
crescences where nature intended smooth
roundness.
The second cause running woman's
beauty is her craze for a slender figure.
The so-called robe. 'CoIlante, simply
falslfes the natural lines and injuries
health. The craze for slenderness is
working harm, particularly in the United
States and Sweden.
Thirdly, the change in the feminine
mind. in woman's way of thinking, is
affecting her outwar1 appearance. For
example, instead of desiring sincere love,
American women encourage filtration.
That motherliness which appears clearly
in the best medieval statuary and paint
ngs, even OF nraidens. is disappearing
from the features Of American WOMEN"
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
THE LATEST THUNDERER.
Newest British Battle Ship to Have
Powerful Battery, but Not Speed.

From the London Times.
The most interesting feature of the new
British battle ship Thunderer, which was
launched on the Thames last week, is the
relation of horsepower to tonnage and
speed Her tonnage when ready for sea
is to be 22,50O and her horsepower is to
be 1900, and yet it is calculated that
she will have a speed of only a little
more than twenty-one knots. That will
not be an extraordinary speed for a
heavy battle ship, for it has been
equaled by vessels of even less horse
power. Thus the King Edward VII has
1900 horsepower and IS knots speed.
while the DreadnOught requires 5000
horsepower to give her q knots, and the
Neptune, with 5000 horsepower. will
scarcely exceed q knots. The slight
surprising of p knots with 1900 horse
power shows the difficulty of increasing
speed.
This British battle ship will have a
remarkably powerful battery. consisting
of ten 1319-inch guns of 45 calibers'
length, placed in pairs in five turrets.
all on the center line of the ship. The
second and fourth turrets are TO be
nlSner Indn the ITSL ana Ulln, SO JIdC
their guns can be fired over the latter.
Thus it will be possible to fire simulta-
neously four guns straight ahead or
straight astern. The central turrret will
be between the tunnels. so that its guns
cannot be trained ahead or astern, but
all ten guns can be fired in broadside
and in any direction through an arc of
$50 degrees.
The name OF this fifth Thunderer is
reminiscent of a century and a half of
British naval development The first of
the name was a 74-gun ship of 1863 tons.
launched in r76O, which was employed
in the wars with France and was lost in
a West Indian storm in 177S. The second
was a similar vessel, of LOO tons, which
was launched in 17S3, and fought in the
First of June" a Trafalgar. at the
opening of the Dardanelles, and at Co
penhagen. The third was of 2279 tons
and 81 guns, launched in 1881. She fought
at St Jean d'Acre, and ended her days
as a target ship, on which the guns OF
others were exercised. The fourth Thun-
derer, launched in 1872. was an ironclad
turret ship of low freeboard, carrying
four big guns in two turrets, fore and
aft, and was of 1851 tons, with her mate,
the Devastation, setting a new fashion
in naval construction.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
The Overcrowded Street Car.

1t is pleasant to learn that in Liver
excessive overcrowding of street cars,
even during the opening and closing
business hours of the day, when traffic
is heaviest" The authority for this
statement is Vice Consul Stephenson,
ard his Official report must be accepted
as accurate
The conditions in other European
cities, as set forth in these consular re-
ports, indicate that the problem of the
overcrowded street car has been at
tackled and solved abroad with larger
degree of success than in Washington.
There are several reasons why this is
the case In the first place, some of the
cities, like Birmingham, give the police
authority to regulate the loading and TN
loading Of passengers, and consequently
there is no rushing or crowding to get
on the cars Then, as in Liverpool,
Leeds, Marseilles, and Berlin, there is
a very large increase in transportation
facilities during the so-caIled rush
hours In MarseiIles, the service is
doubled and trebled morning, noon, and
evening. and in Liverpool the increase in
the number of cars operated during the
periods of heavy traffic is 6S per cent.
There is one factor in the European
street car situation which has never been
made the subject of experiment here
This is the enactment of laws which
forbid the street cars to carry more than
d certain number OF passengers. Thus,
in Brussels, overcrowding on street cars
is strictly prohibited. and does not oc-
cur, the number of passengers being
restricted by city regulations. which are
enforced by the car conductors and the
police. In Berlin, police regulations are
in force specifying the total carrying
capacity OF each car, with certain excep-
tions upon holidays or unusual occa-
sions. In Belfast, when the car is COM
fortably filled, the conductor declines to
allow any more passengers on board |
In fact, there is, all over Europe. a gen.
eral understanding between the authori-
ties and the public which results in COM
fort for those who ride upon the cars.
This cooperation, which is so gen.
eral abroad, must be a matter of edu-
cation here. At present, the American |
public does not brook delay 1t will not !
wait Twoscore of people will crowd !
upon the first car, to their own great |
inconvenience and discomfort, instead of |
allowing each car to proceed upon its
way as soon as it contains a restricted |
number of passengers. Out of respect, |
apparently, for this American love of |
haste, the authorities have never at
tempted to solve the problem of over
crowded cars by adopting the European
system here 1t would be interesting to |
know Just what the result would be if |
the experiment were tried. Certain it is !
that if the street railroads were COM
PEELED, upon the one hand, to operate the
possible maximum of cars, and the pub
lie, on the other hand, was controlled |
by regulations such as are in vogue
abroad, the present discomfort of the
rush hour would be almost if not quite
eliminated
The American city that first under
takes to secure this combination will /
afford an object lesson of interest to
every other municipality in the United
States.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

although of American Panase
born n
ovecoat SILK
a pair gloves his life.
he
idgee
in Denver
His mother
oBrien, of London In
araur born in switzerland
In his youth he was fish peddier fnd later baker and s
paint \
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
A Historic Tree.
Prom the London Globe.

The famous oak Of Beaumarchais,
which formerly fiourished on the Quai
dOrsay, has fallen to the woodman's ak.
The spot is historic, for in days past
il was the locus of the residence of the
author of the Barber of Seville" The
tree has seen vicissitudes. It was under
its spreading branches that Beaumar-
chats instructed the daughters of Louis
XIV in music. and there were heard the
harp of Nine. Victoire and the violin of
Nine. Adelaide. In later times the sweet
strains Of music gave place to the fumes
of a tobacco factory. which was sit
uated on part of Beaumarchais's lands
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
Out of the Dim Past.

From the Chicago Tribune.
The workmen were building the Tower
of Babel
What is the object of this, may
ask?' said the distinguished stranger
who had happened along
The object" said the architect, '-fs to
make the Eiffel tower look like a small
cap " upside down.
Then came the confusion of tongues,
and for centuries the thing looked like
the unfinished palace Of New York mil
Iionaire.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

seats caned by these men. The main
thing is that they are given work and
pay at once, and the chance to find more
work, so that they can lift up their heads
again and look the world in the eyes
and feel that they have been restored to
the self-respecting status of other men
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
Washington Herald. Church Pas,

Editor The Washington Herald
wish to say a word Of commendation
OF the sincerest kind in reference to the
page of church news that you are pub
fishing every Saturday. 1t fills a want
that has in reality been a want for some
time, and it cannot help but be bene-
fetal in many ways. It is well edited and
gives a knowledge of what is going on
in our churches. 1 trust that It will be
continued. EDWARD TARRING.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

One hundred women from England
have arrived at Halifax with the hope
Of becoming Canadian brides. II we are
any judge OF beauty through the medium
of a photograph. some Of them may
have to buy a return ticket
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

new scheme has been worked to per
fection- A venireman in Kansas. when
questioned as to his fitness for jury serv-
ice, avowed his disbelief in our law sys-
tenn He was excused
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

It Will make little difference to the
plain people whether reciprocity comes
through the votes of Democrats or Re-
publications, 50 long as 1t does come.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
A LITTLE NONSENSE.
ANOTHER VIEWPOINT.

ANU II HEIR ne !" Il OH-NI
Sometimes my neighbors tell me jokes
That I have heard.
Sometimes the woes Of other folks
Seem quite absurd
A chap can't always get away,
And people bore me every day.
Perhaps my jokes are told to some
Who think them trite-
Perhaps my tales Of woe become
Annoying quite.
I never thought of it before,
But maybe sometimes Pm a bore.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

Considering the FoeIker- Gardner mix
up IN New York. It is little to be won
dered at that the papers there have moth
ing to say about Ohio recently.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

A metropolitan paper Is about to start
a guessing contest as to why Miss Arnold
left home. That win fetch her. She Is
bound to send in a guess.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

Ever since Banker Robin, according to
experts, has recovered his reason, his
case has dropped from sight in the
papers.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

Art for arts sake is Caruso's motto
and yet he refused to sign a contract
the other day because 5000 a perform
ance was not quite enough.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

A contemporary suggests that Mr.
Hitchcock ought now to make an effort
to impose a tax upon all tnsurgent news
PAPERS
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

Seventy-odd administrative Jobs, at a
total annual salary of $1,000, ought TO
be a potent force behind the good-road
system Of any State.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

A man shot IN Kansas is alive, owing
to his persistent habit of wearing his
heart on the right instead Of the left
side
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20

Even should the post-offfces be closed
Sundays, the bills would be in the first
mail Monday morning.
The Washington herald., 1911-02-20
Did Look Queer.

+|why is that woman so suspicious of
your
TITS this way. We live in the same
apartment house, and once, IN an un-
guarded moment, called on her"