davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Wealthy Youth Turns
' Clerk for Brides Sake

CAMBRIDGE, Mass, April 23.-From
an excellently appointed dormitory on
the Harvard gold coast" Mt. Auburn
street, where the scions of hundreds of
wealthy families live while attending
Harvard, to a small furnished room on
Hemenway street, in the Back Bay dis
trict of Boston, is the change in en-
vironmcnt of Nelson Gammons. young
student, who, in defiance of his moth
er's wishes, married Mary Guiffre, for
mer wife Of Rufus Gaynor. son OF the
mayor of New York city.
The elopement of the wealthy young
student and the pretty italian girl was
one of the sensations Of the fall term
at the university and was Immediately
followed by the retirement OF Gammons
as a student.
Determined to make any sacrifice
rather than give up the wife who has
been responsible for his change in So
cial condition, Gammons has gone to
work as an assistant bookkeeper. Ev-
cry morning finds him hard at work on
the books OF j. Frank Cutter. automo-
bile dealer of Cambridge, and some
times until late in the evening he re-
mains there, bent upon learning the au-
tomobile business, which he has chosen
as his Lies work.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Wife Says Schmidt
Sanctioned Confession

CHICAGO, April 8.-Mrs. Anna
Schmidt has come here from st. Louis
to seek to save DR.. Haldane Cleminsor
from life imprisonment and to clear her
conscience of a torturing burden.
Mrs. Schmidt now confesses that she
spent a night of revelry with DR.. Glenn
inson on the night that his wife was
killed. Cleminson stands convicted OF
killing Mrs. Cleminson.
The affidavits setting forth Mrs
Schmidt's confession have been placed
in the hands of Cleminson's lawyers
and will be presented by them to the
court in a demand for new trial for
their client.
Mrs Schmidt, who is the wife of a
st. Louis liquor dealer, says that she
has been constantly tortured by the
knowledge that a confession from her
would save DR.. Cleminson from con-
viction. Finally, according to her story
she confided her secret to her mother
and then to her husband. She says
that her husband furnished her the
money to make her trip to this city to
give her confession and seek to save
DR.. Cleminson. Mrs. Schmidt is twenty
one years old, daughter of Mrs. Eliza.
beth Wolf, of st. Louis. She says that
her confession, though revealing shame,
has relieved her conscience.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

tion of cities; for the most rigorous
and effective regulation of all kinds
of public service facilities. 1t will have
real popular designation of Senators
hereafter; corrupt practices acts have
been passed which provide adequate
guarantee against return to the old
Southern Pacific domination.
Away on the other coast, New Jersey
has accomplished much of the same re-
suits. In its last hours the legisla-
ture agreed on the enabling act for
commission government in cities, in
cluding the initiative, referendum, and
recall. The powers of the public serv-
ice commission have been extended
and now include most efficient pro-
vision for determining and prescribing
rates and charges. The outrageous
archaic ballot law that was the very
cornerstone of corruption in Jersey
has been wiped out and a modern,
civilized method substituted.
California and Jersey are only
typical of the activities of many
other legislatures. Washington, Oregon,
Montana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan
everywhere the work of returning the
government to the hands of the people
has been pushed forward. There will
be less disposition to question whether
the legislatures are worth preserving.
They are giving the answer.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
ARREST OF LOS ANGELES
TIMES DYNAMITERS.

The best traditions of the typical
Hawkshaw have been maintained by
the skill with which William j. Burns
private detective, has, apparently
run down the conspirators who are re.
sponsible for the dynamiting of the Los
Angeles Times Office on the first of last
October. As a result of his efforts
John j. Mcnamara, the international
secretary of the Bridge and Structural
Iron Workers of America; his brother
James, and a confederate, are being hur,
ried, to California on requisition papers
which had been carefully prepared in
advance. Detective Burns and his as
sistants found large quantity of high
explosives in the basement of the iron,
workers headquarters, where the secre-
tary was arrested. James Mcnamara
and Ortie McManigal, who were ar
rested in Detroit at the same time, had
just checked a grip containing enough
explosives, to have blown up the city.
The detective feels that his chain of
evidence is complete.
The arrests come as the climax of
one of the most sensational crimes in
the history of the country. Not since
the Steunenberg murder has violence
as a factor in labor troubles come in
for so much discussion in this country.
No thoughtful and conservative man
will believe that the great body of or
ganized labor in this country has
countenance, much less inspired, such
outrages as the destruction of the Los
Angeles Times, even though that paper
has been at times bitterly hostile to
labor unions. The men who make up
the rank and file of labor organizations
feel that they have quite enough to do
to protect themselves by peaceful
methods from the determinations and
expressions put upon them. AS men
of common sense they realize that a
resort to violence, even if they had the
disposition, would defeat their own
ends.
While in the present instance it
would seem that the chain of evidence
is practically complete, common fair
ness demands that, until the contrary
be proven, the Los Angeles outrage
should be attributed to individual de-
pravity rather than to the organization
of which the alleged criminals were
members. This being the case, it is
certain that the labor unions of the
country will be the first, as certainly
they should be, in demanding and
furthernig the most searching investi,
CATION of the charges which have been
lodged against the secretary of the
bridge and structural ironworkers. 1t
is unfortunate in the extreme that
the cause of organized labor should
be made to suffer, as so often it does,
by the irresponsible conduct OF those
who pose as its friends.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Women Play Races
And Best Bookies

LONDON, April 23.-That women are
extensive players of the races, are poor
payers, usually winners, and viii bear
watching, is the verdict of the London
bookmaker who has just paid $4,000 to
a society belle here who played Mush-
room, winner of the City and Subur-
ban Handicap.
Bookmakers say that where three wo-
men played the races a few years ago,
twenty play today. They prefer the
of the bookmakers will not accept bets
from women unless their husbands or
other responsible parties go guaranty,
because ii has been found that the fair
gamblers make poor losers. 1t Is claimed
that the women are much more sue
cessful in securing good tips" on raced
than are men.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
ASKS PENSION FOR
HER FOUR YEARS IN
RANKS AS SOLDIER
Wyoming Woman Discloses
That She Fought Through
War Disguised.

SHERIDAN, Wyo., April 23-Not
many men have had the varied and
adventurous life led by Mrs. Louise E
Bliss, of Sheridan. who has just applied
for a pension. on, the grounds that
dressed as a man, she served four years
in the Federal army as a member of
Company G, Sixty-third Infantry, from
Illinois, from 1861 to 1866. Mrs. Bliss is
now an old woman, with white hair
and wrinkled face, and is almost desti-
tute. On one cheek she bears the scar
left by a bullet fired at Vicksburg; a
long, livid cash across the upper left
arm Is a memehto Of Corinth and a
Confederate saber.
According to the story told by Mrs.
Bliss to the pension agent, and sworn
to by her, she was living In Illinois at
Jonesboro when the war broke out. She
was enthusiastic and patriotic and
wanted to join the army, but Of course
could not do so in skirts. So she cut off
her hair. obtained a suit of mons cloth
ing. and applied for enlistment. In the
excitement and hurry of the early days
of enlistment, when there were thou
sands of applicants, the disguised girl
was passed, and found herself a mem
Der of Colonel McCowan's regiment, the
Sixty-tnird Infantry. She was assigned
to Company G, under Captain Richard
son.
After drilling and being otherwise
whipped" into line, the Sixty-third
started South, and with 1t went the girl
soldier. For four years she stood the
strain of army and camp life, taking
her medicine as 1t came to her. and
in all ways being treated as were the
other soldiers of the regiment.
Throughout the Vicksburg Campaign
the Sixty-third Illinois saw much fight
ing, and no man of it did more than did
the young woman. She was wounded
twice In that campaign. both times in
the head. Her white hair hides one
scar; the other is plainly visible on the
cheek. And at Corinth she received a
saber cut which cost her a pint of
blood.
Just before the war ended the true
sex Of the young soldier became known
to comrade, and Immediately after
being mustered out Of the service, be-
cause of the termination Of hostilities
she married John Sibler, who had
served in the same company and regi-
ment with her throughout the war.
Sibler died some years later, and the
widow afterward married Leander
Bliss, an ex-soldier of the Third Cali.
| fornia Regiment.
Mrs. Bliss has all the necessary pa.
pers in connection with her four years
war experience, and her friends antici.
pate little trouble In obtaining the pen
saon.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Foss Hits At BOSton'S
Big Trust Estates

BOSTON, April Ex-Governor Foss
has issued a statement saying that
there Is a favored class in the tax
alton of Boston real estate and urg-
ing that the advantages of this favor
ed class be taken away. 1t Is the first
fruit of the governors deliberations
upon taxation questions. Prof. Bull
ock, of Harvard, is his adviser.
The governor points out that the
present tax laws have created ad-
vantages in choice properties in the
heart of the city, where an artificial
market has been created by mortgage
investments.
The first move Of the governor has
thus touched the great trust estates
which cover the business and financial
districts Of the city. 1t has been fea-
tured as the dead hand" but the
governor does not discuss the subject
further than to refer to the existence
of favored classes.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Sisters Meet After Forty
Years of Separation

BOURNE, Mass, April 23.-After. forty
years of separation, during which time
they lived less than 100 miles apart, two
sisters, Mrs. Jane SINNERS, Of 33S Pleas
ant street, Winthrop, and Mrs. Edward
Harris, OF this town. were reunited here
yesterday. The last time the sisters
met at the funeral of their father at
Valley Falls, R L. Mrs. SINNERS went
to Meriden, Conn.,, and Mrs. Harris to
Lime Rock, r. 1. Each addressed let
tiers to the other which neither receive1, l,
and for the last quarter century each
sought by every means to find the
other.
Last week Mrs. SINNERS received
word that her sister had married a man
named Harris, and that the family was
living at Bourne. Letters proved the
information to be correct
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
MUCK RAKING FOR
OLD HERDIC LINE
Commissioners Plan Inves gaton of Sixteenth Street
Service With View to Forcing Improvements.
Many Complaints Made.

render real transportation upon which
the public can depend, isn't as bright
as It might be.
The Law.
There are two pieces of law relating
to herdics. and neither is very thor
oughly equipped with saw-teeth. One
OF them is this:
THAT persons, firms or corpora
tions operating vehicles for hire, or
for the transportation Of passen-
gers in the District of Columbia,
with sufficient regularity to enable
the public to take passage therein
stable or stand of such vehicle, or
operate such vehicle over a route
sufficiently definite to enable the
public to ascertain the streets and
avenues on which such vehicle can
ss fo6%s sa For Pay ysSee
with a seating capacity not to ex-
ceed ten passengers, six dollars per
annum; for each vehicle with a seat
ing capacity exceeding ten passen-
gers. twelve dollars per annum. No
license shall be issued under this
paragraph without the approval OF
the Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia"
That was a paragraph in the Dis
trict appropriation bill for the fiscal
year. 1903. The old drawn
herdics operated under 1t peacefully
until 1908, when the following was
operation of street cars at the Union
Station:
That existing transfer arrange
ments between the Washington
Railway and Electric Company and
- (Nk~WCN
corporation of the District Of Co
lumbia, shall not be terminated.
except by authority of Congress;
unless the Metropolitan Coach
Company shall, within one year
after the passage, Of this act, sub
proved by the Commissioners of
the District Of Columbia, for the
herdics now used by II. its right
to operate its line shall cease and
determine"
It's Rights.
Now, the interesting part OF this is
that 1t may amount to a charter to
the Metropolitan Coach Company. The
company never had a charter and, in
fact, had no rights, which Congress,
in 1908. said would be forfeited If it
didn't put on motor vehicles. Now. the
company contends, 1t has rights, hav-
ing been recognized by Congress.
There are two ways the Commits
sioners may be able to make the her
dies run like self-respecting trans
portation vehicles. One would be to
refuse to issue a license under auth
ority of the act of 1903. The other
would be to have Congress pass a
bill specifically making conditions as
to schedule and service. At present
the Commissioners have no authority
under which they can force the COM
pany to run its cars at regular inter-
walls. unless it be their questionable
power to hold up the license.
In the meantime, the herdics contin-
ue to run at least once or twice a
week, and thousands of people living
along its theoretical route may con-
tinue to wait on the corners or walk,
just as they prefer. For the present
at least, that's about all they can do.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

How dear to the heart is the Six
teenth Street Herdic,
into view;
Its battered old sides and its win
dows all broken
1t still is a haven Of refuge to you.
How oft have you tackled that lum-
That jolting contraption, that mo-
tor car freak?
The Sixteenth Street Herdlc. the
tumble-down Herdic,
The rattIe-trap Herdic that runs
once q week.
The poor old Sixteenth street herdic Ia
about to be muck-raked. The heartless
District Commissioners are after It.
They have sicked the corporation coun-
sci onto It, and there are dark days and
evil deeds ahead.
why is the herdic?"
That's the question the District Com
missioners want answered. Also, they
want answer to when and wherefore
is the herdicT" To date their queries
have fallen on empty ears. NOBODY
knows.
Everybody knows there Is such
thing as a herdic line in Washington.
Everybody at some time in his life has
seen one of these ancient vehicles lun-
bering along Pennsylvania avenue IN
front Of the White House, careening
around the corner past the Department
Of Justice, or groaning up sixteenth
street. That's about as far. however, al
human knowledge on the herdic problem
goes. Nobody will venture much more
of an opinion.
Theoretically, the herdics are sup
posed TO operate in the public interest
and to carry passengers. But their real
functions and activities are sealed In
mystery. Mostly, they are used by
washingtonians TO point out to visitors
as one OF the transportation jokes OF
the National Capital.
Folks Excited.
II seems. however, that the big Sec
ton of folks who live between the
Fourteenth street and Mt. Pleasant
street car lines have been getting ex-
cited about the herdic. People who live
on Seventeenth street, for instance, are
yerv much concerned over the bumpty-
bunp motor wagons that occasionally
ply I'D and down the Avenue OF the
Presidents. It's three long blocks to a
car line for them, so they've got into
the habit of dropping into the District
building and filing complaints. OF course
for a long time nobody in the District
building took these seriously. NOBODY
supposed anybody would get very much
excited over the Washington heruicS,
wbjch were pretty generally recognized
as being operated for humorous purposes
only. But quite a grist of complaints
accumulated as the years sped oy. ano
now Gen. John A. Johnston, who taxes
his duties as Commissioner seriously.
insists that something be done about
them wherefore, trouble is hunting
the Metropolitan Coach Company, that
being the name of the corporation re-
sponsibIe for the herdic crime:
General Johnston has received a report
will Law IL before the Commissioners
soon. As a matter OF fact, the outlook
for making the decrepit old wagons
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
GEORGE PLANS TO
INVESTIGATE TAX
NEEDS Of DISTRICT
New York Representative to
Revive Old Report by
Tom L. Johnson.

The citizens of the District of Colum-
bia are to have the benefit of a Demo
cratic investigation, IL Representative
Henry George of New York, single
taxer and free trader, has his way.
Mr.. George, member of the House
District Committee. proposes to conduct
searching inquiry into the methods OF
assessment and taxation in vogue in
Washington, with a view to making a
more equal distribution Of the cost of
maintaining the District government.
The foundation OF the investigation to
be conducted by Mr.. George as the
chairman of a special committee of the
District Committee Is a report made to
the House more than twenty years ago
by Tom L. Johnson, of Cleveland, who
died recently.
Johnson's Report.
johnson was the chairman of a special
committee which conducted an investi-
CATION into 1.-The assessment of taxes in
the District of Columbia" He made an
exhaustive report on the subject, but It
never received consideration at the
hands of Congress.
Recently Mr.. George came across this
report and found 1t to be quite as ap-
plicable to conditions as they exist to-
day as when it was drawn up twenty
years ago.
sary to go over much OF the ground
covered by the old investigating COM
mittee, but he insists that Mr.. Johnson
saw so far into the future when he
wrote the report that many of the
things predicted a score of years ago
have come to pass.
1--WE recommend" says the old report,
such change in the subject OF assess
ment as will embody the principle urged
upon us by the representative taxpay-
ers of the District Of whom we have
spoken, and which we find generally
commended by the intelligent men
whose views our investigation mas
brought to our attention-that of eS-
empting improvements from the assess
ment and confining it to the value OF
the land itself.
To Collect Information.
But we recommend at the same time
such provision for the collection of in
formation as to the actual value of land
as will not only furnish reliable means
of determining selling value. but will
make 1t easier at any future time to
change the subject of taxation from the
selling value to the rental value Of land.
That the change We recommend IN
the subject of assessment would power
fully contribute, with the changes we
recommend in the manner of assess
ment, to secure equality, there can be
no doubt When, instead of being DIS
tracted by various subjects of taxation,
public attention is concentrated upon
one and that a subject which from its
nature cannot be hidden or concealed.
but can be perceived by every one who
walks or rides along the public streets,
public opinion will be called in to Sc
cure equality" .
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Turnkey, a Classmate
Of Whistler, Is Dead

CHICAGO, ILL.,, April 23.-Col. Par
menas Taylor TURNKEY. a veteran of
both the Mexican and Civil wars, is
dead at his residence in Highland Park,
at the age of sixty-five. He was one Of
the oldest graduates Of West Point
In his class was Mcclellan, Burnside,
Maxey. Pickett, "Stonewall" jackson,
and Whistler. the artist soldier.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Paving Stone Cargo
Overheard to Free Ship

PRovINCETOwN. Mass, April o.
After half of her cargo of paving stones
had been thrown overheard, the schoon-
er Caroline Gray. of Rcckland, Me-,
which grounded on Woodend bar Thurs
day, was hauled into deep water on the
morning tide today by the tug Neponset
and towed into the harbor, apparently
upinjursd.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

President Taft has been asked by a
kentucky father to furnish names for
recently arrived triplets, boy and
two girls. Why not call the boy Cy and
the girls Res and Pros?
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

An esteemed contributor writes to
say that the ten Democrats who voted
against reciprocity did not make a
hit, but perhaps they have made ten
home runs
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

When the Glidden tourists start their
automobile run to Ottawa tomorrow the
the President will officially speed them
on their way"
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

Major Sylvester has accepted the chair
OF local geography in the District serv-
ice college.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

The net total circulation OF The Washington
Times daily during the month OF March
was ], ,236, 793. all copies left over and re-
turned being eliminated. This number, when
divided by "a the number of days Of publi-
cation, shows the net daily average for March
10 have been 45.S07.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

The net total circulation OF The Washington
Times Sunday during the month Of March
was l6S, ,553, all copies left over and returned
by agents being eliminated. This number
when divided by 4. the number Of Sundays
during March, shows the net Sunday average
for March have been 42l2S
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
Sunday,

The number OF complete and perfect copies
Of The Washington Times printed Sundays
during the month of March was as follows:
March 5.........46.173 March 19.........46, 127
March l2........46,2S ,2S4 March 26......... IA, $50
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

for all who came into possession of II
as has the famous Hope diamond, now
the subject of litigation in this city
And strange incident of its alluring
power is that during this coming week,
when the District Supreme Court shall
decide the motion for judgment In the
present litigation, May Yohe, former
owner of the ''hoodoo" diamond and
former wife Of the man for whose fam
lily 1t was named, will be in the Capital
and will probably be in court.
Considerably over 600 members of the
Chamber of Commerce and Board OF
Trade have signed their names to a dec
laration that in their belief the best in
terests Of the community are to be SUBJ
served by consolidation of the two
bodies. 1t will be a poor commentary
upon the observation-disclosures Of Washing
ton men II. after this declaration, 1t be
found that the merger plans fail from
lack of ability to arrange details. No
narrow views or false pride in either
organization should be allowed to defeat
what the large majority believes to be
measure demanded by the best in
terests OF the whole community.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

In each issue Of The Times the circulation
figures for the previous day are plainly
printed at the head of the hrst page at the
left Of the date line.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

Entered at the Postoffice at Washington.
D. C. as second class matter.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

April % must be the anniversary of
some great domestic tragedy known
only to prospective brides and grooms.
Not single marriage license was is
sued in the District yesterday.
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

Total for month. .lS5, 794
Sunday average for nonth.,,.,.... 46,449
The Washington times., 1911-04-23
MARCH CIRCULATION.
nafIv

The number Of complete and perfect copies
OF The Washington Times printed daily dur
ing the month Of March was as follows:
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

Louis Zinkhan, generally looked upon
as likely to succeed Warden Mckee IN
about two months, has an unusual motto
applied during twenty-nine years of
prison work. 1t is: Let them forget
they're locked up"
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

Never in fiction from the Far East
did jewel pIucked from the eye of a
Buddah- scintillats with such misfortune
The Washington times., 1911-04-23

The bakery wagons have been de-
veloping some very vicious tendencies
of late. If this thing of running over
people keeps up some of the victims
had better be sent to the Pasteur In
stitute for examination.