davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
WHAT BLOCKS LOAN SHARK
LEGISLATIONi

Up in New York evidence that loan
sharks have been bribing members OF
the Legislature to prevent the passage
OF legislation has been unearthed.
Note the following, which reveals a
condition typical of any movement to
curb the rapacious appetite of the
shark:
NEW YORK, July 12.-Commissioner
OF Accounts r. B. Fosdick, who has
been investigating the dealings OF loan
sharks with city employees, made his re-
port today to Mayor Gaynor. The
course of the investigation led into the
loan agency Of John Mulholland at 3s
Park Row, where Fosdick dug UP some
old letters that gave him an idea of how
the loan concerns were able. by chip
ping in to lobby fund to hold up leg
islative bills aimed at their highly profit
able traffic.
by Charles Dolson. Buffalo lawyer;
o. Z. Rowley, Buffalo money lender.
and L. ogden Wadleigh. "a Syracuse
lawyer, refer to some dickering with
Anthony F. Burke, who. in 1903, was an
assemblyman from Buffalo and the
sponsor of bill that would have
crimped the loan concerns had 1t gone
through
Out in Ohio members of the legisla-
ture have been indicted for taking
bribes from loan sharks to head off
law restricting interest rates and regu-
lating the lending business. Almost
everywhere that a community has at
tempted to control these leeches a
trail of bribery and corruption has ap-
peared. That is usually the loan
sharks way of doing business. He
robs the unfortunates who have to
patronize him on the one hand and
bribes the lawmakers who attempt to
stop him on the other. It's all part
of his days work. Being possessed of
moral perception that countenances
extortion, he does not see any harm in
buying mems souls.
These revelations in Ohio and New
York should set the people of Wash
ington to thinking. They should cause
the average citizen, who has been
watching the trend of events, to ask
why no loan shark legislation has been
enacted here. They should make it
mighty uncomfortable for gentlemen
in the Senate and the House to con-
tinue to block the loan shark bill.
Two years ago the Monday Evening
Clubs loan shark bill was introduced in
Congress. Lengthy hearings on it
have been held by both District Com
Unanimous reports on it have
been made by both committees. And
it not only is still pending, but there
isn't the slightest chance at present
that it will be passed at this session.
What is blocking the enactment of
loan shark legislation for the District
of Columbia?
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
MATERIALISM MAKES
UNSATISFACTORY REPLY

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Whatever may be the cause Of II,
there can be no doubt of the fact that
the pretense Of a belief in>the present
has silently but surely taken the place
Of faith in the unknown future in the
minds of the majority Of civilized man
kind. The prevailing trend of human
thought Is now In favor of happiness
here and now. instead Of deferring 1t to
an idea hereafter, which, 1t Is argued
may or may not justify the anticipations
concerning 1t. Hence the eager reaching
out: the importunate, ceaseless struggle
for the good things of this life; the rest
less efforts of the masses to better their
conditions; the fierce resentment against
the favoritism Of fortune; the passionate
zeal to equal and to outstrip others in
the race of life. Some present positive
good, which can be seen here and now,
which can be handled and measured, Is
wanted. Materialistic ideas, materialistic
good, make the so-called creed. and to
great majority Of intellectual men and
women of the present day. nay, even
the churches slumber over the powers
of the world to come" and prefer ele-
CANT and commodious structures and
members Of wealth and social promi-
nence to the poor in spirit and in purse,
for whose especial benefit Christianity
was established.
And yet the question forces itself upon
us: Is naked materialism the best an
swer WHICH modern philosophy can give
to the great questions which lie at the
very foundation of life? Whence came
we? Why are we here? WHITTIER are we
going? These are questions which the
agnostic may answer satisfactorily to
himself with, II know not, and cannot
know" But when he presumes to an
swer for others with, Thou knowest
not, thou canst notNknow," he is likely
to get a very indignant reply. Not very
many people. when they are compelled
to face the problems of existence for
themselves, will be satisfied with an in
finite negation. 81 think, therefore l
am" was the old philosophy, and the
modern debasement of 1t which says, 81
am. therefore I think cannot be ac-
cepted as conclusive. For why should
one think simply because he isf "In the
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
BRYAN PLANS QUIZ
FOR ALL COURT|NG
MISS DEMOCRACY
Would Put Candidates for
Presidential Nomination
on Record.

LINCOLN, Neh.. July 1.-THE Demo-
cratic Presidential sspirants are to be
placed on record OIL public questions be-
fore the nominating convention is held.
II William Jennings Bryan has his way.
Eryan. who. by reason Of the rule which
coinpelS candidate to receive two
thirds vote of the delegates to secure
the nomination. will be potent factor
In next years convention. and declares
in the ComnIoner. that Democrats should
profit by the lesson Of 1915.
The Republicans" he says, took
disposition of the Republican candidate
for the Presidency and they have been,
naturally. greatly disappointed"
The questions, he wants the aspirants
for the nomination to answer include:
''no you favor tariff for revenue only?
Free raw materials ard a revenue
duty only oil manufactured goods?
Giving consideration 10 the element
of protection in revising the tariff'
Election of Senators by the people?
The income tax?
Promise OF immediate independence
to the Filipinos?
Publicity of campaign contributions
and expenses?
'safegaa riding Of States rights?
Endorsement of labor planks of 1908
platform?
Strict regulation of railroads?
Endorsement Of the trust plank Of
the 1908 platform?
Asset currency in any form and more
especially the Aldrich monetary plan?
Legislation guaranteeing bank de-
posits?"
Bryan would also put the aspirants
on record on the question Of keeping
the three branches of government with
in their constitutional sphere and
whether they believe In the reading of
unreasonable" into the Sherman anti
trust law by the Supreme Court.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
The COMET is WITH US ONCE
AGAIN.

Once more the spacious armament on
high commands our attention. From
the various observatories of the world
comes the latest information as to the
size and color of the new Kiess comet
which is approaching us with two
bands" and ought to add considerably
to the music of the spheres. The spec
trum is undergoing analysis, and high
brow articles on astronomy for the
people are finding their way into print.
The most important fact of all is that
the heavenly wanderer may now be
viewed, we are informed, with opera
glasses.
This gives a valid excuse for the
justly celebrated comet parties which
enlivened the fall months of last year.
New devices in the matter of enter
tainment had just about been ex-
hausted when the idea of sitting up
with the comet and waking the night
owl with a catch attained a vogue
Later on it was the thing to go to bed
first and then in the dark hours Just
before dawn to meet at the house of
neighbor and give him a surprise
party. If he-or she-was not COM
pensated for the disturbance by a
sight of Halley's wonderful vagabond
of the skies he-or she-had to be po-
lite enough to conceal the fact. Youth,
with a combined predisposition for late
hours and star gazing, shed the only
tears when the visitor swan below
our ken.
1t will be recalled that the presence
of the aerial alien in our midst served
the useful purpose of explaining a great
many things which are usually unac-
The weather then, as now,
was subject to certain alterations, and
the comet was ready to hand to serve
as the responsible factor. The appear
ance of the Kiess visitor is peculiarly
timely, since the weather of late has
absolutely required something "to lay
it on" Timidly at first, and then
swelling into a diapason, we shall find
observers of the universe explaining
that the temperature and humidity are
directly tracesble to the comet. In a
short time the same influence will ac-
count for great many political cata-
clysms and shortage of crops: The
foot and mouth disease is liable to be
more prevalent than usual, and house.
maids knee will become uncommonly
virulent.
Of course, incidentally, the Kiess
comet may add something to our store
of astronomical knowledge, but its
highest usefulness will be as an ex-
planation of the insoluble and excuse
for the things we really want to do.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

strict the privileges of the house Of
lords. The lower house has put for.
ward its irreducible minimum, and has
definitely made up its mind to Swamp
the peers" by an appointment of a suf,
ficient number of liberals to the upper
chamber to carry through the veto bill
as it stands.
There is absolutely no escape for the
conservatives, and an enlightened self
interest would dictate that they yield
gracefully in the matter, since three
appeals to the people have gone against
them. If they were actuated by plain
common sense, however, they would be
anomalies and not conservatives. I'm
der the terms of the present bill they
would at least have the power of hold
ing in allegiance for some time any
measure they opposed, while in forcing
the appointment Of enough liberals to
make a majority in the upper house
they rob themselves of even a sus-
pensory power.
The rank and file of the conserva-
tives realize the futility of another
appeal to the people, and they are now
their efforts to secure
the displacement of that suave scholar
in politics, Mr.. Arthur Balfour, as the
leader. As a Fabian and
a trimmer he has had few equals.
While the question of tariff reform
which in England means quite the con-
trary to what it does in this country
has been one of the leading issues be.
fore the people ever since Joseph Cham
berlain was in his heyday, nobody has
yet been able to extort or coax from
the leader of the opposition a clear
and satisfactory statement of his posi-
ton on the question. In the matter of
the education bill, and more particu-
Iarly the reform of the house of lords,
he has shown himself so inefficient,
when it comes to actual results, that the
of his followers has about
reached a climax. His retirement will
be . great victory for the cause of
reforms.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Statue Commits Theft.

CHICAGO, July I7.-John Anderson,
OF Roseland, was walking In Michigan
avenue at daylight when a stranger ac-
costed him with:
Say, what do they mean by having
another rider on that horse at the Lo-
gan monument"
Anderson expressed doubt. They
walked over to the statue and there,
sure enough, Anderson saw another ng-
ure perched on the bronze horse behind
the figure Of General Logan.
He walked up 70 make more detailed
investigation. AS he did SO the figure
Jumped from the horse and landed on
top Of Anderson. Both men overpow-
cred him and took $50 and his watcn.
Thev tied Anderson with his slIs pom
ders to the tail Of the bronze horse and
eEcapsd.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
DEEP PROBE NEEDED
IN DEPARTMENTS

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
When a subordinate Of the Postoffice
Department can, by a plausible story,
induce Mr.. A to make certain state
ments to be used with "one high up in
righting a wrong, and a short while
after have two postoffice inspectors pre-
sent A. his statement, asking for
proof to sustain 1t, thereby securing all
of As private property for use in
convicting an official of grating" and
two years afterward A. asks the
Hon. Postmaster General for return of
those papers, to which no reply Is
given: Is 1t any wonder other evidences
needed can disappear? Let probing of
all departments be deep and searching,
and If any are innocent thLy do not
fear it in the least.
ONE WHO KNOWS.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Country's Real Estate
Men Flock to Denver

DENVER, Col. July T.-Although the
convention Of the National Association
Of Real Estate Exchanges will not get
fully under way until tomorrow, a great
majority Of the delegates arrived In
Denver today. The initial session will
be called to order tomorrow afternoon.
Governor Shafroth, of Colorado, and
Mayor Spear, Of Denver, will welcome
the visitors. President Alexander s.
Taylor. Of Cleveland, will deliver an ad-
dress. and the annual reports will be
presented by Secretary r. Bruce Doug
las, of Milwaukee, and Treasurer James
B. Blake, Of st. Louis.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Party Representing Russian
Land Owners Is Extreme
ly Reactionary.
EMPEROR is PLACED
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
Neither Do His Acts Thoroughly
Please the Democratic
Parties.

BERLIN, July 7.-One of the features
OF the summer season in Germany has
oeen series of more or less yelled at
tacks on the Kaiser, not by the social
lists or other democratic elements, but
py the extreme reactionary conserva-
tlVes, who represent in politics the in
Iterests of the great Prussian land
owners.
The conservatives in Germany are not
merely opposed to every kind of political
and social progress, but they are ac-
tually retrograde in their tendencies,
tnasmuch as 1t is their desire to abolish
manhood suffrage, whereby the deputies
of the imperial legislature are now
elected, and to sweep away such slight
traces of constitutional government az
already exist.
They hold about twenty seats in the
IeichstaG, out of a total of 397, but their
numerical strength does not adequately
represent their real power in the coun-
try.
The ruling caste is predominentIy
conservative, and conservatives hold
the most important administrative posts
In the government service, so that their
influence is enormous. As rule, they
make a great parade of their loyalty
to the Kaiser and of their devotion to
the crown, but just now they are Bit
terly discontented with the trend OF
affairs and are venting their dtspleas-
ures on the Emperor.
Actions Criticised.
Two innovations introduced by the
imperial government have incurred
their hostile criticism. First and fore
most the bestowaI Of constitutional
government on the provinces of Alsacs
and Lorraine, which were conquered
from France in the war of 1870 and 1871,
and which, since their acquisition by
Germany, have been administered as
crown lands, meaning that they have
had no voice in the control Of their own
affairs.
The other cause of complaint by the
conservatives was the action OF the I'M
perial secretary of state for the Interior,
Herr DeIbrueck, in seeking the co-ope-
reichstag in connection with the new
bill for the extension of state insur-
ance now before the legislature.
Herr Delbrueck invited several Of the
socialist leaders to confer with him on
various points of the new measure. with
a view of ascertaining the views of the
of the working classes
on several controversial questions con-
nected Herewith. This the conserva-
tives describe as treason, because any
kind of compromise with the socialists,
who are avowed republicans and aim at
the overthrow of the monarchy as well
as the established order of society, -
equivalent to a grave offense against
the whole community.
Between Two Fires.
The conservative move opens the
of the Kaiser, to use a vul-
gar expression, falling between two
stools. He has become too progressive
for the conservatives, but It is highly
that he will ever become
progressive to suit the demo-
cratic parties and groups.
The leader Of the conservative politi-
cal insurrection against the Kaiser IS
the parliamentary leader, Herr Won
whose power and infiu-
snce in the country are so great that
he Is commonly known as the 'un-
king of Prussia"
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

ward. So. if a continuance Of hot wealth
er is foretold Just fancy that old ocean
may have some checkmate.
After an experience Of many years in
the tropics, wherc one gets real hot
weather. l am not at all sure that we
have the right protection for our heads
in the usual type Of straw hot. East
ern people, generally. keep out the heat
by turbans or other thick head cover
inEs, and the Mexican sombrero, Of
thick felt, is worn iE the torrid heat of
the Central American jungles. In less
civilized hot countries. the natives in
variablv grow a -hick crop Of nair.
One suggestion that may be OF help Is
to turn deaf ear 20 the acquaintance
whose greeting IS. rs this warm enough
for you?" THERMOS.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Togo to Sail for Here
On July Twenty-ninth

LONDON, July H.-Admiral Togo.
the Nelson of Japan" who. with Field
Marshal Nogi and other distinguished
Japanese, represented Japan at the cor
onation Of King George, will sail from
Liverpool to New York on the Lust
tania July g
The great sea fighter has been the OBJ
ject of wide attention in England. He
visited the navy yards and inspected the
big warships Of the home fleet.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

beginning God created the heavens and
the earth" is the sublime language of
the Hebrew Scriptures, and, after ali.
where is there a more plausible theory ?
There must have been a beginning
somewhere at some time-so much
Locke. Hume, Berkely and Kant Mill
and Huxley. and even the infldel inger-
soil: admit-and II the beginning be not
with God created the heavens and the
earth, in what Is II? What may they
nave to oner better? Surely their pro-
toplasms. with heredity and the sur
vival of the f1ttest, are neither more
plausible nor more satisfactory.
EVERETT SPRING.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
BRITISH REACTIQNARY is
MARKED FOR SLAUGHTER.

The indications are that one of the
stumbling blocks in the path of an en-
lightened liberalism in English politics
will soon be removed by the retirement
of Arthur Balfour, the leader of the
opposition in the house of commons.
The fatuous obstinacy so Characteristic
of a hidebound conservatism, whether
in Europe, America, or elsewhere, has
determined to yield nothing in the
matter of the pending measure to re-
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Bull Plays With Tiny Boy.

PRESTON, Nd. July 1.-THE strang-
est kind Of friendship has sprung up
between Maurice, the four-year-old son
of T. ]. Williams, a farmer near here,
and vicious Holstein bull, aged three
years. weighing 1880 pounds. The big
beast manifests remarkable affection
for the boy following him like a dog
and at times bowling its shaggy head to
the ground until the little fellow crowIs
up his neck to take a ride
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Amusements.

Columbia-Columbia Players in "IjttIe
Lord Fauntleroy," Sis p. m.
Cosmos-Continuous vaudeville, l tn II
p. m.
Chevy Chase Lake-Dancing and MIL
sic by section Of Marine Band.
Glen Echo Park--Dancing and music bv
section of Soldiers Home Band,
Luna Park-Midway attractions.
Arcade-Motion pictures, bowling, and
pool.
River view-Dancing and other amuse-
ments; boat leaves Seventh street
wharf 10 a. m. and and p. m.
Colonial Beach-Boardwalk, bathing
and other amusements; steamers ieaya
Seventh street wharf daily except
Monday. a. m.: Saturday, s:30 D. m
Marshall Hall-Steamer Charles Macal-
ester leaves Seventh street wharf 10
a. m: 2:30 and 6:45 p. m. daily. Stops
made at Mt. Vernon.
Steamer ST. Johns leaves Seventh street
wharf for forty-mile trip on the Po-
= tomac, p. N. -.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Wears Arctic Clothes Hot Day.

GREELEY. Colo, July T.-Serious ILL
ness threatens E. O. Martin, employed
in the office of the Great Western
Sugar Company here. as The result of a
freak bet made with one of his fellow
employees, who contended that It was
too hot to work.
Martin declared that the temperature
was very comfortable and should not
be objected TO by a reasonable man. In
the argument that ensued Martin bet
s. that he could ride around the out
skirts of Greeley clad in a fur over
coat and fur cap. on a bicycle, without
suffering any Ill effects.
When he left the sugar factory the
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

LAUREL, Del, July 17.-william
Todd's old turkey gobbler who two
weeks ago was found in a woods set
ting on a nest of guinea eggs from
which he had driven the mother bird,
has hatched twelve out Of sixteen eggs.
He is so clumsy in lowering around
the young ones, however. that he has
killed seven of the dozen.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Dons His First Shoes.

FORT SMITH. Ark. July l7.-Yield-
,ng finally to the solicitation Of his
wife. Police Judge Harrington. now a
middle-aged man, is wearing shoes for
the first time in his life. When he was
boy he went barefooted and since has
worn nothing but high boots, prefer
ably box-toed,
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Breaks a Leg in Bed.

ALLENTOWN. Pa. July T.-Mrs.
Mary Salinsky. eighty-hve years old.
met with a peculiar accident last night
when on a visit to the home of friend
~ the country. She twisted a leg in
bed in such a manner that she broke
the upper bone of the leg clear in two.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Drops $50 Feet, Resumes Work.

TARRYToWN, n. Y, July 17.-Joseph
Kinward, an employe Of the Maxwell
BHscoe Motor Company. had a narrow
escape from death today. He was on a
swing painting the water tower. when
the rope gave way. He dropped $50
feet and struck a guard wire, which
broke his fall and made him turn a
complete somersault He landed on
his feet, smiling. He resumed his du-
ties on top Of the tower again.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Insures His Thumb Nail.

NEWTON, N. j.. July T.-Charles
Heinsey had no difficulty in taking out
insurance on his thumb nail. Heinsey
is a grainer. and finds his thumb nail
much more serviceable than any paint
els tool he can buy When he breaks
the nail he is out Of work, and to in
sure against idleness, he took out a
policy for $50. which he estimates would
keep him while he grows a new nail
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
ODDITIES IN DAYS
BUDGET OF NEWS
Old Turkey Gobbler Plays Part of Hen and Hatches
Out Eggs-Bull Plays With Tot-Police
Judge Wears First Shoes.

thermometer registered 1O1. In the blaz-
Ing sun Of the early afternoon he rode
several miles, clad in his polar costume.
but he was badly overheated when he
returned to the factory. That night he
became quite i'll and is now suffering
considerably as the result Of winning
his wager.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Surgical Operations
Performed in Midocean

LONDON, July T.-Surgeon McMas-
ter, of the White Star liner Celtic, or
dered the vessel to slow down in mid
ocean while he and DIR. Rininger, OF
Seattle, performed two imperative oper-
atoms for appendicitis. The patients
are recovering.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

father-who visited us more than, half
a century ago. and made an impression
on those who saw him which has never
been obliterated
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

Read 4 10 as NJ kywnh
however words in md linus t o
an e made public
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

Announcement that the condition of
Mrs. Luke Lea is no longer critical
comes from Denver, and is a source of
great pleasure to her many friends.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
Baby Swims Half Mile.

LOWELL. Mass. July T.-Arthur
Romulard. nineteen months old, re-
Gently swan half a mile with his faith
er at his side in Mascuppic.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

Although Lorimer has not teen un-
seated, the lady visitors at tfe hearing
have given up their seats rather than
remove their hats
The Washington times., 1911-07-17
What's on the Program, In
Washington Todap.

CThe Times will be pleased to an
nounce meetings and entertainments in
this column.)
Concert by the United States Engineer
Band Washington barracks. s o. m.
Concert by the United States Soldiers
Home Band, Soldiers Home grounds.
p. m.
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

The dogcatcher over in Alexandria Is
going to get busy today, and expects
20 make good every evening at the rate
of a hundredweight in the pound
The Washington times., 1911-07-17

The net total circulation OF The Wash
ington Times daily during the month OF
June was l.l65,76s, all copies left over and
returned being eliminated. This number,
when divided by 26 the number Of days of
publication. shows the net daily average sor
uune to have been A. SS1.