davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
IN FAVOR OF MERRITT
Gives His Views on the
Speakership.
he Editor of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue OF December %, under
the heading. Confer About Merritt you
say:
It Is understood that the Assemblymen-
elect in Kings County have held caucus
and decided TO stand together or ',,e n
Spea kershiy. They could De counted IN oi'-
position to Merritt in case there Was d
lineup.
AS an Assemolyman-elect from the 18th
Assembly District Of Kings County ! re-
gsrd this statement as personal renectloh'
I'm that It implies that the members-elect
from Kings County are what is popularly
known as the rubber-stamp ana Ddhd-
wagon variety. II there ever was any such
conference as suggested I'm the article re
ferred to I was not present and was not
invited.
If the organization Of Kings County and
the Assemblymen Of Kings County are
going TO be with Merritt provided he Is
going TO win and against him provided he
is going to loose, it is time the people had
a new organization and new Assemblymen.
Let them show me why Merritt should be
defeated and ! shall be against him If |
stand alone on the other hand, unless
good reasons can be shown why ne should
be defeated 7 shall be for him II l stand
alone.
II is conceded on all sides that by reason
OF ability. service and experience Mr.. Mer-
ritt is best qualified for the Speakershlp'
and that there isn't any objection to him
other than the fact that he refused TO
surrender his own opinions and refused to
mlsrepresent his own county by declining
TO support all Of Governor Hughess the
ories OF direct nominations. This objection
is not sufficient. Moreover, it is some
what remarkable that many of those VINO
are tentatively opposed to Merritt on this
ground never themselves had any faith In
or advocated tho direct nomination prin-
cipe
In the light Of all the facts yet presented
to me, common justice and fairness as well
as the ultimate good Of the party Itself
seem to demand the election of Merritt
The assumption that the Speaker VIII
absolutely control all matters of legislation
is based on the erroneous assumption that
the members-elect of the Assembly have
wishhones where their backbones ought TO
be. FORREST = ohlhiO-''
RrookIvn Dee o. 1911.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
WHERE WILL IT END7

The worst thing about the Sherwood
pension bill. which the Democratic ma
iority in the House Of Representatives
rushed through two weeks ago, is that it
creates liability which may eventually
run into the billions. II sets up a new
standard Of pensionability - not for
wounds or physical disability, not for de
pendency or indigency, but solely for SER
vice. 4 man may have suffered not the
slightest physical inconvenience from his
enlistment and may have an ample in
come, yet he will be pensionable under
the Sherwood bill just because his name
is on the list Of Civil or Mexican War
veterans
BY this bill the basic principle Of a
pension system is departed from-that
Of compensating injuries or relieving
want on dependency the improper
test Of mere service. with or without in
furious consequences, Is set up in its
stead. If such a standard of pension
ability is established, without even a
qualification as regards age it will in
evitably he taken advantage Of in the
near future by those who are now or
ganizing 10 secure larger pensions for
tbe participants in the Spanish War
There were enlisted I'm that war 29s.913
men, the great majority Of whom saw
only brief service in a training camp
In this country. On June 80 last 23, ,9S3
Of these were already on the pension roll
and the government was also paying pen
sions to 5.1O7 widows, fathers, mothers,
brothers. sisters and children Of Spanish
War veterans. If the present theories
Of penSionabiity are adhered 10 the list
of Spanish War pensioners will increase
slowly. But if the new standard of SER
vice alone is recognized there will be
100000 pensioners Of this class added TO
the roll within few years. with fair
prospect Of most Of them staying there
for the next twenty-five or thirty years
Ou the new basis the government may be
called upon 30 pay out S1OOOOO0OO0 as
additional compensation for the trifing
military services Of the Spanish War
volunteers
Moreover, if the idea spreads that len
slOns ought 90 be allowed chiefly III order
TO keep money in circulation among
deserving class, why should not future
Democratic House Of Representatives
vote 10 pension all the remaining Confed-
crate survivors Of the Civil War; Many
Southern congressman are now receiving
petitions urging that course and from
their point Of view it would only be jus
fice 10 divert n share Of the enlarged
pension fund circulation 10 the South
Once vicious measure like the Sher-
wood bin gets on the statute books no
one can see the end. If Congress begins
by giving away $750O0O00 a year, which
the Treasury has still 10 raise, It may
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

- 'N'A INV AlApNHf
Washington. Dec. 23.-With the great in
hux OF student visitors, both boys and
girls, Washington society has laid aside it's
moro formal entertainments and Informal
Christmas celebrations will take their
place. Mr.. and Mrs John HAYS Hammond
have with them Major Fred w. Burnham.
the noted South African scout and writer.
and their two sons. Harris Hammond and
John Hays Hammond. jr., OF New York.
Colonel and Mrs Robert NJ. Thompson are
entertaining Mr. and Mrs. Stephen n. p.
Pell and their children and Miss Kathleen
Beresford, OF England Mrs Richard II.
Townsend has with her her son-in-law and
daughter. Mr. and Mrs Peter Goelet Gerry.
Of New York.
hop at Fort Myer engaged two hundred
OF the younger members OF society tonight.
dancing beginning at $50. The officers. hail
was made gay with nags and green's and
the Fort Myer band provided ,ba r,us,c
Mrs Garrard and Mrs. johnson yeca,v.,
the guests
Mrs william r. Montgomery entertained
al luncheon to-day
Lieutenant ana Mrs. F. B. Wilby enter
taiheo at u'nher preceding the Fort Myer
hop. and Captain and Mrs. William
strother smith also had dinner guests
whom they took TO Fort Myer.
Mrs. William r. Draper entertained a.
number OF guests at dinner tonight.
The marriage OF Miss Stephanie Tr..cot,
and Lieutenant George Wade Martin. II
s NJ. C., took place at 1 O'clock th,, a,,.r.
noon at the home of the brides mother,
Accompanying the bride were hsr s,st.r
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Has not the time arrived for 4
worlds flag or banner? The writer be-
lieves IL has The number of International
conventions and functions, already large, is
constantly increasing Worlds educational,
philanthropic, political, religious. scientific.
social, trade and other organizations when
meeting in the great cities Of various coun-
tries have the halls In which they convene
decorated with the flags Of the several ma
tions Surely, the time has come for OBJ
jectifylng the solidarity OF the human race
BY means of some sort Of emblem. II 1t
were done, the flags OF the nations could
he draped about the universal emblem, OF,
II necessary or desirable, the worlds Hag
or banner could be used alone.
II an emblem cannot be soon and officially
authorized by the governments OF the world.
would II not be worth while for the Hague
Peace Tribunal or the International Peace
Society 10 supply or indorse a tentative
banner? The flag or banner should be on
sale and be distributed not only in few
large standard sizes. but also In the tiny
souvenir forms. Pins and buttons bearing
the emblem might also be utilized 10 great
advantage.
HENRY FRANCIS KASTENDIECK.
New York, Dec 20, 1911
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

oyster. whether of the "foated or deep
sea class. That may be. Yet II Is small
satisfaction TO the individual who mas TO
put ND with bloated. distorted, bleacned'
insinid "Aoaters" when his mind remem-
bers and his stomach clamors for the
dainty. saine-sweet SAVIOR or the salt
water shellfish, to know that the degeh-
crate makeshift is not necessarily fatai
when taken internally. II Is bad enough
TO have driven a generation of oyster
eaters to the desperate expedient o.
drowning the bivalve In flood OF catsup
and spices and horseradish to belool
stomachs which otherwise would protest
too violently against the favorless
clammy substance The true oyster
taken gently from his salt sea home ana
transported with care to the plate oi
the ultimate consumer, is a dream OF
bliss, compact of alluring charms. COM
fort to the body and as appealing TO the
imagination as foam-fecked Aphrodite
The man who would float one is an
enemy TO the race. The least the Pure
Food Board can do is TO run him out or
business. He ought to be drawn and
quartered.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
From the Tribune Bureau. !


Washington. Dec. 23.-Seldom has the
diplomatic corps been more scattered AZ
Christmas time than this year The Aus
trian Ambassador and Baroness Hengel-
miller who head the list, are in Austria:
the French Ambassador and Nine Jusse-
rand are on the way to Panama. and the
German Ambassador and Countess Won
Bernstorff are in New York Several of
the ministers also are absent from the
capital.
The German COUNSELLOR and Nine
Haniel Won Haimhausen will do the
Christmas honors in the absence OF the
Ambassador and Countess Won Bernstorff
AM will light large Christmas tree to-
morrow night. They will have all the
embassy staff and several New York
friends with them at dinner.
Colonel Baron de Bode. Russian milf
tary attache, and his sister, Baroness
Elizabeth de Bode. have established their
home at No 2o24 0 street FOR the season.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
THE SPIRIT OF THE DAY.

-
II is on the whole felicitous circum-
stance that the actual date of the blrtn OF
.Jesus of Nazareth is unknown and that
the celebration of that event has been
established at the time of that one OF
the traditional and primeval heatheh
festivals which was most universal III
its observance and most cosmic in its
significance. Fixed upon the precise
date of the actual Nativity at Bethle-
hem, Christmas would have been con
fined 10 the interests of the Christian
Church and would have been little more
than ecclesiastical in its purport. Made
TO coincide with the ancient festival of
the return Of the sun to tighten the
world and the consequent promise OF
renewed life, it makes its appeal to the
natural as well as TO the spiritual man
and becomes a day of universal accept
ance.
More and more. too. the intrinsic
spirit of the day makes its appeal TO all
men. From the strictest point of view
it Is the anniversary Of the birth OF
Jesus of Nazareth, and thus of the
foundation Of the Christian religion
In a broader and no less true sense 1t
marks the opening Of new era OF
humanity, the era of peace and good
will. There are not many phrases when
have been more debased with cant than
those. yet there are none Of higher value
To the race and none, we may hope, des-
tined to have a more practical realiza-
ton. II may he that man is a fighting
animal and that the world to-day Is
groaning under the weight of pOnderous
military armaments. Yet a contrast of
the present time against the average
time Of centuries ago shows how much
the spirit Of peace and good will is pre-
vailing, a revelation which is still
more heightened by observation Of the
changed circumstances and methods or
warfare in the wars which still occur
Brood over the evil that is in the world
and the proneness of man 10 resort TO
force as much as we may. II would be
absurd to deny that in twenty centuries
immeaswable progress has been made
toward the ideal expressed In the an
gelic message.
1t would indeed not be too much TO
say that in this respect the most marked
prevalence of Christianity has been
achieved. In its narrower ecclesiastical
and credal sense Christianity is still in
a small minority among the peoples Of
the world. But the principles Of peace
and good will have won to themselves
the vast majority. Many who profess
Christianity as an ecclesiastical creed
are far from exemplifying in their lives
and conduct its essential principles. But
uncounted myriads who have not techni-
cally accepted Christianity are effective
lv practising that spirit of 1t which was
proclaimed 10 the world in advance OF
the worship Of its Founder. II is thus
that Christmas Day commands world
wide interest and sympathy, among non
Christians as well as Christians. and
takes the place of the ancient Yule as
the most nearly universal and elemental
of all our festivals.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
"ELOATED' OYSTERS.

The decision Of the Pure Food Board
that "foated" oysters-that IS, oysters
fattened in fresh or brackish water after
having been torn from their beds-must
be classed as adulterated under the pure
food act cannot be too highly commended.
1t may be considered unjust by the ig-
norant or unscrupulous dealers who foist
such productions on defencelesS public.
but IT. will bring JOY to the heart and
sweet solace TO the inner man Of thou
sands who know and appreciate the sea-
horn oyster. Perhaps It is not going too
far TO say that such a farreaching de-
cision has not been rendered since DR.
Wiley-it was DR. Wiley, wasn't IT,
decided that all whiskey was whiskey.
although some varieties were better
than others.
Dr. Lederle, Health Commissioner Of
New York, gives his assurance that no
case Of typhoid has been traced to the
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
AID EOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Response TO the appeal sent out by
the New York Home for Destitute Grip
pied Children has been very poor, and we
arc hard pressed for funds to continue this
much needed work. VIII you kindly help us
by calling attention 20 our great need OF
money? We have no other way TO raise
money now. and We are doing really great
work
Boys and girls when old and strong
enough to work have been placed In good
positions with telephone. electric, tailoring
and millinery companies and
in the large department stores All arc
giving entire satisfaction and are self-sup-
porting. Contributions sent to the Lincoln
Trust Company, treasurer, No. 20s Fifth
avenue. will add much 10 the happiness OF
these children We have gathered from tha
dark corners Of our city.
A. LOUISE ERLANGER.
FOUNDER and President
New York. Dec 2l. 1911.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
GETTING THAT S1OO,OOO,0OO
Architect Has Scheme for Beautifying
Cities on a Small Outlay.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Noting your editorial "Cities Beauu-
full" I beg to offer a suggestion that
think would put s100,0OO,0o0 in the pocket
OF the city, instead Of out. In very few
wears. or in any ones pocket who has $780,
900 TO carry it out--namely, buy up In Sc
lected district all the very poorest property.
This can be done because sections many
times larger than would be required for this
purpose have been so bought without con-
demnation proceedings and the improve
ments vastly enhanced their values Then
under the direction of competent architects
and real estate operators, improve inc oid
buildings or tear them down and rebulld
or even let them remain as they are. only
giving them decent repairs to make them
look as presentable as possible, and the
neighborhood will Immediately be so I'M
proved as 10 get better rentals and better
class Of tenants. AMI the property If put an
the market, will sell for more than the pur-
chase price Of the year before.
A very practicable way TO carry out such
a scheme. which In New York would prob
ably have to be done by the citizens, would
be for the Cities Beautiful Association 10
select such a neighborhood and approach
all the property owners who would be bene-
fitted to buy stock in a corporation TO be
formed for the purpose Of buying up and
improving the Objectionable lots or houses
under their auspices, or even leasinS them
for long terms After the first successful
operation. advertised as il would be in the
newspapers. the citizens generally would
probably be glad to buy bonds In companies
under such control. for the double purpose
of earning many times the bank interest
and improving their city.
JOSEPH II. MKF,NNEE.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

papers. naming in particular certain Ger
man publications which have become per-
tculary obnoxious because OF their nav
ing published matter 'flerogatory 10 inc
fair name of Italy" Credit is given 10 ''e
Just European papers. the articles III
which serve as n correction against the
poison of the biassed press, and long aru-
Gle translated from The Tribune is rete'reu
to as a sample Of fairness and OF justice ~
the Italians
The stranger in New York was stdrIisu LII
by the changing Of an ambulance bel "e
ambulance stopped at the side door ol q
hotel and the attendants hurriedly ehtsteo
the building with their stretcher. BUT tu're
was no crowd no confusion.
What's the excitement the stranger
asked a native. ~ -
There's no excitement" the latter re-
piled. "A stage lady has shot Il weatny
gentleman. That's all. r,,.,..
And ne hurried along. .-CleVelahd tl'ih
Dealer
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
Nstp@Drrk Grihnrle.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER a. 1911.

This newspaper Is oic1ed and pHo-
Iished by The Tribune Association q
Neto York corporation; office and prin-
cipal place Of business, Tribune Buitd'
iug, No. 154 Nassau street, Neio lor6;
ogden Halls, president; ogden ". Reid
secretary; James u. Barrett, treasurer
The address Of the officers Is the Office
Of this newspaper.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

THE Richmond Times Dispatch re-
ports that considerably more than n
third OF Richmonds municipal income
will be spent next year on salaries, if
ordinances now pending enlarging the
payroll become law. We spread the
good news I'm the hope that 1t may reach
some Of the hungry and thirsty here who
think that their services as statesmen
are not sufficiently sought after or COM
pensated. An exodus to Virginia from
East 14th street would have manifold
advantages. Can Tammany overlook
the opportunity to colonize so fallow a
field?
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
Houston evidently wishes to advertise
itself as among the Extensively rich.

The Chinese revolutiontsts would COM
mand more sympathy If they would
maintain the anti-opium policy of the
empire. Unfortunately, they are doing
Just the contrary, and wherever they are
triumphant the poppy fields are being
replanted and the trade In and use Of
the drug are revived. Freedom to hit
the pipe" is a poor basis upon which to
erect a republic.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

easily acquire the cheerful habit Of pass
ing the pension plum pudding around
first and letting the burdened taxpayer
struggle to catch up with the procession
afterWard
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
BY FIGHTING FOR IT,

From The Boston Transcript
China Is "ngstng for freedom and good gov
ernment" When she acquires the latter Wa OF
tho oceident would nightly like to know how
abe did -
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

The European outcry against President
Taft's proposals concerning tolls at
Panama is not at all unexpected, but II
is without Justification. The President
has not suggested any discrimination in
tolls on the contrary lie has pointed
out the indisputable fact that we are
bound to maintain them at an equal rate
for all nations. But we know OF no
treaty or other obligation which re-
strains this country from exercising the
same freedom that every other nation
enjoys to subsidze its shipping and 10
subsidize the shipping on a specific route.
There may be room for critjcising that
policy. but It would not come with good
grace from those nations which have
most practised It and which owe to it a
large proportion Of their present ocean
borne commerce.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

According to the tax assessors rolls we
infer that there are at least nine persons
in Houston able TO own a pound OF good
Post
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

man like Charles II. Hyde have had In
any attempt to discredit Otto G. Foelker
as witness in racetrack bribery mat
favc0
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Possibly the big slump in immigration
is due to the fact that Europe has heard
Of the sky-high prices which we are pay
ing for butter and eggs
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Mayor Lew" Shank OF indianapolis is
in a class by himself as an up-to-date
American Santa Claus.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Mr.. and Mrs. Freedom Hutchinson
Newton, Mass, announce the
OF their daughter. Miss Eleanor .,h
Hutchinson, 10 George Raymond Aihsss -..s
Of this city. a son OF pr. GeorSe
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Miss Helen Rich made her debut yes,
day afternoon at q reception given ~
mother. Mrs. Frank L. sustton, AZ
house In West 6sth street Miss aieh "
a,sistsd In receiving by Miss Cora hen
Morris. Miss Vera Van Buren, ano ~
pianths Fitch. Tho reception was fo''''
nv a dinner and a theatre party.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Mrs. James Remsen Strong gives dano'
or Friday night al Sherry's for her dsusn'
ter, Miss Margaret Strong, and for not
niece. Miss Frances Henry. and on th'
same evening the first of the Metropoltsh
dances Of the winter will take place also =,
Sherrys for young girls who have s'V'
twelve months 10 wait before making theT
debut. These dances owe their name 20 tne
fact that they were formerly held N u'
Ladies' Annex Of the Metropolitan Clup'
The patronesses this winter include Nrs
r. Fulton Cutting, Mrs. Percy R. Pyns'
Mrs. Archibald Rogers and Mrs. Wilam
Jay Schieffelin.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

The Junior League. composed in The man
of debutantes OF the season and organize
Tor the purpose OF charity, has arrange"
TO give its dramatic entertainment on to'
evenings OF February and az the Plai
There will be a comedietts BY way OF eui
tain raiser and this will be followed "
tabeaus from The Arabian Nights
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Mrs William Lummis's reception iof ",
coming out or her daughter. Miss hsr"',
Lunmis. took place yesterday afternoon
tho Buckingham Hotel. Receiving win ~
debutante we're Miss Estelle oBrien' s, M's,
Elisabeth sabin. Miss Adelaide and M
Marjorie Browning and Miss ElsSpe
stillman Kendall After dinner Mrs buD
mis- took the young glrls and a numper y,
young men of 10 the Garrlek Theatre ~
from there 10 Sherrys for supper ana
informal dance. .r
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Tommy-Pop, what is the difference be-
tween an epithet and an epitaph?
Tommy's Pop-One is applied 10 a man
before he is dead, and the other afterward.
philadelphia Record
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24
AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE FLAG

New York. Dec. 21. 1911.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Miss Eleanor S. Prentice made her deou'
yesterday afternoon at a reception sN'"
by her father William S. p. Prentice o.
his house in East 55th street. She ""
chaperoned by her aunt, Mrs. Reeve sep'e''
and assisted In receiving by Miss po'N
Porter, Miss Nathalie Slocum. Miss Ma,
jorie Weeks and Miss Ruth Moller. iH'
reception was followed by dinner ana
small informal dance.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Mrs. W. Bayard Cutting Is among th'
many hostesses who are giving dances on
Wednesday night, the entertainment tax
ins place az her house I'm East 72d street
and Mrs. William Ross Proctor has
dance at Sherrys on that evening for her
daughter. Miss Nouletti Proctor, While
Miss Catherine l.. Hsmersley also gives
large luncheon on Wednesday for ne
cousin. Miss Winifred Chisolm.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

Mrs. John c. Livingston. who has taAe'
No 81 West 51th street for the season
gives a dance on Thursday night for ner
daughter. Miss Aida livingston who has
made her debut this winter. The dance VII
take place at sherry's, where Mrs. ) 'oo'
hunter Thompson has = dance on the SANE
evening for her second daughter MhS
Elizabeth Remsen Thompson. Neither Mfs
Thompson nor Mrs. Livingston viii ha''
cotillons
New-York tribune., 1911-12-24

TO the E0ltOr Oh Inc lTlpuHe'
Sir: In your issue OF December Z5, uhdel
the heading. Confer About Merritt you