davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
Excess Of Untaxed Property.

Figures are given in the committees re-
port to show that in 1904 the untaxed
property of the United States in the Dis
| trict of Columbia, exclusive of streets
and avenues, amounted to $198.O0S,13
while that of the citizens. subject to
taxes. amounted to s191, All ,sO4. The ex-
cess of untaxed property belonging to the
government, exclusive Of the streets and
avenues amounted to $664O,:S3J
1.-The excess of non-taXable property is
being constantly increased by the pur-
chase and condemnation of taxable prop
erty for the use of the general and DIS
trict governments and the dedication OF
religious, charitable and reformatory
uses the report continued.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce
committee point out that the holdings OF
the federal government in the Dlstrict
have become much larger and more Valu-
able since 1896 and are now still greater
in excess value than the property held by
the citizens Of the District.
The Selection of the Capital.
The report of the District committee of
the House. which was submitted by Rep
rsentative Babcock in 1896 goes into the
history of the relationship between the
federal government and the National
Capital 1t says:
During the revolution Congress was
repeatedly compelled to change Its place
Of meeting by the approach of the Brit
ish troops. In June. 1873. it was Obliged
to leave Philadelphia by demonstration
Of body of dissatisfied soldiers of the
revolution, and, as the city and state
authorities acknowledged their inability
to afford the necessary protection. the
trainers of the Constitution saw the ne
cessity for giving to Congress absolute
control of the future capital, wherever 1t
might be located.
1T is not necessarw to go into a detail
ed statement as to how the National Cap
ital came to be located where 1t Is. 1T
is sufficient to say that after a contest
of seven years in Congress and the con-
sideratiOn of no less than twenty-five
sites in several different states and the
pas by one House Of bill for dual
| capital, with a provision that Congress
| should meet alternately at the two places.
1t was finally by a compromise. located
| here July Is, 1880.
"The act authorized President Wash
| ington to appoint three commissioners to
| Law out and define the boundaries of the
| District, and to lay ont the city on such
| plan as he might see fit.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20

From the Milwaukee News
Si-Did We git bounced on Yer last
trip To the city. Hi?
Hi-Nope. beat them confidence
fellers this time, ST.
Si--Dew tell.
Hi-The porter on the sleeping car
didn't leave nothin fer them ter git
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
City Assumes Expenses.

LAS the government had not the means
TO push the work and the city fund
had been used up or lost. the citizens of
their own accord under authority of Con-
gress, began to improve the streets and
avenues, and for that purpose not only
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20

tees. with an agreement that he should
select SO much as he saw fit; should lay
1T out as he chose; that all land taken for
streets. avenues and alleys should be a
free gift to the United States: that the
land selected for public reservations, for
public buildings, parks. etc, should be
paid for at 1856 per acre: that the bal
ance should be laid out into squares and
lots to be divided equally between the
original prOprietOrs and the government.
The total number of acress taken for
the city was Gill. Donated to the United
States for streets and avenues were 5000
acres; donated to the United States were
1856 building lots. amounting to 9S2
acres: bought by the United States for
public buildings and use were 541 acres
The total number OF acres taken by the
United States was 5,129. Decided back to
the original owners were 10 1876 lots, or 9S2
acres.
'As the 541 acres for public buildings
and reservations were required to be paid
for out of the first proceeds from the sale
of the lots donated to the government. 1t
will be seen that of the Gill acres. 5.129,
or five-sixths of the whole, We're gift to
the government, and that consequently
the very ground upon which the Capitol,
the White House and all the original de-
partment buildings stand did not cost the
government a farthing.
Large Area Occupied by Streets.
1.-THE city was designed as the capital
of a great nation-one in which every citi-
zen of the nation was to have an interest
and in which all would have national
pride. With that idea it was laid out on
a magnificent plan and scale. Streets,
avenues and alleys occupied more than
"a per cent of It's entire area. There is
no city in the world in which anywhere
near so large a proportion of it's area is
thus occupied.
THE official records show beyond ques
ton that the government understood
clearly that it, and not the citizens, was
to open the streets and make the inn
provementS. 1t was always spoken of by
the authorities as the Federal city, the
seat of the national government. The
Commissioners always spoke of it as be-
longing to the United States government
Both Washington and Jefferson so I'M
derstood it. In a letter to the commits
sioners. December II, 1875. Washington
says When you are in position to be-
gin the opening of avenues, it is presumed
those which will be more Immediately
useful will be first cleared.
THE obligation of the government in
regard othe National Capital was under
stood at home and abroad. The first two
sales of lots were extensively advertised
i'm England and Thomas Law and other
Englishmen were among the purchaS erS.
The general belief was that the United
States would bear all the expenses of the
new city.
THE obligation thus created, owing to
the condition of the government at that
time, was not carried out by the govern
ment, as agreed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
Surprised His Audience.
A Poor Conversationalist.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
rs your husband good after-dinner
talker?"
No indeed. As soon as he's had din
ner he lies down on the couch and falls
asleep, and | never get word out of
him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
District Excluded Unfairly.

I'm 1890 Congress provided for an an
nual appropriation of $4,000 for agricul-
tural and mechanical schools for each
state and territory, but excluded the Dis
trict of Columbia from any share therein.
"a large number of the pupils in the
public schools of the District reside in
the states and territories All govern
ment employees and officials, including
senators and representatives. may send
their children to the District schools and
many avail themselves of this advantage.
Congress has enacted a compulsory law
imposing a fine OF 500 upon each parent
or guardian for failure to send each child
of school age to school for twelve weeks
each year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
Land Decided to Nation.

'In order to carry out this act Wash
ington, in March, 1871. made a bargain
with the nineteen owners of the land
mostly covered with forest trees and
with but few resdents) by which they
decided their lands in trust to two trus-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
HEARST A DEMOCRAT,
HE TELLS NEW YORK
Has Returned to Party Fold,
But Will Continue to
Fight Tammany.

NEW YORK, October 2O.-William r.
Hearst's announcement that he was back
in the regular democratic fold caused
much speculation in political circles today
regarding the fate of the independence
League. This organization was founded
by Mr.. Hearst and nominated candidates,
supported by him, i'm the last national
and state campaigns. The question now
is to what extent, if at all. he will use
it in coming political battles.
Mr.. Hearst declared himself last night
at the opening rally of the local fusion
campaign in the first public address he
has made since his recent return from
abroad.
Won Back to Democracy.
81 am speaking" he said, "as a good
citizen, / hope. and also as good demo-
crat. Mr. Murphy and his kind drove me
out of the democratic party five years
ago, but the commendable course of the
national democracy has brought me back
into the fold
He declared that he would continue his
fight against the "undemocratic prin-
ciples'' of Tammany Hall, but that the
greatest benefit loyal democrats could
confer upon the national democracy was
to free it of the hindrance and handicap
of Murphy and Tammany Hail.
Surprised His Audience.
Mr.. Hearst's audience was composed al
most entirely of republicans and MEM
bers of the Independence League and his
declaration caused surprise and wide
spread comment. The fusion movement
here, with which Mr.. Hearst's adherents
have allied themselves is opposing the
regular democratic candidates to be voted
on this fall for the assembly, the
judiciary and county officers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
Nations Obligation to the Capital.

The fact that the nation. which at the
beginning took title by gift of five-sixths
of the area of the National Capital, still
owns more than half in value Of the real
estate of the District, irrespective of the
streets, of which it holds the absolute
fee; and the fact that Congress In its
will exercises the power Of exclusive
legislation over the entire District con-
ferred upon 1t by the Constitution, COM
bined to raise fresh and present obliga-
ton on the part of the nation In respect
of it's capital, Independent of and IN ad-
dition to the equity arising from national
acts and representations in the creation
of the city and District
ITO change the act of 1873, as proposed
bv this bill would be clear reputation of
both the equitable and legal obligations
assumed by the nation in regard to the
National Capital. This we cannot believe
Congress will do.
"a repudiatio Of national obligations
i'm respect to the nations city would re-
suit either in a discredtable capital,
poorly sustained by reasonable taxation
upon local resources. or in the virtual
of local property through ex-
cessive taxation"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20

j IL: Chaplain was found dead in bed
Wednesday morning at his home i'm Wa
terford. Loudoun county. Va He was
seventy years OF age
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20

taxed themselves. but the city also bor-
,rowed money from foreign capitalists.
which it was unable to pay. and in 1885
appealed to Congress for relief.
Though sharing all the national bur
dens, the District has not adequately
shared in the distribution of the national
land and money among the states for
educational and other purposes. but helps
to support it's school system out Of the
annual revenues.
while the general government has
given to the states $2S,O00.OOO surplus
cash from the Treasury, and for public
schools, universities. agricultural col
leges, railroads and other internal i'm
provements has given 35O.OOO.O 600 acres Of
the public lands, it's financial aid to the
District schools has been comparatively
small, and it has never given to the Dis
trict single acre of the public lands for
these plIrpOses
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

An Ohio man has a natural barometer, in
the shape of big green frog, captured three
years ago He has globe of fresh water ior
the frog to dive in, while an empty glass
fruit jar, inverted over the mouth Of the
globe, serves as the frogs parlor. From three
to eight hours before a rain the frog VIII
jump out of the water into the fruit jar and
remain there until the rain comes. The gem
tleman says it is neyer-failing barometer,
and sets great store by it. ''
There is an old car driver who is
firmly convinced that horses can talk to each
other. FOR long time" he saws, ~ have
been driving sturdy old bay. There is moth
ing fast about him, but when it comes to pull
ing he can discount any other horse owned
by the company, He knows, too, when he is
hitched up with balky mate, ami it is from
his actions on Oecasions of that kind that
am convinced that horses understand each
other. When he is in harness with a balky
partner he will stand perfectly still and let
the other do all the prancing and kicking.
When it quiets down a bit he will rub its
neck and put his nose up close to its ear,
becomes quiet, the old fellow will make a
move as if to start If the other takes the
cue, well ami good but if there is one bit of
rearing and jumping, he will settle back in his
place and repeat the neck-rubbing and sup
posed whispering operations. The second one
Is generally successful, and with slight neigh,
as II his efforts had brought about the de-
sired result, the old fellow starts the car all
by himself. / tell you, he can cure more balky
horses OF their bad habits and in quicker
time than ali the trainers put together.
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09
Some Big Jumps

t, carry him over the ground when he has
reached the toe mark.
An athlete, who is also sprnter is soon
able to make big brobd jump, and the DIS
tance has grown gradually until now leap
of twenty-three feet is often made
1t has been noted that lrishmen excel all
other nations in brobd jumping. They have
often won at English championships and
three of them-Davin, Purcell and Malone
have cleared more than twenty-three feet:
DAWN. TOO. has u record as high jumper oil
6 feet 2A inches. In 1888, Parsons, of Edin-
burgh Univ ersity,. won the English intercoi.
legiSte championship, in both the high and
broad jumps, with leaps OF feet and n
II Coos not follow, though, that h high
jumper is always able to clear great dis.
tance. NJ. J. Sweeney, who, in a running
high jump, has cleared 9 feet AN inches,
did not broad jump, and w. Il. Page an
old University of Pennsylvania man, who long
held the world record as high jumper,
could not clear more than twenty feet in the
broad jump.
The young athletes Of Revolutionary times
did not have the Improvements that are to
be found in athletic contests today. Spiked
shoes we're not worn then, neither did the
jumper have cinder path for his run" or
things all help to lengthen the distances
made.
There is no form of physical exercise
which stffens Aand strains the muscles more
than broad jumping does, if carried to ex-
cess. The young athlete had better be care.
full at first not to OveTdo the work. II will
be saIer for him to strive TO emulate George
Washington in things other than broad jump
ing
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09
Anecdotes About Animals

4" L the Asuarium in Berlin there is a
N big gorilla whose habits are about as
~ correct those of his most distant
IL III relatives. He gets up at eight in the
- morning, takes a bath and uses soap
without hesitation. When his toilet
is completed, he takes a cup Of milk and eats
two loayes of bread with sausages AMI smoked
teef. AT one p. M. he takes his soup, meat
end vegetables and a cup of coffee. He uses
hB knife, fork and napkin in a very genteel
manner, but, when he thinks his keepers are
not observing him, he plunges his 'muzzle IN
the bowl OF seizes the meat with his fingers,
An Indian farmer had bought lot of stock.
including cow and her calf, which he was
driving home. At length a creek was reached,
which the cattle had to ford. The water was
deep, and, as the cattle plungei in, they were
swept off their feet. the mother cow among
the rest The calf meantime was taken by
the current several rods down stream, and
when the poor COW regained her footing and
discerned this her distress was apparent In
stead Of making for the opposite shore, as the
other animals had done. she swan down the
stream below her calf. The current drove
the little creature against her mother, and
the COW promptly started for the shore, the
calf swimming alongside of her About mid
way Of the stream the swift current, striking
the calf in the fore-quarters, swept it behind
the COW, and again it foundered down stream.
Once more the mother went to the rescue
swimming around to the other side of the calf
again. and Lnis time her efforts were success
full apl she brought her progeny safely to
More.
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

Forest was haunted; that spirits were seen,
by moonlight gliding among the dusky trees;
that demons revelled there when the tempest
arose, and the lghtnings flashed and the
rain dashed on the great oaks. The old for
esteTs dill not wish to return to it now. They
talked of it in low whispers, as Of a place ac-
cursed.
At last William died II was a bitter
death. The Conqueror trembled before that
Conqueror to whom the princes of the earth
must yield.
It is said that, when he reached the height
Of his fame, he declared that he would sur
Iehler his crowns and kingdom to know again
peace of mind, the love of a true friend,
or the innocent sleep of a child"
When his last hour drew near the mobiles
fled from his bedside. His servants pillaged
the apartment where he died, and rolled the
dead body from the bed and left it lying on
the floor. A good knight took it up and cal.
ried it to st. Stephens Church at Caen.
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

lie left three sons, William Rufus, Robert
land, to the second Normandy, and to the last
large sum of money.
William Rufus now became King of Eng.
land. He was called the Red King" be-
red king he proved to be, in another sense.
The Red King like his father quarrelled
with everybody, and, like him, sought and
found enjoyment by hunting in the New For
est. -
One pleasant day in May, when the leaves
were tender and the ferny hills were sunny
and sprinkled with flowers, another Richari,
the son of Robert of Normandy, went to hunt
was accidentally shot by an arrow. Again a
mournful retinue came out OF the forest,
bearing the body of prince, stained with
blood
August came, with its young deer and new.
ly.fledged birds. The Red King with his
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

brother Henry ami a great court party went
hunting and feasting. The first day sped
merrily and was followed by a banquet. 1t
was held at a place called Malwood Keep,
famous lodge for royal hunting parties.
Tie next night n man with a coal cart was
Iiding in the New Forest, when he discovered
a body lying by the way, pierced by an arrow
in the breast He laid It in his dirty cart and
jcggeG on. 1t was the Red King
Many stories are told of the manner in
which the king was killed. Some say that he
was accidentally shot by Sir Walter Tyrrel,
. famous hunter in those days.
1t is sail that the king and Sir Walter came
uLon stag. The king drew his bow, and
the string broke.
"Snoot, Walter!" said the king.
Tho arrow flew, struck tree, glanced, and
where the poor peasants had foretold he
would die, in the New Forest.
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

MI urally talked about the Father, Of his
. Country. One Of them, in speaking
of Washington's strength, said there
was a story that the President once threw a
silver dollar across the Potomac, opposite
Mount Vernon.
Any one who has ever seen the river at
that point knows that such a throw must
have been a remarkable one, and some Of the
gentlemen were doubtful as to whether it
could have been done.
"W+ll, 1 believe the story" said one
You know dollar went much farther in
the time of Washington than it does today"
Then everybody laughed, and the discus
sion ended.
From all accounts, however, Washington
must have been a great athlete. Readers of
Thackeray's nevel, The Virginan's," will
remember the description OF jumping match
between Harry Warrington and Lord
March and Ruglen. Harry won with jump
OF u feet 3 inches, against his opponents IS
feet, inches. But in his letter to Virginia
Harry. said that he knew Colonel George
Washington could have cleared foot more
than he did.
A jump of this length would be considered
great one today, and any athlete who
could accomplish it would come near to
Within the past decade great and
rapid progress has been made in broad jump
ing: There was time when a jumper took
short run only, not considering the value of
speed, but depending mostly on the spring
and ON the strength of his muscles. But to-
day he takes long run, trusting to his speed
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09
BY JAMES BLVERSON

COPYRIGHT BY JAMES ELVERSOE
.NE day a group of gentlemen stood on
\ the lawn at Mount Vernon, once the
home of George Washington, and nat
urally talked about the Father of his
j Country. One Of them, in speaking
Of WaShinOton,a stranofh sa;1 there
The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

7BOUT eight hundred years ago, Viii.
A liam, Duke of of Normandy, aspirod
~ to become King Of England, and to
IN wear the crown whose rightful calm.
ant was Edgar Atheling. He made
= Harold, another heir TO the English
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-05
Wool Growers in Convention
Are Sternly Opposed to Re-
duction in Schedules.
PRESIDENT G00DING FOR
MORE HUMANE TREATMENT
Also Declares That Sheepmen
Pay Exorbitant Rates on
Their Products.

PORTLAND. Or. Jan. 4.-The discus
sions OF the delegates at the National
Woolgrowers association today constant
Is reverted to the problem of the tariff.
and the unanswered question: why
should wooden clothing cost so much?
DR.. j. NJ. Wilson of Douglas, Wyo,. H.
Illustrated the problem in a speech by
pointing TO his suit OF clothes. for which
he paid $65. the wooIen materials OF
which. he said. cost about IS. who
gets the 57?' was the question. The
6oCknaSterS pleaded mot guilty"
TO reach "a basis OF agreement be-
tween shceDmcn and manufacturers, then
by united effort To protect the wool In
dustry from experimental legislation, Is
the task outlined for tomorrow, and the
discussion win continue until the final
session Saturday
The discussion OF the tariff will begin
in earnest tomorrow and will continue
until the final report of the resolutions
committee Saturday afternoon; These
future policy OF the association on tariff
and other vital matters.
Archbishop Alexander Christie for
mally, opened the convention; Former
President Wilson OF Douglas. Wyo.. was
given an ovation when. responding to
the address OF welcome, he declared. re-
ferrirg TO the tariff:
"All we want is that the cards be dealt
from the Top Of the table with no hands
hiddcn--a square deal"
President Goodns OF Idaho delivered
his annual address.
Transportation Problems,
President Gooding briefly reviewed con-
ditions In the wool industry and indorsed
the movement for the enacting OF laws
requiring more humane treatment OF live
stock in transit To promote such leg
islatlon President Goodlng recommended
that committee OF ten or twelve ship
pers be sent to Washington to cooperate
with the National Humane society.
President Gooding called attention to
alleged exorbitant freight rates. Wool
producers. he said paid the greatest COM
modify rate on long haus OF any indus
try IN the country. He urged the con-
vention TO strive to remedy this condi-
tion.