davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
STATESMEN, REAL AND NEAR.
By FRED c. KELLY.

Senator Jonathan Bourne, jr., who re-
CARDS a parcel post as one of the great
present needs of the country, is not a
person to be hampered by precedents.
Bourne sat in his office the other day,
looking over some reports in connection
with the parcel-post inquiry now going
on.
All of a sudden it struck him as queer
that We should have been saying parcels
post for these many years rather than
just parcel post.
do we ever say letters post?'" in
quired Bourne. Then why parcels
pOst?'
And he then and there ordered the IS
struck off parcels in all his reports
and correspondence on the subject. From
now on, so far as Bourne is concerned,
1t is a parcel post that Is being in
quired into.
Senator Brown. of Nebraska, addressed
an Iowa multitude at a political meeting
last summer and jabbed a little quiet
comedy at Senator Cummins.
u hope you'n pardon me- he said to
the crowd, IF 1 talk longer than you
think l ought to. 1t isn't ofteR that
get chance to talk. At home 1 have
wife and two daughters. and in the
Senate-weIl, you know there's a certain
Senator there from the State OF Iowa.
and"
The crowd caught it right off the bat,
and yelled.
List now to the sad political tale of
Jerry Foley, of Indianapolis, Ind.
Jerry was-and is-a telegraph operator.
And he has always been strong advo-
cate OF the principles Of the Democratic
party. So 1t came about that when
Thomas A. Hendricks was Vice Presi-
dent-a quarter OF a century ago-a
bunch Of Jerry's friends decided that he
was entitled to a job at our National
Capital 1t was all arranged that he
should be the Senate telegraph operator.
Now, it happens that no Senate tele-
graph operator has been actually neces-
sary since telephones came into use. Be-
fore that an operator was needed to send
messages from the Senate to the House.
Since then the only requirement Of the
place has been for one to drop around
once a month to draw the salary.
Throughout various administrations it
has been handed out to some one of
punctual habits who could be depended
on 10 sho" up promptly vi pay udy anu
sign a voucher in a clear. legibIe hand.
At all other times one could devote ones
attention to golf, pool pinochle, or what
not.
This is the job that Jerry Foley was to
have Vice President Hendricks, by viz
tue of his office, had the disposition of
the place, and he was willing that 1t
should go to Jerry.
So Jerry resigned his job as operator
In Indianapolis, drew what money he had
in the bank, bought three suits of clothes.
and gave his entire time TO attending
farewell parties. Then he came on to
to accept his new position.
Hendricks had been called home the day
before, and the appointment was held
up until he should return. But Hen
bricks never returned to Washington.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
PHILADELPHIA'S REFORM.
Quaker City Beginning to Ex-
pericnce Good Government.

From the Philadelphia North American.
The record of the Blankenburg ad-
ministration. which is only two weeks
old, as yet is too brief to be accepted
as proof that it will justify all the hopes
and predictions OF its supporters. In
the space of a fortnight an executive
cannot acquire more than the merest
superficial knowledge of the duties and
the personnel of the city's 10000 employees
and its scores of complicated business
departments and bureaus. But the new
administration, notwithstanding these
self-evident facts, already has done
something worth while their chronicling.
First of all. Mayor Blankenburg has
done what every person acquainted with
him should have known that he would
do in respect to the observance Of the
law. His position regarding patronage
and appointments is in exact accord with
his professions OF thirty years. Those
supporters CT the keystone ticket who
are surprised at the course Mr.. Blank
enburg has taken unwittingly confess
that they did not believe in the sincerity
of Mr.. Blankenburg's written and
spoken campaign promise to the people
of Philadelphia
The merit system is established in the
public service of Philadelphia. And it
is here to stay, at least as long as
Rudolph Blankenburg is mayor. That
much 1t has taken only two weeks to
make certain.
The instant dismissal of the convicted
election criminals from the police force;
the positive assurance to every place
holder that his pay earned from the city
by honest work will not be filched from
him by political assessments; the guar
antee to the police and f1remen by the
mayor himself that they are free men.
at liberty to make their homes wherever
in the city 1t seems best for themselves and
their families, and no longer restricted
in their choice of residence by the orders
Of ward and division bosses-these were
proofs that came directly home to the
city's guardians of life and property that
under Blankenburg the merit system is
10 be a reality in Philadelphia.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
Aiding the Blind Readers.

1t appears that the experiment of
transferring the reading room for the
blind from the Library of Congress to
the Washington Public Library has not
proved satisfactory, especially to the
blind people of the District Protest
against the change has been gathering
force for several months, and now Lii
brarian Putnam, after listening to the
expression of the views of the blind
people, has promised them that the
books transferred to the Public Library
shall be taken back to the Library of
Congress, and that the room formerly
devoted to the sightless readers shall
be restored to them.
The change in the location of the
reading room for the blind was made
about a year ago, at the instigation
of Librarian Putnam, because it was
thought at the time that some COM
plants against interruptions at the Lii
brary OF Congress would be avoided,
and because it was believed that the
popular character of the Public Library
was better calculated to meet the con-
ditions requisite than the Library OF
Congress. A part of the books made
with raised letters for the use of the
blind were accordingly taken from the
one depository and transferred to the
other. and room was set apart for the
use of the blind at the institution in
Mount Vernon Square
The room at the Public Library was
in the basement. and was soon found to
lack proper ventilation. In addition to
this, only a portion of the books avail
able at the Library of Congress were
sent over to the new quarters. and this
led to complaint on the part of the
readers. The result has been that the
in Mount Vernon Square
has decreased. and the experiment has
failed to meet the expectations of Ii
brarian Putnam and his assistants. Now,
the only wise course to pursue is to re-
store the old conditions, which it is
assumed will be done soon after the
beginning of next year
Public interest in the matter ccnters
chiefly in the natural sympathy which
all people feel for the blind, whose lot
in life is pitiful enough at best. That
those who read the raised print in the
books provided for the blind should |
be permitted to do so under the most
favorable circumstances does not admit |
IF any difference of opinion.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
PROTESTS AGAINST
SECRET CAUCUSES
Enemy of Free Government
Says Nebraskan.

Declaring that the secret caucus was
the greatest enemy of free government
in the political affairs of the United
States, Representative George w. Norris.
of Nebraska, in an address on progress
sive citizenship, at the Ingram Memorial
Church last night, said that public senti-
ment was growing so that the secret
caucus would be abolished.
up to the time Of insurgency there
was not a party caucus that was not
controlled by a group of men you could
count on the fingers of one hand" he
said. The secret caucus is a device to
make a party do what it does not want
to do. 1t is partisanship that makes men
vote by caucus and against their own
convictions. Progressive citizenship de-
mands that this shall cease. The time is
coming when a party man will be as
ready to expose corruption in his own
party as he is now to expose corruption
il the other party.
Party should never be placed above
country
He said that the Post-office Depart
ment was the greatest Of all political ma
chimes for party purposes, but that the
time was coming when progressive citi-
zenship would demand that the Post
office Department be made absolutely
free from politics.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20

While at home he died. And the Repub-
lican Senate elected a Republican presi-
dent pro tenn, who gave Jerry's lovely
job to Republican.
We come now to the second chapter
of We sad tale.
A quarter Of a century had elapsed
since Jerry Foley was obliged to return
to Indianapolis without his government
job.
The Democrats last spring came into
control of the House, and once again
Jerry's friends felt that he should have
some suitable reward for his steadfast
adherence to the principles of the Demo
cratic party throughout the mounting
years. Indiana Democrats were coming
into their own. anyhow. Stokes Jackson.
lacked by Senator Kern, Tom Taggart,
and others, had already been made Ser
geant-at-arms in the House, and every
hing was arranged for Jerry Foley 10
nave the House end OF the imaginary
telegraph wire-practically the same Job
that he had lost out on twenty-five years
previous.
Once again Jerry resigned his job In
Indianapolis. and came on to the Ma
tlonaI Capital
The day arrived when his appointment
was to be announced.
Then somebody arose in the House and
made motion to have the Job Of House
telegraph operator abolished. And the
motion prevailed.
Once more Jerry Foley returned sadly
to Indianapolis, Ind.-just as he had done
on similar occasion twenty-five years
before.
Several men were seated in the outer
Office of Senator Robert L. Owen one
hot afternoon last summer when a thun-
derstorm came up. It was about the
worst storm in years and the lightning
played about the Senate office building in
manner calculated to make strong men
go and bury their heads under a quilt,
ostrich fashion. The sky got as black
as II the hour were about 1927 D. m,
and when the storm burst in all its fury,
one Of the men in the Office excitedly
lowered both the window and the blinds
and turned on the lights. Between the
fear of being struck by lightning and
having to stare at the awe-impellng
sight. the storm had got on his nerves.
About that time the door leading to
Senator Owens private office blew open.
There stood the half-Indian Senator
leaning out Of the window, which was
thrown wide open, gazing at the storm
with glittering eyes-completely fasci-
mated
Don't you know you'll be hit by light
ming in a minute and killed." somebody
exclaimed.
Senator Owen laughed.
DO you think 1 would miss a sight
like that" said he. That's Nature in
all its splendor. It's glorious"
President Taft has a favorite dish that
finds its way to the White House tabls
nearly every day. 1t Is nothing more or
less than assorted nuts. Nuts are fat
tening, but the President eats them with
much abandon.
Copyright, 1911, by Fred c. Kelly. All rights To
serTed)
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
MR. TAFT'S POSITION.
Brother Charles Cites Some POIiti-
cal Parallels.

Brother Charles Cites Some PoIiti-
cal Parallels.
From the Cincinnati Tmes-star owned by c. p
TaftL
The political atmosphere is full of talk
just now to the effect that the President
will be renominated, but cannot be re-
elected; that he has lost popularity: that
his party is hOpelessly divided, and that
he cannot bring it together While the
majority of the national committee re-
Gently assembled in Washington were
friendly to Mr.. Taft, it is said that they
displayed no enthusiasm.
Those unfamiliar with American history
are apt to imagine that such talk and
such conditions never existed before, and
that a President about whom such things
can be said in December cannot possibly
be reelected in November
1t happens that American history is full
of examples to the contrary. The case OF
Roosevelt in 1904 is in point. All during
his first term there was talk about some
other man to lead the Republican ticket
in 1905. Mark Hanna at one time doomed
very large not only in the public mind
but in the mind of Mr. Roosevelt him
self
When the convention met all the CORE
spOndents spoke Of the striking lack Of
enthusiasm among the delegates. The
party was taking its dose they said.
Roosevelt had TO be renominated. but no.
body was glad of it. 1t was not until
the landslide of the following November
that the wise men suddenly awakened to
the fact that Roosevelt was tremendously
popular.
The ebbing fortunes of Abraham Lin
coin during the spring and summer pre-
ceding the election of 1864 show how I'M
reliable are representations of gloom ut
tered six or even three months before a
national election. Mr.. Lincoln is al
ready beaten" wrote Horace Greeley on
August IS. I'VE must have another ticket
to save US from utter overthrow"
There have been many occasions in
American history when it seemed that a
strong, pure-minded. patriotic President
was hopelessly discredited before the peo-
pie during his first term. Much fewer
have been the occasions when such a
President has been turned down by the
people when it came to the final test of
a national convention
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
American Citizenship Upheld.

The President has served notice upon
Russia that the treaty of 1882 will be
terminated in one year; the Senate has
ratified his action and the House will
concur. After long delay. during which
the courteous protests of this country
have been ignored, the time has at
last arrived when Russia is made cog
infant of the feeling of the American
people concerning the attitude Of that
government in discriminating against
American citizens.
1t is doubtless proper that in dealing
with Russia we should carefully con-
ceal the basis OF our action. Diplomacy
probably requires devious and hidden
methods in order to accomplish Ger
tain desired ends. For this reason the
innocuous note which the President sub
mitted to the Russian government in
lieu Of the direct and straightforward
declaration of the House of Representa-
tives has its advantages After all. there
will b: no dispute over language The
result is the vital thing. and this has
been attained
We have shown Russia that VIC in
Sist upon equal rights for American
citizens everywhere. Our position in
the matter is plain, even though the
President. in taking the problem out of
the hands OF Congress, studiousIy /
avoided any reference to the crucial
point of difference Russia will learn, !
however. when the new treaty is being
negotiated, that we insist upon recog- |
milton OF the American passport I'M
viscd by any Russian official in this !
country. Those who negotiate the next
convention will fall far short of ap-
prcciating public sentiment in this
country if they fail to insist upon full
recognition OF all American citizens by
he Russian government.
This must be the outcome OF the
whole matter. The American people
will not be satisfied with less.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
Uncle Walt Says Today:

The good Queen Bess in great distress beeld puddle in her
way She stopped and sighed Great Sco she CRIED I get all
spashed with mud and cayP And then a
AN OLD STORY boke took off his cloak and threw his
sovereign's feet; and so she trod dry
sod and went kerwhoopng down the That valiant knight
who her plight and acted Johnnie the spot by that small
game lasting fame and embaed poets thousand
jays their ways that morning. doing useful things they
moved their grass like menaa poet of their labor sngs
They pushed their pows and MIXED their and dug their
wells and planted trees Tyre is hit throws t emban
ing aboers like these They had their day and passed away and
sleep unknown graves The poet writes of cheap john
knights and DER foolish action It's still the same
hand fame and Doodle the and oe
poor unsung obscure, cough when they'd advertise
csor1ss, rgu b, srrv. M.thsc~ AdauA) WALT Mason.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.
Federation of Labor In
Nites Full Investigation.

From the American Fedsrationist.
We have nothing to hide We are
ready at any time for the agents of the
law to begin investigating. Files, records
OF all kinds, account books-everything in
documentary shape is open to them. All
that has been printed, or spoken. or writ
ten to our correspondents is subject to
their inquiries. Every act of every Off
cial may be freely looked into No one
is going to dodge or run away. Whatever
can be done to aid the law will be done
at these offices.
This is our reply at headquarters Of
the American Federation Of Labor to the
Clamor to get at the men higher up"
to the repeated announcements in the
press of "a nationwide investigation by
Federal officials" to the assertions that
behind the McNamaras were men stand
ing high in the councils of labor
How to make our language on this point
more sweeping we do not know. We
could not do it in columns or pages. We
therefore consider the point disposed of,
iE SO far as 1t relates to our attitude
regarding the investigation for which
seine men are calling.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
CHRISTMAS WEEK STORIES

out is being kept for merchants who dis
play dressed poultry on open stands with
no protection from the impurities of the
surrounding atmosphere. Nine merchants
have already been arraigned in Police
Court and fined.
All poultry which shows the least I'M
soundness is being condemned.
Tiny Birds for Blind Actress.
Yonkers, Dec. 19.-Among the many
Christmas gifts received this week by
Clara Morris, the former actress, who is
blind and confined to her bed at her home
here. are twenty tiny strawberry finches,
which were sent to her from Japan by
Baron Uchida, former Ambassador to the
United States.
Baron Uchida was A great admirer of
Miss Morris when she was on the stage
and knew OF her fondness for birds. The
finches always break forth in song as
night falls, and these evening concerts
are a source of much enjoyment to khe
afflicted woman.
Miss Morris can discern between dark
ness and light. but otherwise she contin-
ues to be blind. No one is allowed to see
her.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
Wheat on Down Grade.

What spectators call alarming re-
ports" are coming out OF the chief
wheat-producing centers and from Chi
cago, the principal center of activity
in the futures of this cereal. 1t ap-
pears that the wheat crop of 1911 is
not only very large but that in market
reports prior to the last few weeks it
has been much underestimated 1t
seems that a systematic effort has been
made to keep up prices by false report
ing of the actual crop, and now that
the grain is coming to market in almost
unprecedented streams the condition is
designated as alarming"
The situation Is interesting. both on
the speculative side and on the side of
the real market. For more than a year
a cotcrie of brokers in Chicago, led nv
a daring operator named Lichstcin. has
been long on wheat. This band of
brokers has sustained severe losses.
which individuals have been able to
make good in part by forcing sudden
changes in prices, thus giving opportu-
nifty for scalping operations. Just when
the crowd will grow tired of holding
long wheat in the face of glutted mar
ket of real grain is an interesting ques-
ton, and spectators are expecting al
most any day to hear that Lichstein has
thrown up the sponge, which would nat
nrally be the signal for complete de-
moralization of the speculative market.
The wheat market, meaning the actual
sale and purchase of the grain, is in
an equally uncertain position. Not for
many years has so much wheat been
pressing for sale as this month. At
Winnipeg the arrivals are 500 and Goo
cars day. In Chicago, elevators are
full, and train loads of grain have been
temporarily piled in the streets until
storage room could be found. In the
Dakotas. in Minnesota. and at several
points in Canada the police have been
called out to keep order among the farm
ers riotously demanding cars to ship
their grain. At one shipping point il
is reported that the agent has a thou
sand names on the waiting list for cars
in which TO ship wheat The crop is
being rushed forward to Montreal and
10 the Atlantic ports to await shipment
TO foreign markets And in the face
Of this large production in North Amer
lea is the statement of very large acre
ages in South America, which viii bring |
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
Only a Few DAYS Left.

Only few days remain in which to
complete your Christmas shopping. Ii
You have omitted some purchases, do
not delay. Finish the work this MORN
ing or this afternoon, and then. with a
clear conscience and happy spirit, wait
for the coming of Christmas
There is nothing more annoying than
the arrival of Christmas Eve with shop
ping vet to be done. 1t is uncharitablc
toward the tired clerks. and it disturbs
your own peace of soul.
Get busy to-day!
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20

a big output of grain from that source
after the harvest.
The encouraging feature of the stu
alton is that the price of -four and prod
uctS made from wheat cannot long hold
up against the drop i'll wheat. In the
plethora of grain the consumer is to
have brief respite, while the producer
takes less for his output And this
means much to the hordes of people
who have to be fed in this country and
Europe
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
TALKS CHARACTER BUILDING.
DIR. Davidson Delivers Lecture BE.
fore HfstricaI Association.

DR.. William NJ. Davidson. superiHtSnd-
ent of public schools, delivered a lecture
on the Problem Of the school" before
the Bethel Literary and Historical Asso-
citation, at the Metropolitan A. NJ. E.
Church, Sixteenth and NJ streets, last
night.
DR.. Davidson spoke on character build
ing and training for future citizenship Of
the scholars of the public schools.
The ideals OF yesterday make the citl.
Zens of to-day" he said. land the ideals
of to-day will make the citizens Of to-
morrow" DR.. Davidson showed by his
tory how these principles of ethics work
ed out. He outlined the homely vir.
tues which have been the foundation in
the character of the common people of
all great nations.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20

Children Of the married men in Com
pany and children of the post and
battalion STAFF noncommissioned off,
GERS were entertained at a Christmas
tree party given yesterday at the
Washington Barracks by Mrs wig
more, wife of Capt. WigmUre, of the
Coast Artillery. Mrs. Wigmore was
assisted by Mrs. RutherforC. Several
rooms at the Wigmore quarters were
turned over to the children and every
child was given a present from the
giant tree.
Among the children who attended
the Christmas tree party were: Fred
erick, Alice, and William Kreuter;
Mabel Bowe, Ethel Hamill, Nora Rob-
ert Herbert, and Alice Mould, Loria
Gurvine, Helen, Jack, and Mary White;
Gertrude, Veronica, and Joseph Whit
ermeyer: Agnes Wagner James, Will
lam. and Joseph McNally; Maurice and
Minnie Breim, Helen, james, and Eve
Ign Houston, and Phillis and William
Baugert.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20
Firemen,s Good Advice.

Officials OF the fire department have
given out some good advice, which. If
followed closely, will prevent any acct
dents TO mar the pervasIve spirit of
Christmas. Now, first of all. says an
official, Santa Claus should take care to
wear an asbestos beard. Next, fireproof
snow should be used in the Christmas
tree gardens. Candles should never be
lighted on a tree, he adds, and precaution
should be taken to prevent short circuits
If the tree is lighted by electricity.
Cotton should not be used in decorat-
ing tree" he continues. IF it is neces-
sary to have imitation snow, use snow
made Of asbestos. The effect and the
cost are Just about the same. Asbestos
is one of the best safeguards against
fire"
The Washington herald., 1911-12-20

Youngsters may blow horns. il they
are not of gigantic size, but they must
not be blown in the faces Of pedestrians,
in department stores, or on the sidewalks.
Maj. Sylvester has instructed the police
of the city to enforce this order strictly
He explains that these orders are issued
not to discourage the spirit of Yuletide,
but to make possible real enjoyment. The
rights of others must be respected to
make Christmas a success, according to
the superintendent of police.