davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
BOOK LENDING AND LENDERS.

DOch m ~ ~ " - 49, '~'f-'
4 co-operative movement is on foot
against book borrowers. The League
against book lending has been formed
in France by Messrs. Paul RebouX and
Rene Blum. It's ambition is to be inter
national. Persons subscribing to it Will
receive a card to hang up on their book
cases certifying to their membership and
informing every one who may have de-
signs upon their libraries that they have
entered into a solemn agreement not TO
lend their books. ANY one who thinks
that his backbone will he strengthened
BY a piece of pasteboard should hasten
to subscribe.
AIessrS. Reboux and Blum seem 70
have another interest in suppressing the
borrower than that Of the ordinary
owner of a modest shelf of two favorite
volumes, for they say that every bor-
ROVER may be considered as one buyer
less, while every would-be borrower TO
whom we refuse our books may be a
buyer gained" That is a consequence
which would strike only an author. The
mere owner of books would think chiefly
Of the depredations committed by bor-
rowers, the missing volumes, the defec-
tive SETS the holes upon the shelves, the
foul gaps here and there, like great
eyetooth knocked out" as Lamb said,
and they would care little about the eff
feet upon sales and royalties.
But so much had been said in con-
of book borrowers before men
began to band themselves together for
against them that it is only
fair to utter a word against one class
OF owners-we mean those tactless per-
sons who insist upon lending their books.
They have read something which pleased
them, and nothing will do but they must
thrust it upon you with the urgent rec
ommendatiOn that you, too, read it.
Usually you know with opening the COW
ers that it is not TO your taste. Time
spent upon it you are certain would be
time wasted 70 carry il home is to
make a packhOrse Of yourself for moth
ing You try to forget the book upon
leaving. but the owners eye takes in
yerything-eXcept what Is going on I'm
your mlnd-and he hunts it up and
presses It upon you again at the door.
And so you take the load away, de-
pressed moreover, with the certainty OF
being asked more than once if you did
not find the book all that your friend
told you It was.
If only these lenders Of books could
be induced to join Messrs. Reboux and
Blum's league, For now there is no
defence against them. Never to return
the books thus forced upon you is inap-
propriate to the situation. TO do this
is to load your own shelves with books
YOU d. not want where they will stand
stupid and accusatory. a reflection upon
your own taste and judgment among
those who do not know their history.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
PRIMARY LAW CHANGES.

Apparently Senator Franklin -.
Roosevelt has got the insurgency habit
incuraby. Nobody hut Thoroughbred.
irreconcilable insurgcnt would have been
so harsh with the established order of
things political rs he was I'm his speech
at Buffalo. He declares that Murphy
must go but refuses TO be content with
that. All Of MurphyS kind in Democ-
racy must 90, and the Republican party
ought 10 clean out It's "Old guard" also
in his opinion In short, there should
be new deal in the political game in
which the cards should not be stacked
and the players should be square.
\ years experience with MurphyiSm
at Albany has given Senator Roosevelt
an adequate idea of the difficulties Of ac-
complishing all this under the existing
political system. For that reason he
deems a workable direct primary law
one not drawn in the interest Of the boss
IA requisite Of first Importance i'm the
political housecleaning and has pledged
himself TO do his best TO amend the
Murphy-DiX law in several important
features. He would change it so that
state committeeman would have TO be
elected i'm New York City at the coming
spring primaries Murphy had this city
exempted from the law in that respect.
so that he could retain his control Of the
Democratic State Committee without
making a fight Senator Roosevelt also
would forbid political committees TO use
party funds in nominating and conduct
ing the primary campaigns Of their ''or-
ganizatiOn' candidates, and would de-
priye the organization or boss's ori-
mary ticket, Of the right e. use the party
emblem. These were other features
which Murphy had put into the law.
Senator Roosevelt would have a candi-
dates name on the primary ballot as
often as he might be nominated by
groups OF party members. Its restriction
To- one place is feature Of the Afurphv-
Dix primary law borrowed from Muir
phys notorious election law, which the
Court of Appeals declared unconstitu-
tioGal in this respect
Though an "insurgent' ANA re
former Senator Roosevelt is OF fairly
practical mind He believes the voters
of both big political parties are tired Of
the Murphy type OF boss, indeed, of any
brand OF political leader except the kind
they have a chance 20 choose i'm their
party councils BY these amendments
he would put the primary machinery into
such shape that the voters could operate
If about as we'll as the professional poll
ticans The law would not be perfect
but II would be workable. And after
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
PEOPLE and Social Incidents

Stanton, Va. for their daughters, Ms,
Margaret Strother Smith and Miss France,
EGinger, who are cousins and debutantss
lands accommodated the two hundred
dancers, and Christmas greens, poinsettias
and other blossoms and berries formed Tn,
decorations. For the four dances with
fancy figures the favors were taken from
the big Christmas tree in one corner OF ths
largest ballroom The tree also contained
gifts for every one.
Another sprightly dance was that at Ths
Playhouse, where the fifty young peopls
forming the Monday night dancing class
made merry. There was a Christmas tr.s
there, with gifts for all the members and
their friends. while The Playhouse was a
bower OF green and red. The guests In.
cluded Mr.. and Mrs. Preston Gibson, Mr.
and Mrs. Henri de Sibour, Mr.. and Mrs
John +. wilkins, Mr.. and Mrs. Z. A.
Mitchell. Mr.. and Mrs. George Howard,
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Letter. Mr.. and Mrs.
Hugh Legare, John Barrett and others.
The Ambassador - Great Britain and Mrs.
Whitelaw Reid will arrive In Washinton
early in January. Alr. and Mrs. William
j. Boardman will entertain them on Jsnu-
airy 10. Mrs. Richard II. Townsend will
give y dinner in their honor on January
Mr.. and Mrs. Alexander r. Msgruder
gave their annual Christmas tea this after.
noon. their guests OF honor being Captain
and Mrs. l.. Mason Gulick. Assisting Mrs
Magruder were Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs
Horace Westcott, Mrs. Biddle, Mrs. Crabbs
Miss Elizabeth Reid Rogers and Mia,
Eleanor Reyburn.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
that. if the voters suffered long under
the Murphy brand of bossism. IT would
be their own fault.
CTrRl AND SPAIN.

There seems 10 be no reason why the
prospect Of treaty of commerce be-
tween Cuba and Spain should not be re-
gardcd i'm this country with approval
ana even with qualification. 1t is said
that the proposed convention does not
i'm any way clash with the existing rela-
tions between Cuba and America. That
should he a matter Of course. since it Is
obvious that any such interference would
be Il violation of Cuba's obligations, OF
which we could not suspect that country
of being guilty, and an invasion Of our
indisputable rights which we could not
tolerate The relationship of this cOun-
try TO Cuba which was foreshadowed in
1898, which was made explicit Ill 1910
and which since 1898 has been reaf-
firmed and specialized in the most formal
and explicit manner, is not TO be abro-
gated or impaired.
Outside of the limits thus indicated.
however it is not only proper but highly
desirable for Cuba TO enter into suitable
and profitable treaty relations with other
nations, and particularly with Spain. 1t
must be remembered that Cuba IS in
race. speech and spirit, and i'm the clos
est of social and personal ties, Spanish
country. IT will never return to Span
iSh allegiance, but ii may and it should
cultivate social and commercial intimacy
with what is TO it the mother country,
for the direct Benefit of both Cuba's
need of immigration may adyantageOusly
be supplied from Spain with such fine
specimens of intelligent physical elf
cheney az have served this country so
we'll at Panama. Spain has no colonies
Of her own which offer attractive fields
for settlement, and in the lack Of them
she may better direct her surplus popu-
latiOn 10 Cuba than TO some less favor
able and less friendly land.
The negotiation Of the treaty will also
serve TO mark the healing Of the wounds
Of 1898 and the complete acceptance by
Spain of the accomplished and irravo-
cable facts The long refusal Of Austria
Hungary to enter into relations with
Mexico and the reluctance of Colombia
10 make treaty with Panama are cN-
amples of what ought not to be among
nations. In the former case the bitter
and aversion of years have
at last been abated. In the latter we
must continue TO wait and hope. But it
will be grateful to know that a similar
is not In any respect to he
between Cuba and Spain.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
Ar THE WHITE HOUSE.
From The Tribune Bureau


u.,.tt,,ton noe 25-The President re-
ceived no visitors to-day. lie renlaineu ~
his office only short time, signing oo''
ness letters and Christmas messages du"
looking over large number of greetinsS
from friends all over the world.
Official reports Of the condition OF CharIs'
w Morse received by the White House
to-day are entirely at variance Win 'ho'o
which have gained widespread circuIatloii.
Morse's condition Is no worse ana un''
there IS some change in that dre0uoi'
President Taft will not consider any apph-
cation for a pardon.
well paying Photographic proposiuo"'
in which the President has been shown
shaking hands with all Of the photogra-
pher's patrons-in other words, rake
reception-has been ordered discontinued
by the White House on the ground that III
divlduals and organizations are using the
photographs for advertising purposes
Fake" pictures representing the President
receiving patent medicines have been "iue-
~ circulated For this reason the max
ing of these composite pictures has been
prohibited.
Among the presents received by the Pres
ident to-day was beautifully bound copy
of "The Book of job" Accompanying IL
was a small card on which was written
Life OF d gentleman who passed through
many trials and trlbulations before he came
into his own"
While 10 elaborate preparations were
made for Christmas Day either by the
President or Mrs Taft. it was made event
ful by informal calls and constant
stream OF good wishes and gifts from their
friends.
The President and Mrs. Taft and their
three children. Miss Taft. Robert Taft ano
Charles Taft; their one house guest, Nane
Jones' a school friend Of Robert Taft ana
Mr.. and Mrs william Collins Heron, the
brother and sister-in-law Of Mrs. Taft,
enioycd their Christmas dinner without
other guests. Just after breakfast this
morning the family found their larger gifts
waiting for them in the library on the sec-
oEd floor. while the smaller gifts were dis
tributed in the good old-fashioned way
through the medium Of a stocking for each'
Mrs Taft attended service at ST. John
Church alone. walking to and from the
White House through Lafayette Square All
of the Younger members Of the household
exchanged visits with the young people oi
the Cabinet and other friends. Many gifts
some plain and wholesome and others
handsome and costly, were sent 70 the
President ard Mrs Taft. While the gifts
TO the children were we'll chosen but in
expensive.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
COMPENSATION BY AIIENDHENT.

COMPENSATION BY AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Francis Lynde Stetson is right in
holding that any amendment to the
state constitution opening the way TO a
workingmens compensation law should
be free from disputatiOus provisions.
Public opinion seems to be prepared for
such legislation. Recognition of its JUS
tice has been prompt. There is no rea-
son why properly prepared amendment
should not be accepted at this session
Of the Legislature, which would make
its adoption possible in the fall election
OF 1913, provided, as Mr.. StetsOn urges,
the amendment is confined strictly to the
business in hand. 70 confine it strictly
to that business will require a vigorous
assertion Of public opinion, for a mOdi-
ficatiOn Of the provision Of the cOnsti-
tuition which fOrbids taking property
without due process Of law will be full
of temptation to many. That require
ment stands in the way of various
schemes which appeal to sentimentalists
and idealiSts, and when the way is
opened for a wOrkingmen'S compenSa-
tion law an attempt will be made in
many quarters to widen the breach just
enough TO let in some other things. TO
do this however, would make the
amendment the subject of debate and
contention, endangering its passage if
not actually defeating il. BY making
the exception 10 the due process of law
provision in the constitution apply eX-
plictly 10 workingmcn'S compensation
legislation it will be possible to open the
way for Just that and nothing more.
If this is done. the injustice of the
present system may be promptly cured.
An amendment 10 the constitution is
the best method in this state The de
CiSion Of the Court Of Appeals holding
the Wainwright compensation law un-
constitutional bars the way eifectually
tD anything but some such device as
that adopted i'm New jersey and Mas
Sachusetts. which provides for compen-
SdtiOn unless employers and employees
otherwise contract. and then removes as
many inducements rs possible to the en-
ployer 10 require such contracts of his
working people by ablOgating the chief
defenceS which have been the reliance
Of employers in accident suits under the
present system. 70 adopt that method
here in preference To amending the con-
siitutiOn would be to use Il doubtful
instead of "A certain means TO the end.
The best that can be said for the Mas
that they afford the most hopeful means
toward industrial justice possible under
present state constitutions as they are
interpreted by the courts. Just how
much practical utility there is In these
statutes has not yet been demonstrated.
Moreover, although the Massachusetts
law has been held constitutional in that
state, it is not certain that a similar
law would be sustained in New York.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
GIoRDANo FOR HARTFORD
1.-The Alteration of the Magi Given 7"
Morgan Memorial.

Hartford. Conn, Dec. 2o.-ine az
Iarv of the Morgan Memorial of the "~,s
worth Atheneum was enriched TO-DAY ~
tho oft Of a painting. THE Adorauon v
the Magi," from the brush oi L"0~ ,.S,,.o
dano. one of the last of the great i'a~ r,s.
school of painters. who died n I'00. g.
eiver is Herbert Randall, Of TINS cl'''. -
memory OF his wife, Alice T.. Sa"'ehe' IN
Artists who have studied the canvas ~
il rare piece of ccloring. MT h1l.s
rescued the painting from obscurity uu'I !.
the tearing down OF an old oui'uhS
which il had lain neglected for nearly nan
8 century. George II. Story curap'
emeritus of the Metropolitan Muso
Art. later examined the Work ''O
trlbuted It 20 Giordano.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY
LFrom The Tribune Bureau.

LFrom The Tribune Bureau.
Washington, Dec 25.-One of the most de-
llghtful Christmas parties entertained to-
day was that at the home Of Representa-
tive apd Mrs. Martin w. Littleton who
received the House delegations from New
York. Tennessee and Texas The Little
tons old-fashioned house, in Calumet Place,
was aglow with Christmas cheer. Receiv-
ing with Mr.. and Mrs Iittleton was
Thomas Jefferson Littleton, of Kingston,
Tenn, the father OF the former In the
afternoon there was an interesting musical
programme. Thomas Jefferson Littleton,
over eighty years old, assisted Senator
Taylor, Douglas Littleton and others IN
giving impromptu violin numbers, with
suitable accompaniment.
Christmas trees were lighted in many
homes to-day. and hospitality was spread
plenteously for the student visitors IN
Washington. The largest dance of the
evening was that given by Captain w.
Strother Smith, l. 5. ~, and Mrs Smith
and Mr.. and Mrs. John F. Efinger, Of
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
THE FATE or PERSIA.

The interesting interview with the
former Shah OF Persia which was trans
mittcd 10 The Tribune Of Sunday by our
special correspondent at Constantinople
exhibited in a particularly clear and con
vlncing light the fate which Is impend-
ing for the empire Of Iran and the mo-
tiyes which have led 10 Russia's demand
for the dismissal Of the honest and com
petent treasurer general. 1t was signih-
cant 10 the appreciativc mind that the
dcthroned deSpOt was garbed like a Rus
sian and had a whip in his hand for the
purport Of his statement Of facts and Of
his expressions of opinion was that Per
sia is 10 be Russianized 10y the methods
Of the COSsacks.
This pretendcr 10 the throne made no
secret of the fact that while he was in
exile in Russia he kept constantly i'm
touch with affairs AT Teheran through
secret agents and conspirators He made
1t sufficiently evident, too. that he had
enjoyed the assistance Of Russian agents,
and the inference is inevitable, both from
his remarks 8nL from the fact of his
easy passage from Russia into Persia
that the Russian government winked a.
If II did not actually assist his schemes
But tho gist Of the whole matter lies IN
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In your issue of December - J was
considerably surprised TO read the following
criticism of the recent performance or
Arthur Friedheim at the List centenary !:
"The programme was composed of music
three-fourths Of which was unfamiliar to
even veteran concertgoers in New York,
and the remaining one-fourth to a large
fraction of the audience. If a judgment may
he based on the enthusiasm with which a
very mediocre performance Of the second
pianoforte concerto. the solo part played by
Arthur Friedhelm, was received"
To say the least I do not think that
your critic did justice to Mr.. Friedheim
and Judging from the plaudits and the six
ercores. if they were 10 be accepted as
criterion emanating from a critical audi
ence. his rendition was far from mediocre
As a matter Of fact, have never heard Mr.
Friedheim with greater expression, more
perfect phrasing and brilliant technique
than on this occasion. Even II he did select
connparatively unknown works of this great
composer It in no way detracted from the
enjoyment Of the listeners but rather 1t az
forded them a treat with those works that
have hitherto been buried by the mass OF
his other productions. and which are truly
tvpicaI of List 7 have the highest re-
spect for your critics opinions on all mat
ters musical and believe that in writing the
foregoing he was actuated by only the high
est motives, but l think his seat must have
been behind a post or in some part or the
auditorium where he failed IN get the full
benefit Of Mr.. F'riedheim's masterly rendi-
tions Of the works Of this great composer
WILLIAM n TYLER.
New York. Dec %, 1911.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
THE ORIG5ViL PlCK4GE AGAIN

THE ORiGiViL PACKAGE AGAIN.
Senator Kenyon Of Iowa. has under
taken The difficult task OF drafting a
bill intended To prevent shipments of
liquors. from n0n-prohibition into prohi-
billion states and yet not clash with the
right of citizen Of any state 10 engage
freely in Interstate commerce The
authorities Of prohibition states com
plain bitterly that their state laws are
partly nullifed by the free entry with
in their boundaries Of liquors i'm the
original package Yet so long as the
shipper has the constitutional right 10
forward and the consicnee the cOnstim-
tional right 70 receive recognized com
modify il is hard 10 see how the state
can acquire the power 10 step in and
penaliZe the transaction
\ state which cndeayOrS To enforce
prohibition has TO depend largely upon
the comfy Of its neiglbors for suppress
ing the sale OF liquors OF outsiders 10 its
own citizens. If ful-blown ideals Of
courtesy were observed each state would
seek TO conform its laws TO those of the
states in its neighborhood If one com
mOnwealth were TO decide to be dry 1t
might hopefully request the adjoining
states 10 try the prohibition experiment
also. Yet the same rule Of comfy would
compel IT to try to pattern its own laws
after those Of the vicinage Where there
are many wills as there are in our fed
crate system, there must be many ways
and apart from mutual Difference ana
c0nciliatiOn there seems 10 be no means
OF harmOnizing the desire Of one state
TO exclude liquor shipments with the
right Of the people Of an adjoining state
10 make such shipments to bona lde con-
signeeS across the state line under the
protection Of the interstate commerce
clause Of the federal Constitution.
Most persons will be inclined to sym
pathiZe with the desire OF a prohibition
state 10 enforce its domestic policy 10
the fullest possible extent. 1t ought GER
tainly 10 have a free band 10 terminate
the sale Of liquor within its own bOun-
diaries Yet in dealing with its own cU
zens II cannot get away from the fact
that they are also citizens Of the United
States. and as such entitled 10 engage ia
interstate commerce and to import
liquors for their own use 4 state does
NOT Try 10 punish the drinking of liquor
hut only It's manufacture and sale The
prohibition policy cannot easily be sol
hroadened as 10 infringe upon the
superior federal right Of unrestricted iD-
fersrafe commerce IT. 6eld is rather
q making the retailing Of liquor impos.
sible. FOR from that trade most Of the
evils dow which prohibition aims 10
suppress. The man VINO can ship in 2
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26

case Of liquors for his personal use is
not a dangerous enemy of order. The
real enemy is the local dealer who sells
at retail and makes his saloon breed
ing place of poverty and crime.
Mr. Kenyon's bill is commendable in
so far as it embodes protest against
what the prohibition states have found
TO be an Inconvenience and discour-
tesy. But it is doubtful whether those
states have anything practical to gain
through an effort TO annul by legislation
the effect of the Supreme Courts Ongi-
nal package edict. If a state succeeds
in enforcing prohibition within It's own
boundaries for a considerable period Of
time the original package problem Will
certainly take care Of itself.
New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
TIE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
fTrom The Tribune Bureau. J

~ rom Alc 4tlDA4tS DuA~e-A' ,
Washington, Dec Good old English
hospitality was extended at the British En-
bassy tonight, the Ambassador and Mrs.
Bryce entertaining the members of the en-
bassy staff at dinner.
A Christmas dinner, with all sorts Of
pleasing Innovations both In the menu ana
in the service. was that at the Persian Lee
cation, where the Charge d'Affaires and
Nine. Ali Kuli Khan were hosts. Thsi'
guests Of honor were Mr.. and Mrs. William
Morgan Shuster. and their house guests
were Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Seegar'
of Philadelphia, and Charles T. Seegar. OF
New York. Others Of their party were
Mira Ali-Akbar Khan, recently appointed
secretary to All Kuli Khan; Mozasser ed
Dine Khan and Self ed Dino Khan, who
came from their school in Pennsylvania;
Mira Hassein Khan, Mira Sotan Mahmod
and Halt Ali.
The Danish Minister and Countess Moltke
had a Christmas tree for their little son,
Paul Moltke, inviting few OF his young
friends to enjoy II with him.
Lieutenant Commander Boyd has been az
pointed German naval attache, to succeed
Commander RetZmann