davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
VIZ. FOX'S LETTER.

In bis letter 10 the chairman of the
Assembly Judiciary Committee. which
We quote in another column of this issue.
Mr.. Austen G. Fox calls attention 10
some Of the misleading suggestions OF
Governor DiX's recent argument in favor
of the ratification without change
of the pending income tax amendment
To- the federal Constitution. Mr.. Fox
makes the point that the Governor in his
discussion of the effects of a tax on in
come derived from state securities has
arbitrarily assumed that the rate levied
will not be over > per cent. But that Is
Il mere guess: for Congress will be en-
powered TO levy any rate which il holds
t. be necessary 10 produce desired
amount Of revenue I'm war times The
rates started nj > per cent for the low
est grade Of income and 10 per cent for
the highest. and were increased subse-
quently 10 10 per cent for the lowest and
IL per cent for the highest. If an at
tempt should be made under the pro-
visions Of the pending amendment to
collect large share Of the governments
annual revenue-say. S1OO.Oo0OOO 10
$l5D.ooo.0oo-the rates would have TO be
at least . 10 10 per cent instead Of .
Another pertinent point made by Mr.
Fox is that this state has given a guar
antee against taxation on the securities
which 1t has sold 10 the public II has
waived It's own right 10 tax them and
has depended upon the decisions Of the
supreme Court 10 protect them from
federal taxation. Why should il APP
prove an amendment which would have
the effect of multiplying the exemption. so
far as the federal government is con-
ccrned, since the result of that action
would inevitably be to make its own
securities less valuable and to disappoint
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
PEOPLE and Social incidents
AT THE WHITE HOUSE,
from The Tribune Bureau J

washington. Nav 27-The President teie.
c,,nhed Senior de la PARA, Provisioha'
pr.s,d.nt NJ Mexico. to-day: II extend 10
,ur excerency my hearty congratulations
unon your elevation TO the Chier MASS
tracy of the Republic OF Mexico con'''e -,
,ba. YOUR conduct OF the high once VIII
conduce TO the peace and welfare OF Me"'.o
and 10 the happiness and prosperity Oh III.
Mexican people" This message was sem
~ tho new President following the receipt
nv the State Department OF onciai MUS
from the Mexican government through ''
embassy in Washington from the American
Ambassador I'm Mexico City. saying that
sesor de Ia Barra had been sworn IN as
Provisional President
Charles William Burrows, president anu
George T. Mcintosh, secretary. or the Ma
,ional One Cent Letter Postage Association
and Thomas A. Fernley. secretary OF the
National Association Of Wrought Pipe FIT
tirgs Jobbers, of Philadelphia, urseo ti'e
President 10 use his influence In bringing
about one cent postage The president re-
ferred his callers TO the Postmaster cen
oral and Associate Justice Hughes, WHO 10
a member of the Postal Commission.
President Taft's support OF the sulzer
resolution providing for the aorogatioh Vi
tho treaty of 1892 with Russia was so
licited by 3. Frank. Of ST. Louis, repre-
senting various fraternal organizations III
Guiding the Progressive Order OF the west
whose membership numbers hundred
thousand.
The President sent telegram TO James
Pae president of the Iowa City Hlsn
School, congratulating the team OF ina.
school on winning the interscholastlc ana
intercollegiate rife shooting championship
President Taft was invited TO spend MS
summer al Geiger. Ala. in home IN the
heart of the black prairie belt or Alabama
with a view Of flowers. sunshine, plenty
and contentment." Senator Jones mas put
in Washington's bid for the summer White
House to be on an island in Puget Sound
and Representative Hawley' wants the
President 10 spend the summer near his
camp in the Rocky Mountains. which is
near soda spring, forty miles from any
railroad.
Among the White House callers were the
Secretary OF the Interior. Assistant Score
tary Wilson. Justice Day. Charles II. Sher-
rin American Minister 10 the Argentine
Republic: Senators Gore, Jones. Bacon ana
Townsend and Representative Ames. Coop
er. Connel. Underwood. Hughes. Greene.
Rurleson. Doremus. Mcguire and Lamb
The President and Major Butt played
golf at Chevy Chase this afternoon.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
NANLY CONEESED.

The Baltimore Sun" involved itself
IN a curious tangle of logic the other
day when il said. Election of Senators
"by direct vote should not be compli-
seated 10y any other question: and then
attacked for failing TO heed that good
advice the very Senators who are trying
10 make the issue simplified and uncom-
plicated our Baltimore contemporary
harshly criticiSes Mr.. BristOw. Of Kan.
sas. for attempting 10 limit the scope Of
the amendment 10 the Constitution in
tended 10 bring about the direct election
O. Senators to the single question. shall
Senators be chosen by the legislatures or
"by the people" He wants 10 reduce the
problem 20 its lowest terms and with
that purpose in view suggests that the
amendment change but a single word of
the Constitution. altering the first two
lines Of Section 3. Article /. 50 as TO
read: The Senate of the United
Estates shall be composed of two Sena-
"tors from each state. chosen by the
people thereof, for six years" the
word people" suppanting the word
legislatures"
No other change is necessary TO sub
stitute the direct method Of election for
the indirect. and The Sun" ought 10 be
among the first 10 congratulate Mr..
BristOw on eliminating all superfluities
and presenting the issue in its most
naked form. Instead it accuses him Of
Initiating the policy of "the enemies Of
the reform" at the last session. who
'loaded down" the Borah resolution with
the Sutherland amendment As The
Sun" describes II:
They secured the adoption Of an
amendment which threatened 10 upset
the election laws Of the South. giving 10
Congress the power to control federal
elections in the states, in which case il
might be able 10 put the ballot back
into the hands Of millions OF negroes
who do not now vote. This was not pro-
posed as a serious attempt 70 test the
constitutionality Of these laws. but was
merely q device 70 force Southern Sena
tors 70 vote against the resolution for
direct election
No diagnosis If the situation could
well 90 further astray The effect Of
the Sutherland amendment at the last
session WAS not TO Toad down" but 10
unload II struck out additional new
matter which Mr.. Borah and his follow
ers wanted 10 put into the Constitution,
multiplying so far as the Senate is con
cerned. the power vested in Congress 10
supervise the processes by which members
OF Congress are elected II could not
have Threatened 70 give Congress the
power 10 control federal elections in
"the states for it left the power Of
Congress over such elections untouched.
II added nothing and subtracted nothing,
simply retaining the present wording Of
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
IIIA IEDR[NE!

/ NedrineS feat is noteworthy for its
practically as well as for its skill. it,
daring and its romantic interest. Others
/ have attained greater heights and
greater speed for a short distance. Some
/ have made longer fights over water.
| But when we consider all the elements Of
, the fight from Paris TO Madrid. the
varied conditions Of sea and land, of
plain and mountain. and the high aver
age rate Of speed which was maintained
in safety and with success. we must
reckon Vedrne's performance unSur-
passed. lie has put the latest gloss upon
the boast that there shall he no more
PyreneeS Crossing mountain ranges.
Contending with storms, fighting eagles,
he has well won his honOrs and rewards.
But the practical side Of the perform
ance is 10 us the most interesting and
the most significant. The fight was pre-.
ciSely such a one as might he desired for
practical business purposes. in time Of
war or cOnceivably in time Of peace. II
was not a mere doing stunts" above "A
the sensational and the useless. The
greater part Of the time the aviator was
entirely ont of sight of the people who
would have applauded him. hidden away
I in the vast soltudes Of the clouds and
SUnlit spaces of the upper air. He was
| like q courier from a beeaguered city.
who for the greater part of his fight
shunS rather than seeks observation. He
demonstrated the possibility. not Of es-
tablishing an aerOplane passenger and
freight service to compete with railroads.
| but Of making on occasion n 'crOss-cpln-
| try fight Of hundreds of miles. at high
speed. The occasions when such fight
will. be necessary or desirable may be
/ few and far between. bur when they do
occur their urgency may be tremendous
| France still mourns the tragedy which
marked the beginning Of this daring
essay. and the circumstance is 10 be re-
membered along with the rejoicings over
| Vedrines safety and success There
was grave peril at the start. and grave
peril all the way. and il will not be wise
fdr men 10 incur such perils for them.
selves and for others lightly and for
trifiing purposes. II would be unfortu-
nate If Vedrine's fight should move a
host Of irresponsible and incompetent
imitatOrs to essay similar fights and
thus 10 imperil their lives and the lives
OF others. But as a demonstration Of the
possibilities Of practical aviation and as
an incentive 10 the most practical pos
sible development Of this newfound
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
TO STOP INCUBATOR SHOWS
President Lindsay of S. P. G. G
Would Send Babies to Hospitals.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: That the infants who were on ex-
hiblticn In the Dreamland incubators were
not sacrificed In the fire which destroyed
that resort is n mere chance The conha-
grafton which began during the night. less
than hundred feet away. might just as
well have originated In the flmsy building
in which the incubators we're located
our society has already invited the at
tention Of the Legislature 10 the serious
ness Of the very conditions I'm bill. which
failed OF passage by the Legislature of
1905. and which is interesting AT this time.
II proposed an amendment 10 the then
email Code, follows:
The exhibition Of any infant or infants
Undergoing tho process Of artincial lncubd-
ton In any place OF amusement or public
resort. or In connection, directly or indi-
rcCtlN. with any amusement enterprise. Is
hereby prohibited and any person con
Ceined in any such exhibition is guilty OF a
misdemeanor
The sOciety's investigation convinced me
that the motive for the exhibit. which was
represented as charitable" was purely
mercenary. violating every principle Of
medical or professional ethics. It was 6
side show advertised by the pToprietors
OF the resort as one Of the attractions WITH
It's Shoot the Chutes." "Razze Dazzle"
and Monkey Theatre"
An attempt was made 10 institute similar
incubator shows In different parts Of the
country. but these did not succeed. owing
10 the popular indignation which resulted
from the announcement. and / trust that
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
AGREEMENT OF TESTIMONY
A Plea for Segregation of Witnesses
Before Examination in Court.
o the Editor OF The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
sir: AT trial held this week in the
Supreme Court in BROOKLYN three little
girls from twelve 70 thirteen years old
were the principal witnesses for the plain
tiff Their direct testimony agreed almost
verbatim and was given rapidly and with
the singing voice which children often use
when reciting. Ny impression was that
they did not sufficiently understand the
difference between a schoolroom and
trial room.
The first two girls remembered. more
than two years after an accident, all the
minute details. They told the fury that
while they were standing at the corner
and talking together. waiting for a street
car to pass. the car stopped, an elderly
woman stepped off. she set her right foot
on the ground first. then her left foot.
gentleman got of after her. then a young
woman set her right foot on the ground
while her left was still on the step of the
car, when the bell rang, the car started
distance Of two houses. The third girl
after telling the same story in practically
the same words. admitted on cross-exami-
nation that the first thing she saw of the
accident was the young woman being
dragged along by the car.
Serving on the jury IN the case, I was
surprised 20 find in the jury room that
eleven men could not be shaken in their
belief that the testimony Of the girls was
true because their stories were in agree
ment. The attorney for the defendant
railroad company had apparently expected
the jury TO view with due suspicion the
testimony given by the girls in exactly
the same words. Yet, although lawyers
are not likely TO believe such testimony
is such a simple way OF getting at the
facts that / can see no reason why our
laws should not compel its adoption
When about seventeen years old | was a
witness in a German court in an action OF
no greater importance than the one just
spoke about. Before the trial started all
witnesses were led 10 a room from which
it was impossible TO hear anything Of the
proceedings. When / was called to testify
the judge took pains TO explain first the
nature of an oath and the moral and legal
consequences Of perjury.
Why should such a procedure not he
followed I'm our courts? The idea Of sepa-
rating the witnesses. so they will not hear
one another's testimony. is as old as Dan
iels time and would be as useful in our
days as IN his The practice should be
compulsory F II.
New York Nav 26 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
PT-SSy1 YIELDS TO REASON.

III SNII 1ItLDN ~ hLASC''
The announcement Of Russia aban-
donment of her policy Of discriminating
against American Jews. which was made
in our Washington dispatches Of yester-
dav. is described by the Rev. DR.. Silver
man as almost too good 10 he true. IL
NAV also be regarded as entirely too
good not 10 he true There are reforms
which so strongly appeal 10 even the
most elemental sense OF reason and
equity that their adoption must he IN
irritable The Russian government has
resisted this one for a long time. but we
have never for a moment doubted that
il would ultimately ield L. the argt
ncnts Of our State Department, which
during a succession Of administrations
las pressed rho matter upon its atten-
ton with a blending Of patience. per
sistence and tact which has well ode
served the success which il now secures.
The achievement is a fine vindicaton
Of the cp,irSe Of President Taft and Sec
rotary Knox in resisting cOunsels OF
violence and maintaining diplomatic
negotiations instead Of precipitating
belligerent action. and il is equally a
rebuke Of the Incorporate clamOr which
has repeatedly and recently been raised
for reading the riot act TO Russia.
Entirely apart from considerations OF
courtesy and national dignity-whiCh
really should not be devoid Of weight,
even 10 town meeting diplomacy-it
must now ne quite obvious that. as we
some days ago suggested processes OF
argument and reason have practically
been more expeditions and effective than
those Of reprisals and attempted coer-
ciOn would have been. Only the other
dav gentlemen were declaring that diplo-
matte representations were futile. and
that nothing would bring Russia to book
but a summary severance Of treaty re-
! lations with her. We pointed out that
the latter course would be more likely
T. agcravate the evils Of which we were
complaining and 10 delay the reforms
which were desired. Now. with all prob
ability Of that violent course dismissed.
Russia has. in fact Yielded to diplomatic
representations.
In addition 10 being a great victory
for Nj Taft and Mr.. Knox. the achieve
ment is also q confirmation Of the gen
oral efficiency Of regular diplomatic ser
vices. as distinguished from bullying on
the one hand and special and extraordi-
nary processes on the other. As we
have already suggested. a violent course
would simply have provoked violence
and would have made the matter all the
worse. An appeal or an attempt to APP
peal the case 10 some special tribunal
would inevitably have resulted in much
delay. and probably in refusal to sub
nit il to such disposition But the es-
tablShed agencies Of international bar
gaining have proved competent and ac-
ceptabe. and the desired thing has been
/ done.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
SOME MEN ARE NOT CHEATS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In an article which appeared in The
Tribune OF May II Mayor Gaynor is re-
ported as citing. at a banquet Of the Civil
Service Reform Association. as an example
of Offices that should not have been placed
on the competitive list the Commissioner
ship OF Weights and Measures. He said he
had made an exhaustive study Of weights
and mea sures and saw that there was a
large and much needed reform In that d.
rection when he took Office. The Mayor Is
also quoted as saying that he never could
have got the man he wanted for that office
from the competitive list; that he found
there wasn't an honest weight or measure
or yard in the city. and that he made
something out Of n bureau that previously
had been considered OF no importance.
This was not the position the Mayor Of
New York ought TO take. He ought GER
talnly TO have qualified his remarks and
exempted some Of the grocers of New York
from the charge Of being a pack of thieves
There is no question that there are dis
honest men among them. but that does pot
Justify the Mayors assertion that when he
took office there was not an honest weight
or measure or yard in New York It Is
shame and disgrace 10 New York City 70
have such sweeping and erroneous asser-
ton made by its chief executive.
l.. J. CALLAHAN.
New York, May *. 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
A SUBWAY CkVEAT.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: | have studied the two propositions
now before the Board Of Estimate in rela-
ton 10 subways and | cannot see where
the offer made by the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company IS anything more than
al invitation for the city Of New York to
guarantee dividends on the present inflated
capital of that corporation What right
has the ci Of New York 10 make any such
agreement? A taxpayers suit would stop
any such use OF the public money. and in
tho mean time the whole subway question
would remain I'm the air, and New Workers
would be the losers
The way 10 give the pubic the relief de-
randed is for the city 10 make a contract
With some responsible corporation that Will
nut enough Of its own money into the en-
terprise to safeguard the city against ex-
hausting its credit
New York needs a few things besides
more subways. For example, contemplate
the wreck, havoc and financial disaster
that would follow in the wake OF a water
famine II this city was not prepared hnan-
c.ally 10 cope with such a situation should
we he so unfortunate. as now seems 10 be
the case as 10 have the water supply OF
New York reduced TO the danger point
New York city should keep on, Of all
stock iobbing schemes in connection with
It's subway building. The Board Of Estl-
mate had better watch out lest IL be made
the dupe OF one OF the most skilfully
manned stock market games that has ever
leen pulled OF. This is phase Of the
subway situation have not seen discussed
in the newspapers II might bear investi-
CATION. JAMES E. II. CLARK
New York. May Is, 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In a recent answer to a correspond
ent who complains Of the blocking of side
walks by builders you advise him 10 COM
plain 10 a city department. To use a
phrase which is. | am sorry TO say, only
too common in such Eases. What's the use?
II your correspondent will inspect the
new Parkville police station. Just COM
pleted. he will find a fine granite building
erected by the city. which covers not only
the building lot but all Of the courtyard
and a large part of the sidewalk. Several
prominent Brooklyn business concerns have
buildings IN the same street, none Of which
extend beyond the lot line. so the city
building stands a magnificent sample of
defiance of law, equity and decency Com
plants have been made again and again.
but the only response I know Of is an ac-
knowedgement that the steps are an in
cumbrance and must be removed; yet. like
Gilbert's celebrated police force, they
don't go"
So what's the Use? ". H PRICE
Brooklyn. May 8 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
THE CABINET.
From The Tribune Bureau.

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. May 27.-The new Secretary
o, War, Henry l.. Stimson, will come 10
Washington on Monday To assume his
duties.
Miss Helen Taft and a large party ~
young people were chaperoned on a river
trip this afternoon on the Dolphin by Mrs.
Meyer The party boarded the boat at
o'clock. and supper was given on board.
with music and dancing later. Mrs. Meyer
brought the young people hack 10 the capt
tai before midnight.
The Secretary Of the Int rior has taken
possession Of the house in Connecticut ave-
rue which was the home Of the former
Secretary Of War and Mrs. Dickinson.
Mrs. Fisher will remain in her Chicago
home until time 10 place her children in
Washington schools, when she will join
the Secretary here.
The Secretary Of Commerce and Labor
and Mrs Nagel have gone TO New York
for a visit of several days.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28

the just expectations Of those who PAID
for those securities on the understand
ing that the income from them was not
to be subjected to any taxation? why
should not the state try to preserve an
immunity specially valuable to ITSELF
even though II should be willing to agree
to give the federal government power TO
tax income other than that derived
as interest on state. county and munich
pal securities!
Mr.. Fox's letter deserves a careful
reading in the Assembly. which VIII
probably he called upon within few
days TO decide whether II is willing to
approve the pending income tax amend
ment in spite of its defects or try TO
eradicate those defects in the interest OF
our own and other state governments.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
THE DPFANIAND FIRE.

The later contradiction of an early re-
mort that those tiny stars Of Unique
amusement world. the incubator babes
had lost the lives they owed to modern
science is the silver lining Of the ciouu
Of Coney Islands latest and greatest
fire There is cause for further reJoc'
inc in the knowledge that no human
lives were lost AT all. but human COM
nassion goes out TO the dumb entertain
ers that persisted. most Of them by merci-
FIJI bullets. we are assured. but undouDt-
eddy not all
The flmsily 6Qif4 4yhy infammaole
Measure resort hA1 ben miraculously
lucky thus far in escaping holocaust IN
the course Of the many fires that have
marked its past. Thirteen Of them have
occurred since 1898, including yester-
DAVIS conflagration. Even the total de-
struction Of the old negro settlement on
Is outskirts. near Nortons Point, on the
right Of October Il. 1909, claimed no
victims. In the case of Coney Island II
appears that its amusements are more
dangerous TO human life than are It's
fires. Still. there is always the threat
eninc possibility, too awful 10 contem-
plate. The financial losses sustained
during these seventeen years amount 10
fully sS.O00.OO0.
Dreamland was justly named. 10
those who viewed II from without II
was a fairy palace set in the night or
New York's beautiful bay. bit Of Won
derland to gaze upon with ever renewed
appreciation from passing steamers ana
from the shores and hills of Staten Isl
and. its outlines rising in airy. graceful
lines and arches of light out of the dusk.
Those who entered its gates found II n
we'll ordered place Of harmless tinsel
and innocent frivOlity-a vast improve
ment on the amusements Of the old
Conev Island which il supplanted
Whether II will be rebuilt as a private
enterprise IS for the moment much in
doubt. but il would be a pity If no new
tower Of steel and electricity were TO
pernetuate IT'S name. As for the lesson
OF its destruction. that needs no COM
meni.