davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
CONTROLLINGPROFANITY ON
THE STAGE.

The eyes of the country are upon
New Eork's aldermen and the fate
they accord to Alderman J. J. Null
hearn's ordinance designed to make a
mIsdemeaner of swearing on the stage.
1t IS typical of a democratic form of
government that the solution of the
complex questions involved in such
a proposal should be left to an organ
ization of the mental caliber of the
chamber in which it is introduced,
rather than to the company of savants
who would probably find so much to
consider concerning it that they would
never make an end. Ignorance may
not always be bliss, but it frequently
results in action where learning marks
time.
The difficulty of the case is height
ened because it is so self-evident a
fact that the stage, hard put to it for
telling lines, does so frequently resort
to the profanity of the streets to avail
itself of the strange sense of humor
that finds that amusing in public
which in private life is merely vulgar
Only too often an oath is dragged in
bv the ears to make a Roman holiday
for the galleries. A law that would
stop this abuse of the idle repetition
of profane or blasphemous expressions
would meet with general public ap-
proval; the trouble is that under its
operation those comparatively rare in
stances in which the use of an oath is
necessitated by the proper develop
ment of the situation would be forced
to give way to sort of pink-tea en-
phasis out of character and out of
plumb with dramatic architecture.
There is much pother now, as al
ways, as to what an oath is, and when
it is. Ladylike CALCULATIONS at a broken
thread today are the fearsome OBJ
jurgations of yesterday. So-called
profanity is in many instances evil,
not in itself, but as custom makes it
SO. The proposed censor of "cuss
words" would have a hard time of it.
Nevertheless, the stage, as a mirror
of life and manners, should be true
glass. and when it is untrue to itself
in the use of profanity for purposes
of levity it ought to be condemned,
if possible, by the law. On the other
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
THINKS THIS BURGLAR
TOO TENDERLY TREATED

To the Editor of THE TINES:
Through the medium of The Washing
ton Times, I desire to direct the atten-
tion of the public, with a vigorous tone
of protest. to the gentle treatment ac-
corded self-confessed criminal at the
hands of one of our local tribunals. The
crime for which this favored individual
was tried on Wednesday last, was for
breaking and entering nine dwelling
houses and stealing therefrom articles
OF jewelry, etc, Of the value of $1,000
AS matter of fact, however, he entered
a greater number Of dwellings than that
stated, and the value of the property
stolen was far more than $1,000. Not
withstanding all this, and notwithstand-
ing the fact that many of the articles
stolen wera deliberately and maliciously
destroyed by the thief or so defaced by
him as to be rendered practically value
less to the owners when returned. this
burglar was handled with kid gloves"
by the Justice of one of our criminal
courts, and placed on parole.
The principal object of the imposition
Of punishment for crime is not the heap
ing of Goals. of fire on the head of the
retribution, so called; 1t is to serve as a
warning to others; to deter the man
with criminal instinct from the com
mission of crime and to safeguard the
public community and society In gem
eral. If a man were permitted, with
impunity, to ignore and disregard the
few restraints that the law imposes on
him, then organized society must soon
cease to exist, and, as In this case
If a self-confessed criminal to nine
charges of burglary is allowed to
go absolutely free. with the fmposi5
tion of no punishment whatever can n
be said that such an example will serve
to deter others from the commission of
similar crimes? No; 1t will rather serve
as an announcement of crime, and be-
fore long no one will feel safe in leaving
their homes unguarded. As 1t is, the
commission of crimes of this nature are
of such frequent occurrence in this city
of late that few housekeepers do leave
their homes with any feeling of Sc
curfty. 1 think the public will agree
with me that these depredations should
be discouraged, and summary punish
ment, to the full extent of the law,
meted out to the culprit when appre-
hended. S. H. LAWRENCE.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
MAKES PROTEST AGAINST
SIDE SEATS IN STREET CARS

TO the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Through the columns Of your valuable
paper you have mede some successful
fights for the people of the District.
VIII you allow space for these few
lines? Many objections have been raised
to the long side seats in street cars as
uncomfortable. TIE Capital Traction
Company has shown a desire to try
to please the patrons of the lines. Why
does the Washington Railway and Elec-
tTic Company persist in using those
abominable seats? Summer is coming
on, and there is no pleasure in taking an
evenings ride in such cars. One has to
have his head on a pivot so as TO turn
around and see out the window or have
draft on the back of the neck,
which is very unpleasant The people
usually start a fight for improvements
after half the summer is over. Before
any action is taken the summer season
is past.
Now that the Court of Appeals has de-
more with the Commissioners. can we
expect apy relief from the Interstate
Railway Commission? / would suggest
that all seats be removed from such
cars, and all stand up, and see IL the
railway company can get enough fares
out Of a car trip. The cars now opeT-
ated by the Washington Railway and
Electric system are Of the cheapest con-
struction that could possibly be found
Is there any hope for action by the
Railway Commission this spring or
summer
A PATRON OF THE STREET CARS.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
REAL PHILIPPINE LAND PROBE
NECESSARY.

With Dean c. Worcester, secretary
of the interior of the Philippines, and
the Democrats of the House 1nsular
Affairs Committee dissatisfied with the
recent Congressional investigation of
the administration of the Philippine
land laws, the chances for thorough
inquiry of Philippine coalitions by the
new House of Representatives seem
pretty good.
BY all means let us have a far
reaching investigations One party has
been in power in the United States
ever since the Philippines were ac-
quired. 1t would be no more than
natural to find that abuses in its ad-
ministration had been frequent. When
one party is in power for a long
period the tendency is toward in
efficiency and corruption in admins
tration of law. As to the Philippines,
enough was adduced in the hearings
last winter to indicate that a most
careful inquiry into the Governments
policy and operations in the islands is
necessary.
The report of the majority of the
Committee on Insular Affairs exon
Grated the American officials in the
Philippines, but the law had to be
strained several points to accomplish
the result A substantial minority,
consisting of three Republicans and
half a dozen Democrats, disagreed with
the majority, and declared that the
land laws pertaining to the Philippines
had been violated, in that aliens had
been permitted to exploit the Filipinos
and their property.
Let us hope Mr.. Worcester makes his
demand for investigation so insistent
that it cannot be ignored. The people
of the United States-who are footing
the biIl-have the right to know all
about the Philippines. They should
be informed whether the islands have
been a good investment and whether
the men they have, sent over there to
handle the Filipinos' affairs have
served the Filipnos or outsiders who
are seeking riches at the expense of
the natives.
Let the investigation proceed.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
DOCTORS PROPHESY
A PAINLESS FUTURE
Clinical Society Banqueters
Say Science of Medicine
Points to Such.

II all the predictions made at the an
nual banquet of the Clinical Society
of the District last night come true,
people of the future will live painless.
pleasant lives, and there will be TO
cancer, no blindness, no deafness, no
consumption, and, in reality, no need
for doctors.
Almost every one of the seventy-f1ve
members of the medical profession who
attended the banquet, given at Rau-
scher's. made some prediction concern
ing the ultimate conQuertng' of disease.
and drew attention to the great stridek
which medicine has taken in the last
decade.
DR.. Barnes Hooe. his face bIackened
and made up as a plantation negro. was
toastmaster, while DR.. Lew Johnson
acted as master of ceremonies.
Among the diners were B. F. Saul, Rob-
ert !. Montague. and the following ply
aicians: w. NJ. Barton. Louis FL John
son, Walter A. Wells, Frank Lee Bis
coe. R. H. Johnson, Lewis H Taylor,
Thomas F. Lowe, S. Key, Edward NJ.
Parker, V. r. Jackson. Rice Hooe,
Noble F. Barnes, J. F. Moran. George
Tuiley Vaughan. NJ. d'A. Magee, 4.
6diHeS IlOusI IHuIHdS a. ITOOVer, r.
Gibson, 2. T. Holden, William Gwynn,
A. F. A. King, J. B. Nichols, l.. MACK
all. Claude Bennett, Harry Hunt. Regi-
maid R. Walker, John A. O'Donoghue,
Charles NJ Hammett, W. B. Marburv.
John Foote. Charles c. Marbury, James
Stuart, Albert r. Stuart, Milton Pros
peri, Charles White, D. W. Prentiss,
Francis r. Hagner, John D. Thomas, !.
p. Wellington, L. H. Reichelderfer, Guy
Starkz SaTold, ]. j. Richardson. H. II.
Donnaly. John Van Rensselar, and D. o.
Leach.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
NAY ARE THE. MARTIAL MIN
STRELS DUMBs

The war drum throbs and the fed
Grafton of the world is threatened.
Horse. foot, and dragons are marshal
ing on the border. The gay toilettes
on the avenues are splashed with the
ochre of khaki moving hither and yon.
Beauty is scraping its lingerie into lint
and chiralry is weaving its neckties
into lanyards. There's moss on the
Peace Monument, and staid citizens are
dropping into the vigorous lingo of
Hell Roarin' Jake"
1t is a time for martial minstrelsy,
but,>where are the MINISTRIES? Where
is our Roget de Lisle with a new
"Marseillaise Why lags our Koerner
with his Song of the Sword?" In the
fever of great crises great literature is
born, and under the enkindling warmth
of heroic ballads mighty achievements
are wrought on the foughten field In
the latest preceding unpleasantness
the war cloud was no larger than Il
mans hand before Frank Stanton, for
example, was bugling:
II this old Union goes to war,
Make one more gun for me.
Untried fingers throughout the
length and breadth of the land left off
the lascivious pleasing of the lutte to
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

grasp with compelling mastery the
warlike harp (which David smote and
Saul rejoiced to hear" Thus far it
appears that we must 60 into conflict
with no more inspiring music than
the rattle of suffers wagon.
Perhaps it would be of partial as
sistance if some Old Caspar could tell
what it is all about, or at least point
out the foe. It is one of the certainties
of history-that complex fable agreed
upon"-that men fight vastly better
when they know what they are fighting
about. Is it not equally true that
the hymns of assured victory would
rise if we only knew the cause in
which we are to do and die!
The only bugle note that has come
to us thus far is blown from the
wrong end of the horn. 1t sounds II
retreat before we advance. We get
this 3 fiat from "Potomac:" ..
The standard of the Stars and Stripes;
The standard that defied King George
At Yorktown and at Valley Forge
For it we'll fight and pray and toll,
But not for the standard of Standard Oil
1t isn't patriotism; it's hardly
poetry. Bushwhacked by the ballad
lists, this war is foredoomed to failure
from the start.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
Russian Troops Marching
Toward Border of Kulia

ST. PETERSBURG, March 14-With
the Russian troops less than 100 miles
from the Chinese border and steadily
advancing, the Chinese government
must Immediately comply wish the de-
mands of Russia or suffer an invasion
of Kulia An ultimatum has been given
to the Chinese through the Russian
minister to Peking. NJ. Korostovetz. 1t
Is insisted in the ultimatum that there
must be a closer adherence to the terms
of the treaty made in 1881.
The two points involved are the re-
opening of the Russian consulates at
the points specified in the treaty, and
the establishment of free trade IN sew
eraI products, including tea.
When Russia first proposed a military
demonstration unless the points of vari-
ance were satisfied in her favor. it was
announced that settlement would be
easily reached. The second reply OF
China, however, has changed the atti-
tude of that country from that of a
conciliatory nation to that of COM
hatiye one.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
"ROBBING PETER TO PAY
PAUL" UP TO DATE.

Our amiabIe old friend, the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
is again in trouble. This time it is
suspected of indulging in the new-old
practice of ''robbing Peter to pay
Paul" Peter is the Washington and
Rockville Railway Company, and Paul
is the Potomac Electric Power Com
pany, both of whom are stepsons of the
local hallway and electric trust.
The people over in Montgomery
county, Maryland, are trying to get
lower fares from the District line to
Rockville In their suit in the United
States Circuit Court at Baltimore they
are trying to prove that certain re-
duced rates provided in an act of the
Maryland Legislature are fair. The
railway company says they are not
high enough to cover operating ex-
pcnses and leave a reasonable profit.
Now, in attempting to get at the
exact details of the company's Oper-
ating expenses, it has been discovered
that the Rockville company gets its
electric current from the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, which
buys it from the Potomac Electric
Power Company. In other words, The
parent company purchases electricity
from one of its subsidiary companies
and sells it to another. When ques-
toned as to the charges for these
transactions the treasurer of the parent
company declined to answer.
This puts an issue of vital import
anee squarely up to the court, which
will have to determine whether the
treasurer must give the information
desired. The decision will be of par
ticular interest to WashingtOnians. for
it is probable the parent company uses
the same system OF supplying current
te its subsidiary companies in the Dis
trict that it uses outside.
The question to be settled is
whether the company can maintain
secrecy as to the size of large Stem
of cost in the total of the operating
expenses of subsidiary line.
From the road it looks as if the
court would have to know how much is
being taken from Peter and given
to Paul" before it could determine
whether Peter" is going to be injured
by Encouragement of his income. 3
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED
BY THE NEXT CONGRESS

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
For the first time IN a half century
the lower branch of Congress is under
control Of the Democratic party VIII
the Democratic House, to convene in
extra session on April 4, avail itself
Of the great opportunity to do things
in a buoyant spirit that will gain 1t the
respect of the American people, or will
1t as a minority party in the past. not
rise above the level of disrupted, weak
body with scant hope ever to gain
power and influence?
There are many things that the great
intelligent American electorate expect
To he done by this Democratic Congress,
NOT SO much because it happens to- be
a Congress of different political faith,
hut because, as a Democratic Congress
that had, for so many years, been rele-
gated to the rear, it now has chance
to do things that the Republican Con-
gress, recently adjourned, failed to do.
Congress-. when it assemblies In extra
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
DEPLORES FAILURE
OF THE JUDSON BILL
Georgetown Citizens Asso-
citation Rejoices Over Con-
gress' Concessions.

Georgetown citizens are enthusiastic
today over progress made for the beau
ufcation of the Rock Creek valley At
a meeting of the Georgetown Citizens
Association last night in the Potomac
Savings Bank Hall. Wisconsin avenue
and NJ street, a letter from Commits
sioner Judson, promising aid of the Dis
trict in beautifying the proposed park
extension, was received with cheers.
Commissioner Judson wrote the asso-
citation, promising that after April 13 no
more refuse will be dumped in Rock
creek He told the association. which
has worked vigorously for the reform.
using the dump, but only for ashes, and
this viii cease within month.
Jollifcation Meeting.
A most enthusiastic session of the as
sociation was hed, resolving into a
jolIifica ton meeting over the conces-
sions of Congress to Georgetown. in ap-
propriating $4,000 for Montrose Park
and 100000 for the new Q street bridge.
To demand reintroduction of the Jud-
son bill at the forthcoming extra session
of Congress was the campaign launched
by the association. The members unani-
Enously adopted a resolution deplortng
the failure of the Judson bill to pass
the last Congress. sn
and the Commissioners for favorable
legislation, and lauding the women of
Georgetown for their work In securing
the Montrose tract for park, were
passed.
Endorsement is given by the associa-
ton to the proposed movement for sub
af 5N0 M for a~nQmm0t6 N
George Washington memorial and con-
yention hall The members voted to
send three delegates to the Chamber OF
Commerce mass meeting, March %, to
work for the memorial, and authorized
the delegates TO pledge the association
TO the extent of $50.
A letter was received by the associa-
ton from Postmaster Merritt thanking
the members for their cooperation in
closing postoffice stations on Sundays.
"Civic Responsibility"
Following the business session, an ad-
dress on Civic Responsibilities was
made by the Rev. Frederick B. Howden,
a member of the association, who said
in part:
..Todav citizens associations are requi,
site to self respect of citizens, lest they
become mere puppets and wards of the
Government.
I'VE must have ideals of citizenship
and be willing to accept responsibilities
they entail. Fulf1llment of our civic
duties is the price of our democracy.
our own political economists are max.
ng gloomy predictions of the disruption
of the country. 1t all depends upon
ourselves to prove capable citizens, hon.
est enough tol seek the general interest
and public spirited enough to take trou
BILE and face danger for the good of the
country. y
failure, 1t will be only because our citi-
zen3 fail to reach proper standard OF
civic virtue"
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

hand, it is not within the modern spirit
of tolerance to unduly hamper artistic
expression. There be times of tense
dramatic interest when anything ex-
cept an oath would be most pitiful
anti-climax. Most of us remember
Uncle Toby's profound admiration on
hearing the Latin in which the Popes
were wont to condemn the early vic
Tins of communication. Despite the
fact that 'cussing' is Grass, and yul-
gar, and demoralizing to the mixed
audiences of theaters, there ought to
be in the ordinance for its suppression
the provision for the exercise by the
authorities of a wise and informed
discretion.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
VETERAN DEFENDS OLEO
AS ARTICLE OF DIET

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
During the debate when the sundry
civil bill was up they tried to throw out
oleomargarine, the best friend in the
substitution line. They have it in the
national volunteer homes, where 1t has
been for over forty years. 1t is su-
perior to the so-called country butter.
Bit at some Of these homes they give a
scant piece. Now, If they would throw
out this corned beef, full of saltpeter,
unfit to eat, with no substance in II,
il would >be better. At some of the
homes they make hash out of 1t, but
when they use plenty Of onions in 1t 1t
makes good hash, and the bologna that
is furnished is poor stuff. At the Tenne-
see Home they fry it, sometimes; there
is no substance to it. Two years ago a
member of the Tennessee Home sent
a piece of this beef to Mr.. Roosevelt.
He was fired out of the home. He ad-
vised the home to be turned over to the
H. H. ANDERSON.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

up. and all to no effect. William Jen-
ninss Bryan, the peerless one. had igno-
miniously side-stepped three of the
greatest issues now before the women
of America He had talked volubly
enough on the future of the Democratic
party: had expressed himself in favor
OF admitting Arizona and New Mexico
20 the Union: had declared that he
hoped the progressives would get the
upper hand in both parties, and keep
it; and had unhesitatingly given the
opinion that:
Champ Clark is great man, and
will make a great leader"
Not a Word
On Harem Skirt.
He had looked SO kind, and so cor
dial. and had so courteorsly consented
TO be interviewed, that confidently ex-
pected he would give a new remedy for
whooping cough, and speak the latest
word on the harem skirt. Surely WON
en- readers would hang, upon his words!
And he had side-stepped, evaded.
crawled around every single question Hf
interest to petticoats. If some bromide
had not uttered, long ago, the platitude
that, while there's life there's hope, tile
Interview would have ended then and
there. But II didn't.
Have you message FOR the Ameri-
can boy?' was asked Mr.. Bryan. IN
desperation. CWasn't The American
Boy a great subject for any orator?l
None except what ! have given in
all my public speeches." answered
Bryan. with discouraging promptness.
You see." l explained feebly. women
are not like men. Our brains are diff
ferent. The big and weighty topics you
usually talk about are really not vital
10 the existence of the average woman.
When she tries to understand them it Is
only to please some man. We can't
digest politics. and things of that
sort. in large doses. We're sorry, but
we can't"
Blunderingly and unconsciously. the
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

Perhaps those wireless waves which
the United States warships feel just
of the Pacific coast are not from Jap
anese scouts, but from red Mars itself.
which has been drawing nearer every
day.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

Arizona probably calculates that with
Buffalo Bill representing her in the
Senate. the constitution would be rea-
sonably safe from hasty and injudicious
assault.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
Capital Artists to Exhibit,

The twentieth annual exhibition Of
the Society of Washington Artists will
be held in Ghe hemicycle of the Cor
coran Art Gallery from March Is to
March 81.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14
Does Not Regard 1t as Ques-
ton Demanding Ma
tional Action.
HAS NEVER STATED
POSITION ON MATTER
Thinks Women Understand Big
Themes Much Better Than Is
Generally Supposed.
BY SELENE ARMSTRONG,

las for Americas six million working
women and their problems said Will
lam Jennings Bryan, as he knit his
brows together, thrust his hands deep
I'm his trousers pockets, and submitted
to being interviewed by woman writer
for woman readers, ''as for the work
ing woman and her, problems, you really
must excuse me from discussing"
Certainly" I answered blithely.
Then tell us whether or not you think
we ought to be allowed to vote"
"As for the subject of woman suf-
frage,' answered the great ComToner,
in a firm and resonant Voice-and
paused. But it seemed a pause full of
meaning. 1t promised a peroration on
Votes for Women" and J leaned for
ward eXpectantly, only TO see Mr.. Bry-
ans face assume an evasive expression.
Il have nothing to say on this sub
ject," he announced, except what
have always said to members of the
press"
There is one more vital question
left" said his interviewer enthusiastic
ally, land it really is more absorbing
to women than either of the others.
They read everything that is written
about it. Tell me, do you agree with
Colonel Roosevelt and DIR. Eliot that
eight is the proper number of children
for a woman to have?"
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

England merely drops a casual re-
mark, in the hearing of the correspond
ents, that she too, has been having
some maneuvers. and that her dread
noughts hit the target every time.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

1t has been judicially established
that eggs more than three years of age
may be sent to the home for incurables
without subjecting the authorities to
any liability in damages.
The Washington times., 1911-03-14

The Russian advance upon the
Chinese (border looks almost as serious
as if II were merely a ''Dlaneuver.