davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington, Dec. 1.-the German Am
bassador and Countess Won Bernstorn en-
,ertained Miss Taft and number OF young
persons at dinner at the embassy tonight
in compliment 10 Miss Mary Switzerland
and Louis Bacon. OF Boston. whose mar
rage will take place early in January The
guests besides Miss Taft and Miss Souther-
land and her fance, were the Misses Meyer
Miss Elsie Aldrich, Miss Margaret Draper
Miss Harriet Switzerland. Mr.. and Mrs.
Gibson, A. Piatt Andrew. Samuel Eliot
Count Ivan Csekonlcs, Austrian secretary.
Mr. Maugras French third secretary; A.
Kerr Clark Kerr. British third secretary
and A. c. Horstmann. Of the German Enl-
basev staff After the dinner the Anbassa-
dor and Countess Won Bernstorf escorted
their guests to the dance at the home OF
the Secretary Of the Navy.
Tho British Ambassador entertained Seth
Low. of New York, and few other guests
at dinner tonight Mrs. Bryce, who is In
New York. will return tomorrow.
Gregory Wilenkin. Russian financial
agent, will leave here tomorrow 10 spend
several days in New York.
Colonel Baron de Bode Russian military
attache. will arrive in this country to-
morrow from leave Of absence spent In
Europe. lie has taken the house formerly
occupied bv Prince Koudacheff. counsellor
Of the embassy Baroness Elizabeth de
Bode. his sister, who spent several seasons
with him in Washington, does not return
with him.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
THE STATES MERIT SYSTEM"

THE STATES MERIT SYSTEM
That Is q sweeping arrangement of the
New York state Civil Service Commits
sion which Mr.. Robert W. Belcher, OF
the Civil Service Reform Association
brought before the National Civil Service
Reform League. There has been no
such record of a disregard Of the prin-
"ciples and spirit of the merit system on
"the part of any State Civil Service Com
mission under either Democratic or Re
publican administration he said.
since the first civil service law was
passed in the State Of New York. under
Governor Cleveland, in 1888" This
conclusion he based on q detailed &C
count of the record of the commission
up to date on applications for exemption
Of places from the competitive classified
ton. Not a single piece of constructive
work had been done, he declared, while
the work Of reducing the exempt CLASH
fication begun by the previous commits
sion had been abandoned. The course Of
the majority members of the commission
had been characterized throughout by
IAN utter disregard of their plain public
duty and by a spineless surrender to the
most indefensible pleas Of spoilsmonger-
ling officers and political leaders"
This estimate accurately measures the
difference between Cleveland Democracy
and Tammany Democracy In its effect on
the public service. There is no pulling
sentiment about Tammsny. Tammany
wants the jobs Of course. Mr.. John \.
| Dix. candidate for Governor. might
promise that if elected he would ap-
point Civil Service Commission in full
sympathy with the letter and spirit OF
''the civil service law and the merit sys-
item" But as for the appointments of
Governor Dix. that was quite different
matter. Tammany was concerned there
Jobs were at stake. and the only merit
which really counted was that of having
! Charles i. Murphy for hacker. New
| York state for years under Republican
administrations prided itself on taking
the lead among states in departmental
efficiency and progressive policies. Its
! Civil Service Commission, before the
Tammany state administration came into
/ poWer. was regarded as one Of the strong
/ dopartments-a credit to the state in the
! eyes of the rest of the country. New
| York state is not used 60 having such
criticism made-and justly made-of any
department. II will be merely another
incentive to the voters TO turn out tho
Tammanyized administration next year
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
ClTYS DEATH RATE LOWER
November Shows Rate of 1878,
as Against Average of 1895.

The death rate for the entire city during
November. according 20 a report issues
Yesterday by the Department of Health
was 1873 to the 100 as against an aver
age IF 1896 for tho same month during
the last thirteen years The number OF
births reported was lOs25, an increase OF
235 over tho corresponding month Of lsH
year.
There we're t.o7a marriages last MONTH
which was = decrease OF SIS. as compareu
with the same month in 1910
Richmond showed the highest death rate'
1851. This was attributed 60 a preponde,'
ance Of persons over forty-hye wears 90.
The Bronx was next. with lilo' une'
Queens. II NJ; Brooklyn. 1880 and Mann'r
tan, lils
Those diseases which showed an ~
creased mortality over last year WI,
cancer organic heart disease. nrohDAe
pneumonia. appendicitis, cirrhosis OF NV,
and congenital debility. Homicides az
increased. there being eleven last month
The mortality Of children under ave yea
old which Is generally considered 70
index Of the sanitary condition Of oiv'
decreased from S75 10 1877 deaths 10 'n'
1000. a reduction Of almost p per 60
The efforts OF the sanitary officials ns rs
been directed chiefly toward the io"el go,
OF tho mortality az this age group 81.
the various infectious and commun' A..
diseases. Al the age group between
and sixty -ive years the death ra'e :,
reduced from less TO Ss6, reduc'io" A..
Is per cent. Al the age group sAv \,
years and over the rate fell rom
eo4. reduction 81 only 81 per cent
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Iron The Tribune bureau.
Washington, Dec 15-Among the numer-
GUS parties which preceded the dance at
the home Of Secretary and Mrs. Meyer was
that entertained by Senator du Pont lie
has arranged to entertain large Christ
mas house party. including several OF the
younger diplomats. at his place I'm Della
ware. He will take them 10 Wintherthur
I'm his private car.
The marriage Of Mrs Daniel p. Mozart
ney and Captain Harold p. Norton, L. S.
y. will take place at noon on Wednesday,
December =. at the homo Of the bride.
With the exception of Captain Horace g.
mcfarland. L. s. N, stationed in New
York. who will act as best man. there will
be no attendants. The Rev. Edward H..
Buckley will perform the ceremony, i'm the
presence OF the members of the two fami-
lies. Captain Norton is stationed in Wash
ington and is a member Of the Metropoh-
tan. Chevy Chase and Army and Navy
clubs and Of the New York Yacht Club and
the Engineers club of New York. lie Will
take his bride to Stoneleigh Court to live.
Mrs. Myron Whitney presented a number
of her friends TO the Hon. Kathleen Beres-
Colonel and Mrs. Robert NJ. Thompson,
who arc entertaining Miss Beresford. will
give 'cross-country run for her OF Sun
day, followed by luncheon at tho Chevy
Chase Club.
At musical and tea at ;he Congressional
Club this afternoon Miss Mabel Boardman.
Mrs. Z. r. Bsthrick, of Ohio; Mrs Henry
George jr.. Of New York and others as
sisted.
Mrs. Martin W. Littleton went to New
York to-day 10 meet her two SONS. Martin
Wilson Littleton. jr, and Douglas Little
ton who are students at Concord She "a an
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
a CRIPPLED CAUSE.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Thank you for your editorial en-
titled Their Humiliation" which appeared
December .. Now that the Mcnamara
brothers have confessed their guilt to das-
tardly deeds and brought open mouthed
CONSERVATION to the camp OF labor leaders,
who could not believe that any criminals
could exist within their ranks. apologies to
the detective. William Burns and all who
pressed the prosecution in the name Of
law and order, ought to be offered to make
partial amends for the dlsgraceful stigmas
hurled about their heads. Fate has at least
been kind in giving ms the confession OF
the McNamaras and setting aside for all
time the question OF their guilt.
without paliating the greed and gor-
mandizing Of capitalism or minimizing the
misery they produce. 1t may be said that
they form d system which is less iniquitous
than the one that sheltered the Nc
Namaras. NOOBSEf TELLER.
Orange, y. j.. Dec. II, 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
THE RENT PAYERS STRUGGLE

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir A communication headed "Buncolng
Property Owners in The Tribune Of this
date. In which the Professor" says ne is
amazed at the peculiar ideas Of the Ten
ants Union chairman. has been called 70
my attention AS secretary Of that organi-
zstion. RI the property owners are being
buucoed will the Professor" kindly In
form me- what is being done to the unfortu-
nate tenants. who all through life are
compelled 10 pay FOR the privilege OF living
on the land the Creator gave TO all. and not
to a privileged class called landlords And
after paying in rent. i'm some cases hun
dreds of times the cost Of the houses they
live in, they can be evicted and left with
out shelter h. those who not only monopo-
lie the land, but also hold n out Of use
until they get tho wealth the community
produces as the price Of letting go. thereby
causing congestion Of population that; with
resultant disease, ia annually numbering
the citizens of this city by thu thousands.
ALEXANDER LAW.
New York Dec .. 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
SOCIAL NOTES FROM NEWPORT,

by Telegraph 10 The Tribune
Newport, Dec. 15.-An informal lance
was given by the officers and their wives
at Fort Adams this evening. and the affair
was attended by large number of 10
army and navy colony Mrs. Tracy. wife
Of Major Joseph r. Tracy. acted as tho 20
ception committee.
The Rev. George Grenyillo Merrill Las
leased the Gilliat cottage. at Rhode Island
avenue and Old Beach Road. for \ year
lie and Mrs. Merrill will take rossfssion
of tho cottage on January A..
Mr.. and Mrs. Sidney Jones Coio-d. lrr
entertained At dinner at Claradon court
this evening
Miss Martha Goldman who IS entertaining
a weekend party. gave dinner a. her
Bellevue avenue cottage last evening
Mrs. Louis j. Lorilard has returned
from New York.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster
have returned fsom Boston.
Miss Rose Grosvenor has gone to PIoH-
dence to visit Mrs. William Grosveror
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
DEMOCRATIC EXTRAVAGANCE


Mr.. Underwood may well feel disquieted
about the raid which his party In Con
gress is making on the public treasury
A party which is elected on pledge OF
economy and vet votes TO swell the pen
sion expenses of the country by from
S45, 100000 10 S75.O00000 q year will moi
restrain itself IN the presence of IN op'
portunity 10 reach into the pork barrel
for its districts In vain did Mr.. Under
wood lecture the Public Buildings Com
mittee upon the danger Of going before
the country with a record of responsible
ity for the most expensive session OF
Congress I'm history.
The average Congressman cannot see
anything bigger than his district. There
are q hundred or so old soldier votes
in his district that he thinks may be
gained by pension legislation. and ac'
cordingly he will vote TO add $75,OOo,oOo
TO the nations expenses. The 'senti
ment of his district demands post
Office. If he will vote for enough other
postoffices enough other Representatives
will vote for his to make majority OF
the House and thus a public buildings
bill recurring the expenditure of S25,
100000 or more Is created. If the com
mittee. presumably made up of men with
larger sense OF their responsibilities
than the average. almost unanimously
declined 10 heed Mr. Underwood, what
hope is there Of his being needed by the
House at larger
Last session the Democrats bent all
their energies 10 an attempt to put MI
Taft 'in a hole This session they have
begun with equal energy to put them
selves in hole. The enterprise promises
to be successful in spite of Mr.. Under
wood.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
Az ELECTED ASSEMBLY FLOOR
LEADER.

LEADEh.
1t is to be hoped the Republican AS
semblymen Will do something more than
discuss the plan 10 have a floor leader
and also q chairman of the Committee
on Ways and Means. The present sys-
TEN, which combines The two places and
the dual set Of duties. puts too much
work on one man. According TO legiS-
latlve custom in this state, the appro-
priation bill and the supplemental supply
bill originate in the lower house. The
preparation Of these measures involves
great amount Of detail work, Of ne
cessity expressing the time Of the chair
man Of the committee which has it. 10
do. without the burden Of the floor lead
ership. Because no individual can do
two mems work in one day legislative
sessions are often unduly prolonged.
The floor leader cannot take charge Of
preparing the financial legislation and
keep the legislative mill grinding out its
general product rapidly Al the same time.
The Senate has divided these duties be
tween two mena floor leader who has
no committee craftsmanship, though or
o6icio member of fhe more important
committees. and Il chairman Of the
Finance Committee
This new plan might have another ad-
vantage There have been many COM
plants not only from the public but
from members of the Assembly about the
arbitrary acts Of the Assembly ma
chine The machine. IN effect, has
been the Speaker and the floor leader.
With the patronage Of the Speaker In
committee appointments and the dis
posal Of clerkships and appropriations
10 be granted or withheld by the chair
man Of the Ways and Means Committee,
these two men WELD a heayy>club The
election by the majority party Of floor
leader who should not he chairman Of
the appropriating committee would tend
10 diminish individual power by enlarg
ing the group Of leaders. II would in
crease the efficiency of the legislative
system. while at the same time Offering
opportunity which does not now exist
for recognition Of minority or differing
elements within the majority party and
tending 10 lessen machine control 10y ar
bitrary use Of power. The people will
watch the Republican Assembly in the
coming Legislature. Successful opera
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
MORE ROWDIES.

To the Editor OF The TRIBUNE.
Sir. ! want 10 echo the sentiments Of
the woman who wrote so admirably Of her
experience with street football hoodlums
! have known OF similar disa blement as
the result II this rowdyism. only yester-
day my daughter WAS struck twice with
a new instrument a heavy barrel hoop
which TWO boys mot children about eight
cen years old We're trundlng like infants
from one 10 the other. She is right one
Of the sources OF this trouble Is unques-
uonably our voluble chief executive. \
sad comment on the administration. Il
New York. Dec H. 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16

Claus and possibly. n he had any, SSn'a
would bring him some. No, sa'o '"e
little rebel II heard you read to mamma
that every one must have $A. 1ne,t
only 81 % in my bank and the GOLD oo'lSi
belongs to sister. so ] must have ~,
more" The father made good. but WI"
read no more Treasury reports aiouo WV
M the children have gone to bed.
Say. come over here old man. ~ant
10 ask YOU something In confidence. ~ ~
there anything peculiar looking ABOUT n'e
NO. Why?" ,.a
That tall. handsome woman JUST oeNonn
the punch bowl asked me moment ago
whether / fddled or played chess IN
cseo Record Herald
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
PEOPLE and Social Incidents

bring the hoys 10 Washington. to r.m,,,
until January a.
Among the many social affairs Of III. Az,
were the dinners given tonight nv Mr.,
Frederick r. Chaplin for Miss Elizab.,h
Reid Rogers. 2 tea hy Mr. and Mrs. Thorn.
rs NJ Chatard 70 present Miss Nina
stockton 10 society and number Of
luncheon parties for dehuisntss
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16

may be captured by senuihs WoRw ="
their tight and its direction by telephone
or telegraph. An airship rs so large an
object that II cannot easily he hidden
aud IL is TOO valuable to he abandoned.
for which reasons II Is 10 he assumed
that most of those who use one Will
hesitate 30 outlaw themselves. and those
who do will find it exceedingly difhcult
ia escape detection and apprehension
There will be need Of some such rules III
every civilized country. and France Is do
ing an international service in promul-
eating a code which may serve elsewhere
aS a model
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
BED CROSS SEALS SELL EAs1

According to statement given out nv
the Committee on the Prevention of Tu-
berculoss, 10000 Red Cross Christmas
seals have already been sold In New York
city Frank X. Mann. secretary Of the
committee, said these sales were made mn
largely Of mail orders received AZ tho
headquarters IN the Metropolitan Arcade.
and of cash orders given 10 the commit
tees representatives, They do not include
any sales made by the one thousand agents
acting for the committee throughout the
city
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
THE CABINET.
From The Tribune Bureau. }

Washington. Dec. 15.-The Secretary OF
State and Mrs. Knox returned to-day from
New York, where they attended the mar
rage Of their son. Hugh Knox, to Miss
McCook
The Secretary Of the Navy and Mrs.
Meyer gave one OF a series OF informal
dances tonight A number OF dinner par
ties preceded the dance, among them being
that at the German Embassy, where Miss
Taft was a guest January is the date
set for the next dance.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16

They reckon III. murmurs Sir Wilfrid
I.aurier. who leave me out" Badly
beaten as he was IN the late elections.
that indomitahle and resourceful leader
purposes to remain an active and agrees
sive force in Canadian politics and IT
will be strange if he does not prove TO
be not only an irritating but an agoniZ-
ing thorn I'm the side Of the ministry
His purpose Of moving in Parliament for
an increase Of the preferential rebate on
the tariff on British goods from the
present 30 3 per cent 10 - or even -
Der cent Is as shrewd as it is logical.
His Conservative opponents profess high
Imperialism and opposed reciprocity with
the United States because they preferred
To favor British trade VERY Well"
saws Sir Wilfrid. then favor II i'm ear
nest" II is expected that the government
will oppose the measure and the Con
servatiyes will accordingly vote 1t down.
A I'd when he forces the impcrialsts thus
To repudiatc imperialism Sir Wilfrid will
smile q smile that Is chidlike and bland.
Generally speaking, changes i'm the
names III Stxa stS $40 TO ~ diSaIlTUVsd.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
THAT'S PART OFT.

From The Louisville Courer-Journsi
The good roads convention attacks one Of tho
Oldest human problems says The York
Tribune That OF how TO md honest and
CAPABLE men Who VIII handl. the fnndsq
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
NetpsDurk Gribnrle.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER l6, 1911.
This newspaper Is o,Oned and pub

This newspaper Is o,Cned and pao
Hsbed By The Tribune Association
Ne,o York corporation; ONCE and pr,n
cipdl place Of business, Tribune BH'ta
inc. No. 154 Nassau street. Ne,o YORK
Ocder NILS, president; ogden N. Re'd
secretary; Jones u. Borrett, treasurer
The address of the officers is the oD'c'
Of this newspaper.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
NEW AERIAL TERMS

From The Boston Transcript M
Aviation IL bringing into use some ..,,,"
impressive terminologies Aerial somh' :,
was what Rodgers iays attacked nm sat s "a
tell I'm his aeroplane. We don't knew AssaskS
but II sounds a great deal verse 'eA"
meas
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16
THE TALK or THE DAY.

An amusing incident took place In a New
York department store A few days ago
when a plainly dressed little woman who
had been noticed by a woman detective
wandering from one department 20 the
other without buying anything MAS asked
what she was looking for. Nothing in par
ticular." she said Just looking round.
The woman was closely watched. and when
a member OF the firm appeared near where
she was standing the detective stepped up
and whispered her suspicious 10 him.
Don't bother" he said, she is your new
extra side partner"
Passer- By-Whats tho iusz in the school
yard. boy?
Tho Boy-Why, the doctor has Just been
around eXaminin' US an one OF the de
ficient boys Is knockn' tn everlastin stuff
ms out Of a perfect kid.-Cleyelaud Plain
Dealer.
HARD TO UNDERSTAND.
never will endeavor
TO fathom out reason
Why the rain. rain, rain
Struggles down my window pare
When. AS proper al the season,
out the skies should fall the snow
Which askir the winds should blow.
Why the mud. mud. mud
Claws our rubbers with thud,
And the finest umbrella
Is as nothing DER fella.
/ never will endeayor
TO penetrate the query
Why tho snow, snow, snow
Tumbes thick. and blizzards blow
With u chilling cry 80 eerio
When the season calls for rain.
Then clear skies and rain again
And the slush. slush. slush
Oozes thro' our shoes like mush.
And a fella's spring-1ike garments
Nothing ginst such measly varmints.
It's strange how Nature mocks Us.
First beclothes us. then unfrocks us,
Are We 20 Judge by almanac?
An. no. alack!
Teacher-Billy. can sou ten INC the diff
ference between caution and cowsrdice?
Billy-Yes, maam. When you're afraid
yourself. then that's caution nut when the
other fellows afraid. that's cowardice.-
Tit-Bils.
in a large apartment house on the West
side where II has been IN" custom Of the
elevator boys 10 decorate the cars at
Christmas time with wreaths, garlands
and holly and TO wish the fiat dwell
ers who ride with them the compli-
ments Of the season by means Of inscrip-
tons on the mirrors, there will be no dis
play OF that kind this year because Of an
order 10 that effect by the superintendent
The bows. not to be deprived OF their an
nual plea for an extra tip. have laid In
supply Of Christmas cards for distribu-
ton on which IS written. Nothing doing
in the decoration line by order OF the boss.
But we wish you y Merry Christmas. just
the same
Briegs-Tlere's scientific chap who
states that the eve Of ~ can discern an
object one-fi -millionth Of an men an III
ameter.
Griges-I wonder If It can discern tho
soul of tho fellow who wants 10 abolish
Christmas?- cleveland Plain Dealer.
The statement recently published 10y ih"
Treasury Department to the effect that
If the money I'm circulation In this country
=, ere equally divided among its 9l,s12'2oo IN
habitants each individual would have "a 81
vas the basis Of claim by small boy
who told his father he wanted "A lot OF
money Ia HSS LlA - 1910 10 santa
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16

The collection of customs may serve
advertising purposes eXcellently. First,
the jewels Of a woman not unknown TO
fame are held for an inquiry. Thus the
public IS informed Of their fabulous
value, and when her auction sale Of her
collection" Of jewelry, art and the like
is held a few weeks later, public in
terest will require little further stimu-
lation
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16

If the custom Of checking babies at
the department stores and leaving them
there continues to grow it may be nee
essary for those establishments to hold
auction sales OF unclaimed babies, as
the express companies do Of parcels left
on their hands.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-16

II Is provcrbial that tho mouth Of a
gift horse is not a fitting object Of crit
ical scrutiny, wherefore it is to be hoped
that the University Of California will
not have occasion TO demur at the terms
Of the legacy which It has Just received
and will be willing 10 spend 100000 81
the 100000 in erecting a gigantic campa-
nile in the centre of its campus for the
sake of having the remaining 100000
to spend rs 1t sees fit But If it had
received the gift without the condition
it is exceedingly doubtful If It would
have thought Of the campanlc.