davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
THE HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS.
A Correspondent Suggests Two Hun
dred Feet a& the Maximum.

a Correspondent Suggests Two Hun
dred Feet as the Maximum.
Editor Ths Washington Herald:
Your recent editorial OF "The Height
OF Buildings is most commendable. Our
present building code assuredly is too
severe in regard to the height of build
ings. There is q certain charm about
the very tall structures of New York,
for they are generally well designed, but
q city full Of such gisnts-as it surely
win become-is horribly congested, the
streets q series of darkened abysses, and
conditions generally will be deplorable.
On the other hand, squat city al
ways has 'villagy' look, unretropoli-
tan, and. If it be OF any Importance, its
low buildings, built for profit gre very
Improbable, and 1t is not long before
owners realize that and simply jockey
with the land, buying and selling lots to
unload upon the stranger and the un-
sophisticated, but doing mighty little
Improving" just enough to carry taxes
and buildings.of minor caliber. Washing
ton. bids fair to be almost squat"
city.
There is happy medium In all things.
Thirty and forty storied buildings pre-
sent no very extraordinary problems to
solve as far as construction goes, and
per Sc, they are all right, but they do
impose extra hardship and cost upon g
city to provide means OF fighting fire at
that great height, and they do do much
damage to q city, despite the charm and
some Of the advantages and great profit
they are. The matter has received much
thought and study in other cities, and
200 feet seems to be the maximum gem
orally arrived at. It Is the one this
society has adopted In the model building
code we have just completed and that
win be used by most OF our cities before
llong. Washington could do no better
than adopt 1t too. Incidentally, It is q,
great advantage 70 have uniform build
ing. and all other laws throughout the
country; witness, for instance. the
troubles and injustice that result from
the different divorce laws In our several
States
This new code permits 20 frame build
ings Of any kind within the fre limits
and none over three stories high outside
Of them; It compels everything above
I'VE stories to be fireproof construction,
and it permits buildings anywhere to be
twice as high as the fronting street is
wide and maximum upon even the
widest streets of 200 feet. with towers,
spires, domes. &C.. above that maximum,
but restricted in area to q certain per-
oentage OF the entire lot.
The cities that have already adopted
the 200 feet limit all express absolute
satisfaction wish It. So would Washing
ton. =. W. FITZPATRICK.
Executive olicer, international Society ot State and
Municipal Building cmmissioners and tnspectors
Washington, Juns q, Ig1.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
rhs saturdaY Half Holiday.

Beginning with next Saturday, all the
government departments viii observe the
Saturday half holiday. It Is custom
which dates, back for some years and
its wisdom is not to be questioned.
More and more we are learning that
II pays to end the business week at neon
or / o'clock on Saturdays during the
summer months. We have not yet
reached the point where throughout the
year the weekend is considered as
a rightful holiday, although IN Lon
don and in large degree in New
York it is difficult to find any
business man in his Office on Saturday.
Experience has shown that just as much
work can be accomplished in five and
half days as in six. In fact, in one
large manufacturing establishment the
experiment has been successfully tried
of adding an hour to the days work
on the first FIVE days of the week and
then allowing the employees an entire
day on Saturday. It was anticipated
at first that the employees would return
On Monday with a decided disinclina-
ton to work, but he'result proved that
the belief was not well founded.
The Saturday half holiday Is god
send to the clerks in the departments
and in the large stores. It,enables them
to enjoy an afternoon upon week day,
when they can indulge in recreation
that is denied them upon Sunday. It
b breathing time which makes for
more energy and capacity on the re-
naming days of the week, and the en-
ployer loses nothing by consideration
shown to those whose labor contributes
to his success.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
Are You a Mattoidl

Some of the medical fraternity want
to abolish the word crank and use the
word "mattoid" instead. It is derived
from a Greek and Latin word and indi-
Gates any one who has hobby. OF
course, many hobbies are useful, and al-
most all are harmless. For instance,
there is nothing seriously the matter
with baseball mattoid.
It is to be said to the credit of the
average mattoid that he is not criminal.
He is distinguished by an almost COM
plete integrity of the moral sense and
frequeptly by an extreme abstenious-
ness. As a class, they are not even
morbid. They areIthe people who have
what are known as fads. They viii col
lect pictures Of equestrian statues or
specimens of dried flowers, or some
thing in which comparatively few are
interested, and thus develop a certain
egotisn. For instance, some men have
a mania for collecting photographs of
themselves in various attitudes, while
others cannot read a book without
marking the margins with their own
comments upon the authors views.
Another form of mattoidism is eccen-
tric extravaganza. The man who pur-
chases fifty vests or twenty pairs of
trousers when he does not need fourth
of that number is classed as a mattoid,
pure and simple. Some forms of reli-
gious fanatieism are also included, al
though history has proven that men with
a religious mission have often been ef-
fective agents for good.
Indeed, it is question whether or not
mattoidism, as it is now to be called,
is not benefit to mankind, after all.
The men who are eneompassed with an
idea are the men who have made great
inyentions and contributed to the prog
ress Of the world Goodyear was alb.
solutely obsessed with the idea Of sui-
eanizing rubber; Gutenberg nearly
wrecked his lfe before he perfected the
printing press, and, in fact, the history
Of every improvement is the story
also Of some one who was regarded BY
his neiehbors as little short Of insane.
There is, of course, a very marked and
Sgnidcant distinction between these men
with harmless ideas and the men who
are naturally criminal in their mental
makeup. But the latter are separated
from the niattoid class By vell-defued
line
So man may Be ma.toid and still
Be useful member q society As !
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
CURIOUS BITS OF HISTORY
By A. w. MACY.

HOW A MAID SERVANT
FOUNDED A GREAT HOSPITAL
Guys Hospital. in London, Is
one Of the largest institutions Of
its kind In the world. 1t was
founded by Thomas Guy in 1724,
"snd thereby hangs a tale" Guy
was rich and miserly, and In mid
die age he became engaged to
marry one OF his maid servants.
Preparatory to the wedding he
gave orders for the pavement In
front Of his house to be mended
as far as q particular stone,
which he marked. In his absence
the maid to whom he was en-
gagged was watching the work.
men. and noticing broken place
they had not repaired she called
their attention to IT. They re-
piled that Mr.. Guy had told them
to repair only so far. Well"
said she, you mend 1t, and tell
him I told you to. I am sure he
will not be angry" But he was.
so angry that he broke the en-
gagement, renounced the idea OF
matrimony altogether, and re-
solved to spend his fortune in
building a great hospital, which
he did.
Copyright. lsn. By Jossph B. BowlsA)
TD-morrow-PiIla Saints"
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
What About the Childrenl

There is no doubt that the safe and
sane idea of celebrating the Fourth of
July has made tremendous headTay in
this country. There is hardly city
which has not adopted ordinances to
abolish the use of frecrackers, sky
rockets, and other dangerous explosives
upon the national holiday. The wis
dom of the prohibition is self-evident
In tie seven principal battles Of the
Revolutionary war there were killed
and wounded I,IIo persons, In the
eight years between July 4, 1908, and
July a, 1910, there were 1867 killed and
s5,S63 wounded. total of 37.52s killed
and wounded in Fourth of July celebra-
tons. This is a fearful penalty to pay
for patriotism
At the same time, if the American
spirit is not to find a vent in noise
even though the noise is accompanied
by death and injury-what substitute is
to tbe provided? This is a question to
which many thoughtful writers through
out the country are now giving earnest
consideration. There seems to be a
fear that a noiseless Fourth will be
succeeded by a do-nothing Fourth, and
that the great historical event which
the day commentaries will be forgot
ten. Some go so far as to predict that
the effect upon national pride and spirit
viii be anything but beneficial.
While this is probably an extreme
view, there Is no doubt that a certain
responsibility rests upon those who
have abolished the noisy and dangerous
Fourth to give the people spuething
equally as good In this city it has
been remarkable, as well as disappoint-
ing, to note the almost absolute apathy
with which the efforts to celebrate the
holiday in safe and sane manner have
been received. Surely patriotism is not
dying out, and yet the response to the
request for funds for an elaborate pro-
gramme has been unsatisfactory, to say
the least.
And what is to be done about the
ehildrenf They are the ones to whom
the day appeals most forcibly. Deprived
Of their chief form of demonstration,
how are they to be kept in sympathetic
touch with the spirit of the holidayf
What is being done to give the small
boy and his sister an opportunity to
really celebrate the greatest day in
American history7
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
Amend the Insurance Laws.

The necessity of promptly amending
the District code in its relation TO Wild
cat insurance companies is amply shown
in another column of The Washington
Herald this morning.
The District authorities, who are
thoroughly oognizsnt of the situation,
are bending every effort to secure the
enactment by the House of bill which
has already passed the Senate, and they
are being assisted by the representatives
of legitimate insurance companies. 1t
does not require any argument how
ever, to prove that irresponsible organ
izations. which exist without capital and
without reserve, and which collect
money for assessments when they are
financially unable to meet claims which
may be made by policy holders, ought
not to be tolerated in any community.
The facts show that large number
of poor and ignorant people, who make
weekly contributions of dimes and nick
els out of their hard-earned wages, hop
ing to receive some return when they
are i'll, or to prevent their interment, in
case of death, from being burden upon
their families, are the victims of these
wildcat concerns The present law is
practically imperative and allows these
conditions to prevail. 1t is not to the
credit of the District of Columbia that
this situation does not exist anywhere
else in the United States.
Certainly it does not need more than
the presentation of the facts to awaken
the House District Committee to the
necessity of giving this legislation its
immediate and favorable attention
When the law shall have been passed
ali the local companies viii be required
to have at least enough capital to make
a reasonable Foundation for doing busi-
ness, and will be required to, submit to
close supervision. This much, at least,
lis due the public and especially that
portion of it which is poor and ignorant.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
. Titles In England.

From Tfutn.
Forty or fifty years ago few people
In England had titles. There were only
few decorations which entitled their
owners to put the prefix sir before
their names. We ell OF as looked down
with lofty contempt upon the counts
and barons that were 30 plentiful In
Continental countries. Now We can do
80 no longer. for probably there is no
other country IN the world where the,
trahic In titles Is so open and 50 inde-
cent as in England. What the number
of our decorations is do not know, and
I imagine that few do Every few years
some new one IL created, and an English
man with 9 taste that way can easily
manage to exhibit himself covered with
metal disks and bits OF ribbon like some
successful COW at an agricultural show.
These Embellishments may fistter the
vanity Of their wearers. but they do not
increase the respect that is felt for Eng
Iishmen.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
Can Marry i'm south caroIina.

From tie Columbia State.
A New Jersey couple wish the President
to unite them In marriage IN washington
next Monday. but The washington Herald
points out tnat uie President is not
authorized to perform the marriage cere-
mony by the laws OF the District of
Columbia. In South Carolina the Presi-
dent may lawfully perform a ceremony Of
marriage The President labors under
no legal disabilities while In South Caro-
lima.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
A CENTURY OF PROGRESS.
A Maryland Man whose Life Wit
messed Wonderful Things.

A Maryland Man whose Life Wit
messed Wonderful Things.
From the Baltimore Sun
There died in Baltimore County on
Tuesday, John Riley, who was three
months past the age OF one hundred
years, having lived all OK his Life within
few miles of the place Of his birth.
Mr. Riley was q farmer and probably
lived the life of the average farmer of
the better class, and his remarkably
long life can be accounted for only by
the fact that he was endowed by nature
with a strong constitution, which he never
undermined by excesses.
What a wonder-yorld this has been
during the span Of this mans lifei He
was born during the administration Of
Madison, the fourth President Of the re-
public; the war OF 1872 was just ap-
preaching; Napoleon was flashing through
the European sky on his way to Water
loo: the steam engine was IN its infancy,
the steamboat an experiment, the steam
railroad hope; percussion caps were
just invented and, friction matches un-
thought of; electricity had never been
practically applied to mans use, and stage
coach mail was the most rapid form OF
communication between distant parts OF
the country. Vessels made Of material
heavier than water. compunication by
word Of mouth between distant points,
monographs. moving pictures. airships--
q thousand things Of everyday use at the
present time were stiIi in tho womb of
the future.
No. other one hundred years Of the
worlds history mas been SO full Of human
achievement Many people say that they
would not wish to live to such an age.
but. given good health. unimpaired fac
ulties. and opportunity to see such
miracles OF accomplishment as this man
witnessed. who would not wish to enjoy
the same degree Of longevity?
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
sYmnathY for Mr. sherman.

We bespeak a word of sympathy for
the Hon. James Schoolcraft Sher-
man, Vice President of the Unitec
States. Born under a lucky star, en-
dowed by nature with a temperament
that has rightly earned for him the
soubriquet of Sunny JIM" and accus-
toned all of his life to indulging in his
own sweet will, he is now confronted
with a situation that would make the
angels weep.
Long years ago, when the founders
Of the republic arranged for Vice
President in our system of government.
they also provided that he should pre-
side over the Senate. It gave him some
thing to do and kept him in the lime
light We are certain, however, that
it was never Intended that the Vice
President should be a slave to duty.
Mr.. Hobart came and went as he
pleased. Mr. Morton never neglected
business or recreation in order to oe-
cupy the ehair. and even the strenuous
Roosevelt left the Senate chamber when
the proceedings bored him or the re-
straint Of the Office bore too heavily
upon his active frame M. Sherman
must heave deep and monfnful sigh
as he thinks Of his favored predecessors.
He is claimed % his chair. The Senate
csnnot do business without presiding
cheer and the wicked insurgents de-
cline to cooperate with Iksir fellow
RsPst'isans and e|s.. zone one 3.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
rrMannMa

Kine q hundred DrsaanOusha ruling the
esFgn Seas
rsst,d .saila5. pOud@. snd s..s'-.haii ss enaur.
Ks.pias = .nsa ioaAiD 4 ..rA vA-.. yuur
ssntxies standf
what =. ALIad ana Assn nOui sAsrds m ne
drifting sAnd.
Klnn ., sAOeana srs.s tns Q, tn thousand
Ianss I'D l,ma.sd. 1auttisuAss np'u. tsun rus
unto seaport again.
weaving ; .ysb q inaniss shssad. giants a hand
whss - ~ : tSs rlls,- PAausa. ..asaf o.s n
dssoiats maid
Klns. q u. sOui's out..sahsuss tsnp d ths f.r
tdtaf-
Po<ss phfl6ssphsA uprhstS-ths chr1H lining
men rear9 the Reai-
No unto aus !. ne ear iua. .. not = th'
lords e gFeod,
Bat ri1inl fcr1lU tEcm lie = dIo-klnU eu1
;sRz,Izs nr.,al ao;ns - ouuzapuitsz.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
pegrees An Hor.e TradinE.

From tbs Indianapolis Star.
Judge A A. Adams, OF the Indiana APP
pellate Court, tells O story OF q man who
was a good horse trader but through
lack Of mathematical education was un-
able to determine his per cent Of profits.
''ThiaEman," relates Judge Adams, made
good trade and he was anxious to
know his real per cent OF profit, so he
consulted school teacher.
IT bought horse the other day for
$15 and sold It for S175; now. what was
my per cent Of prontr he asked the
teacher.
That replied the teacher. was not
profit; It was larceny"
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26

president pro tempore. So when Mr..
Sherman wants to run away for Z day
the Senate thoughtfully sdiOurna.
It IL sad situation for the Vice
President. and Is apt TO put touch Of
acidity into his good nature-if, indeed,
even the necessity Of being always on
duty can mar a disposition 50 utterly
free from guile.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
Character sketch Of . Fan.

From the American Maeaxina
The ysar the Cubs won their first
worlds championship = crazy mob Of
enthusiasts pursued Chance. trying to
raise him On their shoulders. Chance
struggled 20 free himself. A big. red
faced man. purple from roofing. beat the
manager on the back and yelled: Don't
you know me. FrRnkr'
Yep, replied Chance cooliy. You're
the fellow who hit me on the head with
4 lemon last fall when the sox beat
us.v
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26

matter Of fact most Of u. have some
in our makeup which diff
fercntiates US from the rest Of mankind.
If we did not, it would be common
place world, sure enough.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
Competing with the Coronation,

. Competing with the Coronation.
From the Bufhlo EHprssA
The private home in the Adirondacks
was filing with guests
-Four rooms taken already" gloated
the head Of the house. Il guess wen
have all six rooms filled by the 1st Of
August"
II don't believe the coronation VIII cut
our patronage at ALL" his wife veatured.
hopefully.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
A nunrline Novioe.

From shs St Louis Globe.Dsnocst
A dealer arrested for selling milk 81
per cent water pleads that It was his
nrst ofenss. aAs a hardeped offender he
would have eliminated the COW alto
gether IN about ten days.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
A nada, Day Plan.

From ths New London Telegraph.
The movement to have fathers
day Is being seriously considered. Ac-
cording to the unions fathers day would
be easy to celebrate. as It would have
TO be over IN eight hours. But We are
in favor Of Il. Father should have some
recognition besides paying the bills.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
whlslrv, peer, and Bread.

From ths New York E1bnns. -
A little while ego the nation was hang
ing breathlsss upon the question, what
Is whisiy7e Now DR.. wiley promises
us the even more generally enthrzlling
conundrum. "What Is beer7's one OF
theos days We may get around 10 the
scarcely isus pertinent inquiry. What
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
n. Wa. No Eieht-hour Man.

Ffom the paIlaa NeWs
That Brooklyn preacher who declared
that II st. Peters were alive to-day he
would be a baseball fan and attend
al the games on the home ground. has
little authority for his statement. St
Peter didn't 1 belong to-ths lsisurs uclnsB.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
HoME NEWS wHILRAWAY

Te keep m touch win Aems
news waskingtonians IsavinE ths
city sasuIa not fan 70 hsvs ne
washfnsspn Herald mnilsd 20
shen. n wnl BE sent prsnpsiy,
eng addre.ssu mag BE chanees e
eftep e desired wisheus later
rort'en - service.
Nan order or 'phsns aaln $3.50.
riz,aT he ela es> asv addresses.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
SUN'SRAYS REFLECT
ON MONUMENTS TIP
Older Residents Observe the
washington Kohri-noor."
PROVES THE LAW OF OPTICS

Phenomenon of Old Sol Caused by
Reflection from an Eight-pound
Aluminium Quadrangular Pyramid
which Tops the shaft~ViewpOints
Are Easily Determined
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
The Lonely snihar

From ths Richmond TimssDdpstch.
II We kill all the nies, what is the
poor spider going to do with his little
paricr7
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
A LITTLE NONSENSE.
BIER rrRN FTr,

The bride. she made q nice meat pie
Then IN the parior sat.
Wherest the ME was eaten by
Her Maltese cat.
And then the bride began to CRY.
But hubby told her that
She needn't cry, he'd 30 and buy
Another cat.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
wh.re Prohibition = wanted.

Ffrm the Ohio stats Journal
The esteemed Democrats In Congress
WIN earn our gratitude II they win I'M
pose = prohibitive tariR on ohiciaI ther-
mometerG
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
summer salts. .

From ne Norfolk Lsdssrn Dispatch.
4 great many summer suits ara for
divorce,
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
GLASS OF 1871.

Prison reform Is gaining ground every
day"
yes; hear one OF our penal insti-
tutions is going to have graduating ex-
ercises this year"
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
Seeking HeIp

How are you at picture puzziesr'
Pretty fair"
Maybe you can put together these
forty-odd parts have taken out Of my
automobile"
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26

6eS Ahhese chI
And then the bride bsgan TO CRY.
But hubby told her that :
She needn't cry, he'd 20 and buy
Another cat
Glass of 1871.
Prison reform is gaining ground every
day.
yes; I hear one OF our penal insti-
tutions is going to have graduating ex-
ercises this year"
Seeking Help.
How are you at picture puzziesr'
Pretty fair"
Maybe you can put together these
forty-odd parts have taken out Of my
automobile"
In Motor Circles.
MARY, who is at the doorf'
"a red runahout, ma'am."
mot at home I'm waiting for q green
touring car"
Ancient Champions.
The Hittites many pepnants won
In days of long ago.
They often walloped Babylon
And heat out Jericho.
Too Many Experts.
I'm afraid my wife picked out the
wrong hotel"
TOO expensivef"
''Oh. no; but it's going to be hard to
make expenses. Thepe's q lot of other
bridge sharps there besides herself"
Jol1yipg Him Along.
How do you get out Of making repairs
to that old shackT'
i've got a poet for a tenant. keep
telling him I'm going to put tablet. in
his honor on the house some day"
Chief End OF Travel.
'T wouldn't miss the Pyramids FOR
worlds"
ct am glad to see somebody interested
In scientific research."
'Tt isn't that want to have my pho
toraph taken standing in front Of the
main dump"
The Washington herald., 1911-06-26
IN NTntnr CircIea.

In Motor Circles.
MARY, who is at the doorr'
"a red runahout, ma'am."
Not at home I'm waiting for gTeen
touring car"
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-12-20
JAMES R. Mcgowan
SELLS HIS STOCK
In Montgomery County fair ASsO-
citation and RCtireS as Pres
ident--SuCCeSSOr to Be
Named in January.

The directors of the Montgomery
Fair Association have purchased
the stock of James r. Mcgowan
in the association for the purpose
of redistribution. Mr.. Mcgowan
will retire from the presidency and
deyote all his time to other inter-
ests. The association will hold a
meeting in January and elect new
president and directors.
Mr.. Mcgowan has been president
of the association since it's organi-
zation several years ago and made
a splendid official, much of the
success of the fair company being
due to his personal efforts, and his
retirement is deeply regretted.
Just who will be named as the
new president is a question of
doubt, but the stockholders are
sure to elect a man of efficiency
and abil ty and the future success
of the fair is assured.