davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
'OT HTFFINS.'

Shade of Charles Dickens. Has the
American tourist no rights? Here Is
London Justice fning a muffin man Is.
3D. costs for ringing his bell because he
disturbed the quiet Of Westminster. Are
there no traditional rights left in radical
modern England-the England that viii
fles Rome and its Mayor for sacrificing
its monuments on the altar of prosaic
practical progress? Shall London and
It's American visitors no more hear the
sound Of the muffin mans bell-not 10
mention the crlmpets; must 1t lose an
other tradition old as the days OF King
John. whom the erudite muffin man
quoted in vain defence?
One Of the Oldest traditions Of the capl-
tai of the world Is to be suppressed mere
" because Westminster objects! Perish
the thought. Mullins and crunpeS.
Why. all good Americans have been
brought up on the romantic tradition Of
these solid delicacles. Without them
London Will not be London to them.
They expect to meet them In the smok-
ing dough. so to speak. when they go TO
England. as they expect to struggle with
ha ggis and a cold shape in Scotland, if
they extend their trip so far north.
Why destroy all local color. all the ro-
nance of the past-the classic monu-
ments Of Rome. the primitive human
appeal Of the muffin bell In London? Are
they all to 60 down before the advance
Of levelling. monOtonous modernlty, the
filing delights Of the Victorian era
mullins and crumpets, OF trotters, and
'ot mutton pies-the reality Of them and
their bells and cries? Are we TO go to
the opera house hereafter for the sound
at least Of their vanished substance. as
we go to Charpentier's Louise to be
reminded Of the cries OF Paris?
To be sure, New York long ago tabooed
it's New Years calling custom. the last
of It's Dutch traditions barring the high
stOOp. and only last week it placed an
interiict on dot leedle Che-man band"
Hans Breitmann! the English may reply,
but the answer does not satisfy lis. This
f. the age Of the obligations Of elders
toward their offspring If England ar
rogates to itself the right to ask Of Rome
what IT has done with its classical mon
uments, America has the right, and q
far more intimate one, 10 ask of Eng
land, Of London what It IS going to do
with its muffin man and his bell-dear
to it, both OF them. as part Of the tradi-
lions Of It's mothers home. to which II
looks forward when II makes the Pill
Rrimage 10 the country of IT'S origins.
The picturesque past IS vanishing all too
fast. Why hasten It's departure with
fines for the romantic muffin man and
his bell! We-English and Americans
shall be the poorer for their abolition,
the severance of another link with Il
cherished past.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
A WARNING FOR CHILDREN.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Children should be warned in their
homes and schools against the enticements
OF strangers. II this were done the trusting
little creatures would not be such easy
prey TO that worst OF ogres. the kidnapper'
Moreover. citizens whose suspicious are
excited could often prevent the tragedy OF
a stolen child II it were not for selfshness.
self consciousness. supineness. Afterward.
when It is too late to interfere. the recreant
person says complacently. IL often thought
there was something wrong" and is not
ashamed to say IT,
or different fibre was "a lady who several
years ago was seized with an instructive
fear for beautiful child That woman
was hurrying toward a streetcar. The lady
caught the childs free hand. which clutched
"A stick of candy, crying. where are you
going my darling?' AS she afterward re-
lated, che glared at the kdnapper who re-
leased her grip and disappeared In the
crowd. IL was dark before the lady. with
the help OF the police. got the child In safety
back to his distracted home.
Another timely rescuer was a faithful
family coachman In one OF our suburbs. On
a lonely bit OF road he CHANGED to notice
playmate Of his own little charges being
led toward wood by woman he knew
was not the child's nurse. He refined UP,
shouting the childs name and bowling Wig
orous Celtic threats after the figure OF the
woman who vanished like banshee among
the bushes. The released captive explained
To the coachman: 'S'e was dood-s'e was
doing to SOW me the faywies." That night
n band of gypsies decamped from those
woods. And the rescuer had won everlast-
ing gratitude from two families. NJ. b. b.
New York. Nah> l. 10U.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.

From The Tribune Bureau. J
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE Vice-Presi-
Gent and Mrs Sherman went to New York
for few days visit, after which they will
then return to Washington via Utica.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edison Bradley entertained
at dinner tonight the Italian Ambassador
and Marchesa Cusani, the Belgian Minister.
and Countess de Buisseret, the Swiss Min
ister and Nine. Ritter, Viscountess Benoist
d'Azy, wife of the French naval attache ;
Miss Alice Preston, Of New York; Miss
Mary Gwynn, Miss Marion Oliver, Miss
Louise Foraker, Prince Koudacheff. Rus
sian charge d'affaires; Major Won HerWarth
German military attache; Jonkheer de
Beaufort Netherlands attache; Stephen de
Hedry, Austrian attache; Brigadier General
Edwards and Gist Blair
Senator Kean entertained a number OF
guests at dinner tonight. The Speaker
and Miss Cannon also entertained dinner
party. and Mrs. A. Garrison McClintock
had a number Of guests at luncheon.
Miss Helen Taft appeared in new role
to-day and assisted number Of prominent
young women In society at a valentine tea,
given by st. Johns branch Of the Junior
Auxiliary at the parish hall, across Lafay-
cite Square from the White House. Miss
Tafts particular task was to dispose Of
flowers, and she displayed much business
instinct In so doing. Miss Eleanor Parker,
Miss Ieonors Finley, Miss Mary McCauley
Miss Margaret Cotton Smith Miss Webb
Miss Rose Greeley, Miss Marian Crosby and
others assisted at the tables.
Representative Richard Wayne Parker
entertained the Judiciary Committee OF the
House at dinner tonight.
Mrs John Gibbons was hostess at a large
tea this afternoon. when her guests met the
Dowager Lady Decies. who is her house
guest. A number Of prominent women as
sisted her.
Lady Decies and her daughter, the Hon.
Mrs. George A. Wilkinson, who is the guest
OF Mrs. Oliver Cromwell. spent busy day
visiting Mount Vernon, calling at the Brit
ish Embassy, meeting Mrs. Taft at the
White House late this afternoon, and also
attending the tea given by Mrs. Gibbons.
Mrs Cromwell will give dinner to-mor-
row night in compliment to Lady Decies
and the Hon Mrs Wilkinson.
Mrs. l.. H. Letter will entertain guests
at dinner tomorrow night in honor of the
Secretary of the Interior, and Mrs. Balm
ger and Miss Amy Townsend, OF New York
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
METHODS OF LEGISLATORS.

To the Editor of The Tribune
SIR: The ways Of mems minds as legisla-
tors seem to a mere woman inscrutable and
past finding out Must all the intensely
vital questions affecting the welfare OF the
people Of New York State be left to take
their belated chances for a hearing, while
all the fresh energy and interest OF the
legislative session is expended on a fight to
the finish over what every one knows Is
purely a party appointment?
In Washington recently ] visited our ma
tional Senate. The whole afternoon was
spent In discussing the French spoiation
claims OF hundred and ten years ago, and
the spirit Of the discussion appeared TO the
simple mind OF womanhood to be chiefly
personal vituperation and repartee between
two distinguished and honorable men
from the West.
Lately, from various points both East
and West, we learn that state legislatures
are proposing to regulate the projection
OF women's hatpins" and the length OF
gomen's skirts" Can any one make It plain
on what basis OF relative Importance our
legislators determine what questions shall
receive precedence In their deliberations?
A SEEKER AFTER LIGHT.
New York, Feb. q. 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12

know of no country against when the
indictment cannot be laid. frooapiy
many things occur there which anieri-
cans could not approve. The Mexican
nation belongs to different race OF
races from ours, and has different ira
dltions and standards. And even II mere
are some things In its system wi,ich are
repugnant to general principles OF nu-
mainly and civilization. that. after all Is
n matter for Mexico herself to deal witn'
unless # extends so far outside or Mexi-
can domestic economy rs to inVaue 'he
real I'm Of international interests. whicn IL
does not at present appear to 90.
Our interest in Mexico ana othrr
neighbors IL. IN brief, not domestic ouC
international. A century or less ago me
United States might have recognizeu the
right OF other powers to join III pro-
limiting the slave trade on the high seas
because that was an international mat
for but II certainly would have resented
and resisted any attempt OF other ma.
tions 70 intervene for the suppression OF
domestic slavery. Even anti-slavery men
would have done that. so we must rec
ognize the right Of our neighbors to tneir
"peculiar institutions" so long as they
are confined within their own bounds'
II ,s only when international relations
treaty rights, international law OF ou,
own peace and welfare are concerned
that we have any call to intrude, Ill
rectlv or indirectly. in the AFFAIRS OF our
neighbOrs
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
INFECTED SKINS FOR U. o.
Possible Source of Plague Danger
America in Exported PeltS

From The London Daily Telegraph" -,
rha following telegram Con the p''s" "a
c.h,n., ,yas sent by DR.. chrisue' ga -
United Free Church OF Scol'Ht.U "a rslSl
Noukien. to THE London ana N'.''''
graph: 49,. ,,,st ,irulert
nneumonic form The low tehllei" - thsI
nropably favorable 20 the acllNWs :. he,
bacillus. which finds an entry oM.7 S5a fo
lowered vitality of the lung tssut m keS
the extreme cold. the tt1u'i L.. 20 man
Mace through the air from maA no
'The bacillus is the same rs tn.t *
iubonic variety | expect an eu'u,,,s and
bUbonic plague later throuEh W., .sct No
their reas and also by dlretl ,,,vn even
recoyeries i'm this epidemic are KNOW" ssa,,,u,
after the lymph and anu-P'"s"
have been employed. .xtrerneiy
In the same journal appears ~ - frr-
interesting account ot the "ut'iNrf we
nishei hy Moukdcn corr p"nD, "a. Mon.
are being visited" he writes o,atts the
goIian form OF plague. Mnlch atee1i, ard
TIros onI causes death very rdlIv,,s ,I,o,
with terrible certainty. IL began ~, last
and Nanchourie, i'm the tar nor 49, here.
october. among the chinese se,ul,i,g vast
who had been engaged ~ ~ In rtagan,
numbers OF an animal called the -. These
"a kind OF maruot only biz larse, snter.
were killed at the instance OF somT nort 70
nrising trader. IL Is SAID, tor go that
America: at any rate. the onine +, Is be-.
n originated with these SKIS sar,s De-
lieved this animal stands W ~, the ras
Sces ~ he bmbonic type u IS Sssr,s'
R known 70 fact that the Old Noneoan eeP2t sps
which ravaged ElroDe some lew ,,ons and
since. originated from these nlHays been
il is also said that there has a"Scmic or
more or less a disease, either .,esi won-
now now and again epidemic; T., cen ls toward
golia. TO the south of khai,or anu issued
1eho The Chin,se officials nave an GER
nroclrmations advising me COZ" an lsols-
tain lines. and have es'a0lsn0r smains "
he done IL the possibilities OF q p"
dsmio In Tits city ere % - msH
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
The CABINET.

From The Tribune Bureau.
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE Secretary OF
the Treasury and Mrs MacVeagh have al
most entirely removed from the Italian
house belonging to Mrs. John b. Hsnder-
son 10 the new house in the same street
which Mrs. MacVeagh planned and built
as a future home. The real housewarming
In tho new home will take place next Fri
day, when the Secretary and Mrs. Mac
veagh will open the ballroom for dance
in honor Of Miss Helen Taft. II Will be
a stately and beautiful affair, for which
Mrs. MacVeagh has personally made all
the plans.
The Attorney General and Mrs. Wicker
sham entertained at dinner tonight. hav-
ing as guests the Spanish Minister and
Sefiora de Riano, Senator and Mrs. Crane,
Senator and Mrs. Sutherland. Senator
Brandegee, Representative and Mrs. Mann,
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Nelson Page, Mr..
and Mrs. Hennen Jennings. Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry Kirk Porter. Miss Emily Tucker
man. Miss Mae Williams and c. c. Glover.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
TIE PAy-ANERICAY COYFEREyCE.

THE PAN-AnERICAN CONFERENCE.
The commercial conference which is TO
he held this week by the Pan-American
Union at Washington is primarily
symptomaic Of the approaching compile
ton Of the Panama Canal and Of the
appreciated need of making preparations
for It, The two or three years which
NAV yet elapse before vessels can sail
through from the Caribbean TO the Bay
Of Gains will afford no more time than
will be needed for the readjustment Of
shipping and other business interests 70
the important new conditions which will
then confront them. There may be the
widest differences Of opinion as 10 the
possibilities Of profit in the canal, but
there can scarcely be any as TO the de-
STABILITY Of sending 10 that waterway
the largest volume Of traffic that can
profitaby use II.
Another purpose Of the conference rs
Of still wider scope and Of still greater
importance. The canal will promote our
commerce with South America. but that
commerce would exist and should be
nromoted If there were ana were. 10
he no canal at all. 1t is therefore wise
IL intended 10 have this conference con
slider first Of all the actual conditions
# commerce between the two continents
and the possibilities Of it, future devel-
opment not only on the West Coast by
wav Of the canal. but elsewhere ana by
all nossible routes. To that end there
win he discussions Of practical topics
and free interchange Of opinions by
government officials. commercial experts
and others who can speak Win au'ioi
fly and information. Nor VIII me con-
ference be necessarily limited 10 Tue
American states II Is recognized mat
south America has and must have II
large commerce with European ana
Asian countries, and the diplomatic anu
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
cBJC4GO'S COMING PRIMARIES.

The direct primary principle has Just
won q victory I'm Chicago. That city, OF
course has the direct system, but the
Republican organization planned to pre-
sent a regular slate at the primaries.
The plan had to be abandoned, however
because the candidate for the mayoralty
nomination In whose interest it was con-
ceiyed declined TO be put before the
people In that way. and insisted upon
entering the lists on the same basis as
other contestants. Probably he felt that
the stamp of regularity affixed by the
machine would do him more harm than
good. and if that was his reason 1t
shows the hold which the direct system
has got upon the people Of Chicago.
The primaries are certain to be in
tcresting. The candidate favored by the
Republican organization is John Il.
Thompson. Besides him the two strong
est Republican candidates are John +.
Smulski and Alderman Charles +. Mer-
riam. Mr.. Merriam is professor in the
University Of Chicago and writer on
political science. AS head of the so
called Merriam Commission he laid bare
the graft in the Chicago administration.
He would probably make an excellent
Mayor, and he would certainly attract
large support among the independent
voters Of the city. The Democratic pri-
mary will bring to life again the old
rivalry between ex-Mayor Carter n.
Harrison and exMayor Edward F..
Dunno
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
THE CoMMUNIPAW EXPLOSION
Hudson Maxim Corrects Statements Az
tributed to Him Concerning 1t.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: 7 desire to correct a much eNas
gerated statement attributed TO me
tive to the Communipaw explosion "hi'"
has appeared in several newspapers.
A reporter on one OF the New forA
dailies asked me over the telephone, aHioi,e
other questions, what would have probably
been the result had the explosion occurro G."
on Manhattan: especially. what would haVe
been its effect on the skyscrapers' a."
swered that the damage would unauestio".
ably have been very much greater "'u
that some IF the skyscrapers close 10 '.o
explosion would have been seriously shaA-
en-, but that the damage, other thah 70
window glass. would not have been very
widespread.
When the interview appeared In the paper
my remarks were slightly, but not very
much, exaggerated. The reporter made me
say that some Of the skyscrapers wouiu
have been "disastrously shaken" the woru
"dsastrously," being q little stronger thah
Seriously" made better copy. These re-
marks gained good deal sensationaiiy
when quoted by many other papers. Some
Of them m ide me say that had the ex-
plosion occurred on the Manhattans sioe
1.-THE loss of life would have been appall-
ing" Some made me say that the results
Of the explosion might have been such rs
to stagger the Imagination; others, that
II would have shaken New York like an
earthquake"
AS a matter Of fact. we actually had an
explosion in the densely built downtown
portion Of New York some years ago.
known as the Tarrant explosion. where, In
all probability, as much explosive ma
terial went up as was exploded at Com-
munipaw; and. although there was some
loss OF life, still the loss was not sum
Client TO be designated as appalling, ana
the results were certainly not such as 10
stagger the Imagination"
II ten times the quantity OF explosive
that was exploded at Communipaw, say
a hundred thousand pounds-and dynamite
at that instead OF black powder-Were 70
be detonated on the waterfront at the bat
tery the loss Of life would not be ap-
palling, and not many Of the skyscrapers
would De seriously damaged; but much
glass would be broken throughout New
York City, Jersey City. Brooklyn and
Staten Island, and an occasional window
pane as far away as twenty-five or thirty
miles, possibly a little further. The dam
ago TO life and property. however, would
be infinitely less than most people imagine
HUDSON MAXIM.
Broc klyn Feb 10, 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
People and Social Incident.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

washington. Feb. ll.-Mrs. Taft Is en-
PERTAINING for few days Miss Christine
Marburg daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Theo-
dore Marburg Of Baltimore. and two young
relatives Of the President. Walbridge ..
Taft and William Howard Taft. sons OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry W. Taft, Of New
York.
Mrs. Taft occupied a box at the Belasco
this afternoon to see Marlowe and Sothern
in Macbeth" She had with her Miss
Taft, the Belgian Minister and Countess de
Buisseret. the Countess de Chambrin and
her mother, Mrs Nicholas Longworth. OF
Cincinnati.
Mrs Taft presided at n dinner for young
people tonight. where there were sixty
guests. They were for the most part the
younger set to which Miss Taft belongs.
Dancing followed the dinner
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
NEW YORK SOCIETY.

That the season is on the wane and that
Lent IL two weeks off is shown by the
diminishing number OF dances, perhaps an
indication that not only the debutantes, but
also their seniors who have been out for
several years are in a measure exhausted
nv the uninterrupted round Of gayeties of
the present winter. That they no longer
enjoy the festivities that still figure on the
programre with the same amount of zest
and undisguisded pleasure as six weeks ago
is apparent TO the most suericial observer,
and the arrival of Ash Wednesday will
AFFORD them an opportunity not only OF TAX
ing a much needed rest, but also Of treating
entertainments to which they are invited as
a pleasure instead OF fatiguing matter
of business.
As usual, Frederick Townsend Martin sets
the ball rolling this week by one OF his
large Sunday dinners at the Plaza, and
will follow il tomorrow afternoon by re-
ception also at the Plaza, in honor OF Count
Albert Apponyi for which he has issued
r. large number of invitations. He will be
assisted In receiving his guests by Mrs.
John A. DIX, the wife Of the Governor OF
New York; by Mrs. william j. Gaynor. the
wife Of the Mayor OF New York. and by
Mrs. Frederick Dent Grant wife OF the
general commanding the Department Of the
East, who spent several years at Vienna
as American Minister Plenipotentlary,
where he and Mrs. Grant had the oppor-
tunity OF making the acquaintance OF Count
Apponyi.
In the evening the Magyar statesman, who
has been member OF the Hungarian Cabi-
net and president OF the Hungarian House
OF Commons and who is still Privy Coun-
cilor OF the Emperor. and as such entitled
TO be addressed as Your Excellency," will
be entertained by Mrs. Vanderbilt AT dinner
at her house. In Fifth avenue-a dinner for
which she has issued moro than one hun
dred invitations Among Mrs. Vanderbilts
other guests will be the Governor " New
York and Mrs. DIX. the Mayor OF New
York and Mrs. Gaynor, the Ambassador
from Austria Hungary. the Secretary Of
the Navy and Mrs. George Won l.. Meyer
and the Consul General Of Austria Hun
gary In New York
Count Apponyi will visit oyster Bay on
Tuesday to lunch with Colonel and Mrs
Theodore Roosevelt, and OH Wednesday
night will deliver the first OF his series OF
addresses in Carnegie Hall.
st. Valentines Day, on Tuesday, will be
celebrated by e. dinner dance, given by
Mrs. oliver Gould Jennings. ae her house In
East 72d street also by a valentine fete. in
aid OF the New York Association for the
Blind. at the Hotel Astor. Mrs. w. Seward
Webb, Mrs. Vanderbilt. Mrs. William X
Vanderbilt. Mrs, NJ. Orme Wilson. Mrs.
Archibald s. Alexander. Mrs Richard Ir-
vim, Mrs Herbert l.. Satterlee and Miss
winifred Holt figure on the programme as
patronesses and managers Of the AFFAIR.
The entertainment viii be OF a theatrical
character and will include a ballet, I'm
which nsmhsr u amaesurA many Of
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12

commercial representatives Of the latter
viii therefore he welcomed to the CON
ference
II is probably wise determination
that there shall he no resolutions
adopted which might in any way affect
the political policy of any country. 1t
is not the purpose Of the conference 10
dictate policies to governments or to
engage in political or diplomatic con-
troversies. Its functions will be purely
deliberative. educational and illumna-
tive. and It's composition gives assurance
that 1t will exercise those functions 20
the substantial profit Of all participants.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
ORR INTEREST ~ OUR NEIGHBORS

The statement Is occasionally made
that the prOtracted administration Of
Porfirio Diaz In Mexico * not merely n
political despotism. but an industrial and
social desp0tism as well, and that II is
marked with cruelties and injustice
which should ALLEVIATE from 1t all hui
name sympathies and cause Americans
to regard with encouragement and favor
the various attempts which are made
from time TO time 10 overthrow IT, Such
an account Of Mexican affairs has fire.
QuentIy been given by Mexican plotters
who lind asylum In the United States,
and also by some American writer's, who
seem characteristical inclined To tx
plot sensations rather than 90 present
convincing views Of pertinent matters.
Abuses do exist In Mexico. but We
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
lleightor.

What we need in American political
life to-day is audacity-unhesitatins au-
"dacity." says Governor Woodrow VIII
son. Is the Governor ambitious 10 ne
known as the Danton Of New Jersey
no,,tics since he successfully guillotined
the Hon. James Smith. Jr.?