davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
COMMISSIONERS
WOULD NOT GIVE UP
RIGHT TOPURcHASE
Report Adversely on the
Johnson Bill to Shift
Power to Congress.

Declaring 1t would increase TIE cos,
OF land, and be to the detriment OF
public interest, the Commissioners sent
TO Congress today an adverse report or
the bill introduced by Congressman Ber
johnson of Kentucky, chairman of the
House District Committee, providing
Tor the approval by Congress of the 10.
cation and price paid by the Distric,
for all real estate toward the purchase
OF which the United States contributes
The object of the bill, the Commits
sioners. say, Is apparently to prohibit
foem for r,niHna dr1m acquiring any real estate
OF the cost Is contributed from the
United states Treasury, and to place
the matter in the hands of Congress
to authorize the Commissioners, only
TO obtain options on such real estate
as they are authorized to acquire.
The Commissioners have no general
amthority to acquire real estate for nu-
demnation of land for alleys and minor
streets. the cost of which is paid en-
tirely, from District revenues. and as
sessed as benefits" tho board says in
a letter to Congressman Johnson.
"All other real estate for municipal
purposes is acquired under the direct
authority of Congress as contained in
and other legislation.
III this bill should pass, 1t would
take from the Commissioners authority
to make and conclude purchases and
permit them only to obtain options.
These options would have to run from
tie time negotiations were entered into
until Congress would act and no limit is
placed as to the time when 1t would
act. This period would probably be a
year or more, ard in order to obtain
such an option it must be we'll paid for,
which would greatly increase the price
10 be paid for the land.
THE Commissioners know of no rea-
son for the passage of this bill, and II
PASSED, believe, it would increase the
price of land purchased by the District,
interfere with the orderly procedure in
condemnation proceedings and generally
be to the detriment of public interest"
The Washington times., 1911-12-29

state official. He As secretary Of the
State conservation commission there
and the board of water control. His
mission is to confer with the Interior
officials on conservation matters.
1--WE think we are pretty good con-
servationists out there said Mr..
CLAWS. I'VE have just got started. but
expect to accomplish much valuable
work. We have a good water power
measure, which gives the State juris-
diction over power from streams II,
the State"
The Pinchot ideas of conservation are
being applied as far as possible In
California. MIR. CLAWS denied the re-
port that he was here on q political
mission. He sa,d he was not In politics
now.
While he is not taking any direct
hand in Alaskan matters, he said he
was Interested In them. He was pleased
to see the Cunningham claims were not
allowed to go to patent, and that Sec
retary Fisher was bent on conserving
the resources OF Alaska.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Will Read for Blind.

Miss Fannv Hagner will give q pro-
gram OF selected readings this afternoon
at the public Library IN the bi-weekiy
entertainment for The blind.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
CLAWS IN CAPITAL
FOR CONFERENCES
ON CONSERVATION
Visit Recalls His Ousting BY
President From Interior
Department.

Louis r. CLAWS. former special agent
OF the Interior Department. who was
,orsted from office by President Taft
and secretary Richard A.. Balllnger
after he had exposed the methods used
to try to get possession Of the valuable
Cunningham coal claims in Alaska, Is
in Washington comforting with the In.
terror officials.
Under the regime OF Secretary Fisher
in the department he has no difficulty
in gaining admission, in spite OF the un-
cereInunious way In which he was
obliged to leave IL.
MIR. CLAWS Is here as California
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Philippines Club to
Celebrate Rizal Day


"Rizal Day." December 30, will be
celebrated in Washington by the Philip
pines Club with banquet at the Eb-
bitt House. Members Of the club will
talk over "old days" in the islands.
''Rizal Day" had its origin in 1889,
when Jose Rizal. native patriot, was
delivered to the Spaniards to be shot in
the Luneta before the Spanish govern
ment hall. He had won popularity b.
his efforts to have the natives educat-
ed, and his martyrdom won him ever
lasting fame and made the day Of his
execution national holiday
Gen. Clarence Edwards, u. s. A.;
Thomas s. Crago, of Pennsylvania = DIR.
. W. s.. Washburn. of the Civil Service
Commission; Major Charles Lynch. OF
the Red Cross Society; Major w O.
owen. U. S. A.,"'ahd others will re-
spond to toasts. e.-a ~ r. s.~.t
DR. Daniel Folkmar. famous fdr his
work among the hill tribes, also will
talk 70 ''.. .. '.'! .. j. =
The Washington times., 1911-12-29

deavor to arbitrate in the case Of
Russia.
Under these circumstances to ratify
the general arbitration treaties would
put the American people in an attitude
of peculiarly .contemptible hypocrisy
and would rightly expose us to the
derision Of all thinking mankind; for
we would put ourselves In the position
of making sweeping and insincere prom
ises, impossible of performance at the
very time when, by our own actions,
we showed wc would certainly not
keep such promises nor translate them
into action.
II believe we can normally arbitrate
the question of the Interpretation of a
treaty even IL only as the preliminary
to adopting the very serious action OF
denouncing such treaty. But 1 do not
believe we can arbitrate with the In
tention Of abiding. by the arbitration.
such question aR treating all our citi-
zens alike without regard to their
creed, In the matter of passports, OF
such questions as the Monroe do Dofar,ne, ssan e.
mass, or the refusal of the states 10
pay bonds or many other similar
matters.
Foolish Arbitration.
In short, do not believe we can
frcrd to arbitrate questions Of vital in
terest or national hono-, or questions
Icy. Moreover, the attitude we are now
taking as regards the abrogaticn Of
the Russian treaty shows beyond possi-
bility of doubt that II we were 50 fool
ish OF 70 blind as 10 agree. rs an alb
stract matter, by general arbitration
treaties, to arhitrate sECh matters. We
shculo Instantly repudiate the agree
merit whenever a concrete case arose IN
which any considerable number of our
citiZnilS took an active interest.
Under such circumstances to pi ocecl
with the ratification OF the general arbi-
traticn treaties unameaded would be
not merely q farce, cut farce played
at the expense of our reputation for
national good faith and sincerity.
II believe most earnestly in peace,
| and In taking any step for arbitration
that will genuinely tell in favor OF
peace; and oppose these treaties be.
cause, II unamended, they would tell
against peace and put us as nation II,
an attitude OF unctuous and odious
hypocrisy. Both the Lodge and the
Root amendments should be adopted.
Just General Promises.
1T cannot be too often repeated that
these general arbitration treaties are
nothing whatever but general promises.
| These treaties are drawn in such sweep
ing terms, especially in the use Of the
| word 'jvsticeable,' that they might Ia
any concrete case be held to mean any
thing OF nothing; and to encourage the
kind of double dealing and bad faith
that is now being shown.
II believe W. were right in abrogating
the Russian treaty, Just because l also
believe the general arbitration treaties
are rot worth the rsper they are writ
| ten on. 1t Is rrant hypocrisy for this
nation to support the uDamended arbi-
tration treaties at the same time that
! wc ain &c te the Russian treaty, and to
DO 30 Is to put this nalior In a thor
oughly false ard di5creditaLle attitude.
"Hypocrisy 10 as revolving In a ma
do not bellows Il pays either man or
nation"
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Ten Conventions in
The Next Two Months

Ten conventions. representing as many
of the country's largest and best known
associations and organizations. are
scheduled to meet Ia Washington in
the next two months, according to q
report today OF the conventions COM
mittee of the Washington Chamber Of
Commerce ARRANGEMENTS for caring
for the delegates nave been completed
Among the organizations to meet here
are: Gt
American Forestry Association. Jam
uary 10; American Meat Packers An
sociation, January 15-17; National Board
of Trade, January IS; Federal Aid Good
Roads Convention, January 16-17; Grand
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons,1 February
10; Great Council, .. o. r. M. Febru.
ary Il.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Commissioners Would
Widen Benning Road

Depending on the action Of Congress
plans are being made by the. COMMITS
sioners for the widening OF Bennine
road to a distace of 1lO feet. from Eli
teenth street northeast to the Anacostia
river
1t is desirable, the Commissioners say
that the road be widened, as 1t Is one
Of the heaviest travelled thoroughfares
in the District. A report urging the
adoption of the bill providing for the
Improvement, was forwarded oy Iht
Commissioners to Congress today. Ihe
bill provides that the cost oil Q. me iame asa
sessed against abutting property a
benefits.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
ROOSEVELT SLAPS
AT TAFT TREATIES
Editorial Excoriaon of Peace Pacs Is Sprung on Eve o
Banquet of Advocates "Unctuous and Odious Hy-
pocrisy' Shot Into Political Vocabulary.

NEW YORK, Dec -29--On the eve OF
the widely heraliled peace dinner" to
be held here tomorrow night. and at
which President raft will be the guest
Of honor, Col. Theodore Roosevelt today
emphasized his antagonism toward the
general arbitration treaties which are
among the chief policies Of the National
Administration by bitterly denouncing
them as being designed to tell against
peace and put us as nation In an at
titude of unctuous and odious n.y.
pocrisy."
BY inference, at least Colonel Rcose-
welt severely criticises President Taft In
regard to the treaty matter Abroga-
ton Of the Russian treaty, he declares,
puts this nation in a position where 1t
cannot, ..in honor adopt the proposed
arbitration treaties. In his editorial In
the Outlook the former Presidt mt says:
Approves Abrogation.
AZ cordially approve the action taken
by Congress in abrogating the Russian
treaty, because p1en must vote and act
on the situation that actually confronts
them: and In the actual event Congress-
men had only two alternatives. namely,
to ahrogate the treaty. or to submit to
have become intolerable to our national
self-respect. ana which represent con-
tinuing wrong. especially to American
FcItizens Of Jewish faith.
~ stir believe that In SO serious n
matter It would have been well first to
endeavor to secure a decision bv The
Hague Court OH the Interpretation Of
the existing treaty. em confident that
such a decision would. of necessity,
have been in our favor. and, II SO, 1t
would have enabled Russia to have re-
tired from an untenablc PC sitton with
good grace and no loss OF self-respect .
an object that should always be held
in view in dealing with any foreign ma
ton with which at any time we nave
difficulties. while II the decision as to
the Interpretation Of the clause In ques.
tion had been adverse to us. we wouia
then at once have abrogated the treaty,
and have been clearly right In SO doing.
No Other Method Sought.
"This was the position held by that
distinguished diplomat, Oscar straus.
But no movement has been made by
either nation looking toward any other
method of settling the matter than
the one actually adopted. Congr ess was
confronted by the simple fact that UNI
less the treaty were abrogated condi-
tions would remain as they now are
and under the circumstances Congress
acted wisely and properly in declaring
for abrogation.
"But this action was taken while the
universal arbitl alton treaties are pend
ina in the Senate. These treaties are
ayowedly championed as being Of the
kind we are to enter into with all ma
tions. including Russia as we'll as Eng.
land and France. These treaties, "
ratified by the Senate unamended: VIII
explicitly promise, will explicitly pledge
the honor and good faith of the Amer
lean nation, to arbitrate precissy susn .,
moment we announce we will not en-
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Entertainment Ends
Meeting of Alumni

Presentation af a one"act play founded
on Dickens carol. THE Holly Tree
Inn,' appropriate addresses and music,
completed the annual meeting of the
alumni Association Of rhe Eastern High
School last night
The musical programs included a piano
soloi by Louis J. Potter. ir.. a contralto
soprano solo. by Miss Mabel Benzier'
and Tenor solos by DR.. Henry Jaeger
and Z. r. S. Embrey.
Dr. Small and Bennett Clark gave the
addresses. The east Of the "Holly Tree
Inn included Samuel Leonard, Sterling
Taylor. Theodore Chisholm, Elijah 9Th
W. Wilson. Bertha Oller, and Estelle
GrefSt
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Munsey's Notes Passing
Of Morganatic Marriage

"Morganatic alliances seem to be 60.
ing. out of fashion," writes F. Gun.
liffa-Owen, in The Munsey for January
In an interesting. article, THE Pass.
ing of the Morganatic Marriage" he
sayss There is now only one occu.
pant of a European throne who has a
mofganatic wife. That one Is the
reignlng Duke George ii of Saxe-Mein.
ingen, a man of eighty-five, who has
been united for the past four decades
to the former actress. Helene Franz,
whom he created Baroness Heldburg.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
C. Percy Dowden. Dead
After Long Illness

c. Percy Dowden, formerly an EN-.
ploye at the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing, but for several years an In.
valid from Brights disease, compli-
Gated with heart trouble. died at
O. clock this morning at the home OF
his half-sister, Miss Nellie N Reed
1927 r street northwest, in his fiftieth
year.
Mr. Dowden was born in Washington
and lived here all his life. Funeral SER
vices will be held Monday morning nj
the home. Interment will be in the
family plot, Glenwood Cemetery.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29

80 H. tEa
- - p - - .,.ats -E1szKsy -
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
.HARR|MAN'S only 80
BROTHERD|[ TO-DAY
Orlando, Rated q millionaire,
Passes Away After An
Operation.

NEW YORK. Dec. :9.-orlando Harri.
man, only brother of the late Il. H.
Hartman, died early today following
an operation. Hs'had been in falling
health for some time, but his condition
became dangerous four days ago.
Mrs. Hartman, who was Miss Rose
Barrellton, Of England, was with her
husband when he died. Mr.. Hartman
wes millionaire. and heavily inter-
ested in numerous real estate ventures,
including the Brighton Beach develop
ment ~
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Mrs. Henrietta Worch
Buried This Afternoon

Funeral ceremonies for Mrs. Henri
eta Worch, nonogenarian, who died at
the home of her son. Hugo Worch, 104
street northwest. were held at the home
this afternoon, the Rev. Paul A. Wen
gel, pastor of the Concordia Church,
officiating. Interment was made in
Rock Creek Cemetery.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Oyster Shop Damaged
By Incipient Blaze

Fire did $50 damage to the oyster
house of David j. Jenkins. 1902 Four
teenth street northwest. The fire. whicn
was Of unknown origin. was discovered
about o'clock this morning.
The Washington times., 1911-12-29
Policeman Easley
Buried This Morning

Funeral services for Policeman Gaines
Easley, OF the Seventh precinct. were
held this morning at II o'clock. at Mt.
st. Adams Chapel. the Rev. George c.
Bratenahl officiating. Easley, who
was twenty-six years old, was con-
nected with the police force for three
years.
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28

nc pause for until iuster aud faire
view be taken investment in Alaska
which Is necessary 70 It's development
viii be- impossible and honest admin.
istrators and legislators viii be de-
TERED from the advocacy and putting
into operation Of those policies in re
gard to the territory which are nocos-
sary to its progress and prosperity
This is something for people 70 think
about. The president believes IN or
fering opportunities for honest invest
mont in Alaska that viii develop some
Of the vast resources Of the territory
for the benefit Of its people and give
= reasonable return for the financial
risk assumed. He believes. Of course
n protecting public interests by pre-
'enting unfair or corrupt acquisition
4 undue privilege, franchise or right
the district Mr Tafrs view is the
My sensible one II regard 10 Alaska
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28
TAFT's ATTITUDE LAuDEp.

The New York Times has a remark
able editorial in praise Of Mr.. TAFT,
note Of thanks to the Democrats in
congress for their hclp i'm puuina
through the reciprocity agreement
The editorial is the more rcmarkabi,
because the Times. which Is indepen-
dent in politics. has not supported the
Taft administration. excepting on the
reciprocity issue After setting out the
circumstances attending the writing of
the last note OF thanks. and noting
that the president has taken the ground
that the democrats did not play poll
tics with reciprocity the Times adds.
speaking OF the president:
Clearly hc is not playing polrics'
himself. and the policy he is pursuing
il bigger than The average politician
can understand or tolerate. Here is
the leader of great national party
proclaiming that momentous victory.
whose influence it is hard to limit, has
been won by the aid and support of the
opposition party
1T looks as if this man held the in
.ercsts Of his country and its people 4
above tile demands of party loyalty. as
f. indeed. party loyalty were TO him
b means and not an end. 1t will Doc
O the standpatters stumbling block
md to the plotting insurgents it will
eem foolish but to the sincere and
PRACTICAL American it Will seem like b
onesty and common sense"
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28
THIS is MY GATH BIRTHDAY"

The Earl Of Crawford. the premier
Earl of Scotland aud one of the most
interesting members of the British pee
rage, was born at st. Germain- en- Laye,
France. July 2S, 1S47, ana succeeded Ia
the title upon the death of his father
in 1880 He is keen scientist and
bibliophile, an experienced traveller.
and an enthusiastic yachtsman, and he
is the possessorl of one of the finest
stamp collections I'm the world. He is
also a great authority on astronomy.
He was once am active president of the
Royal Astronomical Society. and also
founded and equipped the Dunecht OBJ
servatory, which he afterwards pre-
scented To- the British nation. Some
years ago he made a yachting cruise
To South America and the Islands of
the Mozambique Channel. where he Sc
cured n large collection of rare birds
which he presented to the British
Museum. The Earl is extremely rich.
but owes his wealth to minerals i'm
Lancashire rather than To his large
estates in Scotland.
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28

changes that will help to steady the
machines in gusty winds
The main obstacle to the use or the
oeropiane at present is the fact that it
cannot right itself when it is tipped
far over in a gale Anyone who has
watched birds ny in a tempest knows
that they careen almost on their backs
at times, but they never fan far be-
cause they have the power Of rightlng
themselves. This rs due to their capac-
ity 10 exert powerful sets Of muscles
that~are very it'll, used in ordinary
flying.
The aeroplano lacks this living
power. Its occupant is powcrless in
certain contingencies. lie cannot even
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28
this DATE IN HISTORY"

175O-Johann Sebastian Bach. fam.
Gus composer died. Born March ~
1856.
179i-RobesDierre and II other lead
ers of the French Revolution died ON
the guillotine.
1S2l-San Martin proclaimed the in
dependence OF Peru.
1S33-Commodore William Rain
bridge who commanded the "Constitu-
ton" died in Philadelphia Born in
Princeton, N. j.. May 7. 1774.
1Si4-Joseph Bonaparte. who had
been king of the Two sicllies, of Naples
and of Spain, died in Florence. Italy.
Born Jan. Z. 176S.
1S61-John "A. Johnson. governor of
Minnesota, born in st. Peter. MINI.
Died In Rochester Mimi, Sept. n. 1903.
1S64-Gen. Hood attacked Gen. How
ard in his new position to the north
west of Atlanta, and was repulsed.
1SS4-Henry NJ. Stanley returned TO
England from his expedition to Africa.
1Ss5-Sir Moses Montefiore, famous
philanthropist, died i'm England. Born
in Italy. oct. "a, 1884.
1904-The Russion Minister of tile
Interior, NJ. Plehve, assassinated in st.
Petersburg.
l9lO-James l.. Houghteling founder
of the brotherhood OF st. Andrew, died
in Chicago Born there Nov 20. 1855.
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28
DEFECTS OF AgRoPLANgs.

The probable recovery of BUD
Mars from the hurts received in the
fan of his aeroplanc may prove doubly
gratifying. For it win give ms the first
living witness to the mysterious -aero-
plane troubles that cause fails. Prac-
ticaly AN the'other air-men who have
fallen from heights. Hox3ey. Moissaut
ana tho rest. have gone to death and
their machines to such destruction that
no inference could joe drawn as to the
causes of the accidents. II Mars comes
back from the valley of the shadow, hc
should De able to tell exactly what
happened and possibly his experience
Will enable acroplane builders TO make
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28
FARMER STEVENS.

Who is the central figure among the
Americans Of today? Don't CUES.
without stopping to think some peo-
pie with very strong argument. to
back them, might say. President Taft
and truly he is distinguished through
ont the North American continent for
the success OF his reciprocity policy
with Canada. and throughout the world
/ for the success of his policy of arbl-
uration in place OF war But to speak
Of even President Taft as the central
figure among Americans is to use Ian
guage in a metaphorical sense Liter
ally the central figure at the present
moment is Samuel II. Stevens.
Mr. stevens is the proprietor Of the
farm in Monroe county. Indiana, four
miles south Of the village of Unionville
which is revealed by the federal census
Of 1910 as the center of population In
the United States. He has lived on
this farm all his life, for he was born
there sixty-nine years ago, and has
never cared 10 wander He was en-
sased in the interesting occupation of
his hay crop when the news !
was communicated To him that the
Experts of The Census Bureau had put
his hill farm on the map as the axis
IF the United States of America. He is
luoted as saving:
1t does seem kind Of funny. Here
we been a-livin' on the old place all
NY life, and now it turns out that it's
he hub Of the whole country. 1t sor-
err makes me feel that I'm an axle and
hat the spokes are a runnin' round
ne. 1t certainly is surprising. sure
nough. Why | can remember when
used To go out and shoot deer and
Wild turkeys instead Of havin' To go
o town when wanted meat. At night
on could hear the timber wolves howl
a in the hills, and it was an everyday
appening TO XIII rattlesnake. No sir.
never dreamed that I'd some day be
ne central figure Of the country. as {
ley say about me. / never thought \
lat such an honor would belong To-
he old farm, either. f,
Some men are born great, some 9
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28

change his seat to recover his balance
and goes down headlong Possibly
this Is necessary defect OF an inert
machine. but every man who has come
through such an experience alive is a
valuable witness for science In its ef-
forts TO overcome the defect
The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-28
HERE AND THERE.

France has decided to adopt the Eng
lish rule of the road. one of a new
set of rules for regulating traffic. which
however, will not come into force for
a year ordains that drivers of vehl-
cles of every description and those
riding or i'm charge of domestic ami
mails, must keep to the left i'm crossing
and to the right N overtaking and
passing" The speed limit for motor
cars will be abolished. and very sa-
lutary rule has been made for motor
signals i'm towns" says the London
Express. "A motor car must blow "A
deep-toned horn and a motor cycle a
shrill one, while bicyclists ring bells.
When they hear the signal pedestrians
insult leave the road clear."-Ncw
York Tribune.