davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
COMMIT TEE PLUMS
VANISHING RAPIDLY
Democrats Shaping Up AS
Signments Ways and
Means Meets Tonight.

Democratic members OF the House are
rapidly proceeding. by process of
elimination, to shape up the personnel
of some of the most important commits
tees of the House. The first evidence
OF this work will be presented to the
tentative Ways and Means Committee
at its first meeting tonight.
At this meeting 1t is believed that
the membership of the next Rules Com
mittee Of .the House will be agreed
upon, although the final decision of the
committee may be withheld for several
weeks.
One Of the problems with which the
Committee on Committees is struggling
IN connection with the new Rules Com
mlttee Is proposition to increase its
size. The present Rules Committee
consists of six majority and four minor
lty members. A number of Democrats
lear that unless this is changed the
detection of one Democrat at the next
session would deadlock the committee.
For that reason there is a demand for
majority membership of seven, and
present indications are that this will
be agreed toby the Committee on Com
mittees.
While the Committee on Committees
insists that it has not yet decided upon
the membership of the Rules Commit
tee, 1t is pretty generally believed that
the Democratic leaders have already
made up slate which they will insist
on being put through.
This slate consists of Robert Henry,
of Texas, chairman: Stanley of Ken
lucky, Hardwick OF Georgia, Wilson of
Pennsylvania, Graham of Illinois, Pou
of North Carolina, and Garrett of Ten
nesSee.
The selection of Representative Henry
as chairman is another concession 10
the progressive Democrats, Henry hav-
ing been one of the most prominent ad-
voCates of the Committee on Commit
tees idea.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27

Governments expense, and giving his
place to somebody more competent to
fill it.
Let us see how this would work.
In a proper reclassifcation, that
81 400 young man would probably get
more money; anyhow, the work he
does would earn it in any other busi-
ness.
Next, the aged stenographer who is
practically a pensioner already, would
be retired, say at $500 year for his
life, and a new stenographer, thor
oughly competent, would take his place
at 5000. There is an apparent expense
of 500 year over the present cost.
But it would result in a great increase
of the amount of work actually accom-
plished. Would the Government lose
or gain by that sort of methodist
The answer is to be found in the
experience of business corporations,
which have adopted, and are constantly
adopting, the plan of retirement and
pensions. 1t is to be found in the
uniform policy of business concerns, of
paying liberal salaries for the compe-
tent people.
Perchance this may seem long pre-
lude to the introduction of William
Loeb, secretary to President Roose-
welt. Certainly, however, it is not
malapropos, for in his most illuminat-
ing statement of this condition, printed
on another page of The Times today,
Mr.. Loeb makes the specific case of
our 81 400 executive with a $1,000
stenographer who cannot do the work
and yet cannot be turned out to starve
Mr.. Loeb has found that case, in its
variations, good many times in his
experience in Government business. He
knows that retirement and pensions,
with adequate salaries for the men
who earn them, constitute the solu-
tion.
, Such testimony as this ought to in
duce Congress at least to look into this
situation, to get the facts, to decide
on information, not on prejudice and
The Government clerks are not bad
or lazy. But they are organized, paid
and worked under a system that is
thoroughly bad and that would not be
continued in any private business of
earth.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
ABOLITION OF FIRE STOPS
is VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED
To the Editor Of THE TINES:

To the Editor of THE TINES:
Proposals to abolish fire stops should
be vigorously resisted. Amount of time
lost in this account probably does not
exceed one minute per trip. Time
has suddenly become so valuable to the
railways on account Of foisting on the
public a new, awkward, and unwelcome
style of car which, in addition to per-
mitting of additional Inconvenience and
overcrowding, adds considerable time
to schedules by the complicated system
of embarking and disembarking.
P. A. Y. E. cars sometimes stand for
several minutes at Ninth and F taking
on passengers, while cars close up be-
hind for two squares back. This delay
was especially noticeable when only
a few of such cars were in service,
as they fell so far behind that the old
style cars were nosing them along con-
tinuaIly. The result is that between
stops-as motormen have said In my
hearing-they have to run fit to kill
to make time" which means the cars
continually break the speed laws with
out punishment.
Then, again, the cars are continually
breaking down or getting stalled at
crossings, causing delays up to twenty
minutes, for which the passengers
get no recompense, and for which the
railways get full pay. The fire stops
cause such small delays (the cars gen.
orally not coming to a stop as to
make the total time lost in a trip in
finitesimal compared with the time lost
by the railway safety methods, care
lessness, or equipment out of repair.
A collision between fire apparatus and
street cars is almost always inexcus-
able, and generally caused by mat
tention or the motorman's desire to
make up time or beat the engine to
the crossing. Now, that passengers are
locked in tanks with small chance to
escape from threatened accidents, it is
even more necessary that precautions
be taken against collisions.
It appears also necessary to criticise
the companies for permitting extended
conversation between motormen and
fellow employees when the car Is In mo-
ton, and for heating the seats to un-
bearable temperatures in warm weather
ard keeping everything except the heat
ing wide open during very cold weather,
a truly economical but not comfortable
condition. w, E. ALLEN.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
THE PROPOSED RECIPROCITY
WITH CANADA.

Free trade with Canada is an ideal
toward which the aspirations of a
constantly greater number of people
have been tending for many years. The
agreement which has been submitted
to Congress by President Taft, looking
to concurrent legislation greatly ex-
tending the free lists of both countries
and reducing rates in the durable lists.
is long step toward free trade, pro-
vided it does not prove too long a step
and defeat it's own purpose. 1t is
most earnestly to be hoped this will
not prove the case.
The argument for the most liberal
trade relations with our northern
neighbor can best be stated in terms
of our own industrial development.
Suppose the Louisiana purchase had
never been made, that the great mid
die and Far West had remained alien,
and that from 1889 to this day tariff
restrictions had been maintained be-
tween that section and the original
area of the republic. Would the rich
and prosperous East be today richer
and more prosperous than it is? Or
would the magnificent region beyond
the Mississippi have developed faster
than it has?
Our own country has given the world
the largest experiment in absolute free
trade, and has presented its most strik
ing example of commercial, industrial,
and agricultural development-well-
rounded, non-sectional development. If
free trade between California and Mas
sachusetts has been good for both,
why not free trade between Saskatche-
wan and Texas?
There is one danger in the program
put forward by President Taft. 1t is
very apparently, on its face at least, a
manufacturers treaty. The fishermen
of the East and the agricultural inter
ests of the Northwest get least consid
GRAFTON. The Northwest has been the
seat of most clamorous demand for
lower duties. If now this deal with
Canada, in which the Northwest con-
cedes most and gets least, is to be made
the means to drive the tariff progress
sives into the standpat camp, it will be
most unfortunate ending of all
chances for better Canadian relations
in many years. To put the insur-
gents in a hole" would be smart from
the viewpoint of politicians like Aldrich
and extremists like the American Pro-
tective Tariff League; but it would
not be at all smart from the stand
point of a sincere desire for tariff
progress.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
Scholars in Panic
From Leaky Gas Pipe

NEWARK, N. J., Jan. 27.-The board
of education today issued an order
that all gas pipes and mains in the
diffrent schools throughout the city
should be thoroughly tested in the
near future, so as to prevent a recur-
renee Of the panic which occurred in
the Seventh avenue public school yes
terday, when leaking gas caused 1,SOO
children to rush wildly from the build
ing.
The excitement was augmented by
the efforts of those on the outside to
break in and save the children. Order
was not restored until the police re-
serves and firemen took hand
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
F1ERE'SONE TO TRAP
ANUNWARY FRIEND
"Who Ran Against Taft for the Presidency If Sprung
Suddenly Is Guaranteed to Trip Nine Out of
Z Ten Victims

You don't have to explode bomb at
the feet of the average Washingtonian
to scare him speechiess. No, indeed, all
you have to do is to point your finger
at him and pop this who ran against
Taft for the Presidency?'
You don't believe 1t will scare him?
Well, try it.
Ten chances to one. your friend won't
be able to speak for three minutes, and
when he does he will talk something
like this: Err, let s'see, who did
run against TaftT" And all the time
he will be making marcel waves with
his nervous fingers.
1t doesn't make any difference whether
you ask an ambassador, a Senator or a
Representative. He won't be able to
tell who ran against the present holder
Of the highest office in the United
States, and 1t was less than three years
ago that the race was on.
Nevertheless, this is Washington, the
Capital Of the Nation, and headquar-
ters for everything political.
Answers Galore.
The test was put to men in all walks
of life today and some of the most hu-
morous answers imaginable were given.
One man didn't think anyone ran
against him, another said Parker,
another Kern. and another Sherman
None could tell off-hand just who it
was.
When Who ran against Taft for the
Presidency" was popped at Charles
Gilmore, who makes his living by giving
lectures on the history of the nation,
he thought earnestly for three minutes.
and finally said: II really don't know"
S. b. McConnico. of New Orleans, one
of the men who wants his city to be-
come famous through the location of
the Panama Canal Exposition, was
stopped in the lobby of the Ebbitt Ho-
tel with the vexing question. After
pausing for several minutes, he said:
You startled me so, can't think who
II was. Let me see. the last time that
Taft ran? It wasn't Bryan? Yes. 1t
must have been Bryan. He's been rum
ming ever since I can remember
No Opposition.
Wilbur Atwell, S36 D street northwest.
was the fellow who thought two min
utes and then came forth with the en-
tightening information: Il don't believe
anybody ran against him"
Sprlnging OF the successor to the
"How-old-is-Ann?" puzzle on G. S.
Wilson, 1859 Fairmont street, an en-
ploye in the Department OF Commerce
and Labor, caused him to look blank
and say to his Questioner: Il believe
you are a bug but I'll swear, you've
got me-" Finally, after few minutes
OF profound. deep thought, he gave It
up, and when told that his answer was
to be printed, he said: ''Oh. don't do
that. ri get the life 'kidded' out of
me. But before that comes out, I'm
going around and find out how many Of
my friends can answer"
Look in the Book.
Frank West, 946 s street northwest, a
salesman for the American Fireproof-
ing Company, thought he could tell by
a little red book that he started FUN
bling for in the bottom drawer of his
desk. 1T seems to me it was Bryan"
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
WASHINGTON URGED
TO MAKE EXHIBIT
Extensive Plans for Munich.
pal Congress In Chicago
Next September.

New York, Boston, and PHILADELPHIA
have given assurance that they will
send municipal exhibits to the Interna-
.tional Municipal Congress and Exposi-
ton in Chicago. September Is to 30.
Washington and Baltimore are being
urged to make showings, and the NOV
ers in the enterprise hope they will
come in
John MacVicar, commissioner general
of the exposition, is in Washington
seeking the cooperation Of the Wash
ington municipal government. These
expositions are common in the old
world, and have accomplished much
good" he said. AT recent city
planning exhibit in London a wonderful
exhibit of the Burnham plans for max
ing model city OF Chicago, in its
future development. excited so much at
tention that Paris has since voted So
100000 more for improving and increas-
ing the cIty's attractions. European
cities have learned how to capitalize
their physical attractions.
philadelphia is to give a city plan
ming exhibit in May, and has approprt-
ated $4,000 for it. New York has an
annual budget exhibit which has proved
Of greatest value for improving business
methods, stopping waste, etc. Hundreds
Of thousands of people visit the exhibit
and learn what becomes of the city's
money, what is wasted, and what is
well spent.
THE Chicago exposition will be the
first general one in this country. II
will be a schooling for municipal ad-
ministrators, as well as the public
Washington has been presented as a
model city. and should have an exhibit
OF what 1t has done. Everything de-
pends on the District Committees Of
Congress, the Commissioners having
little authority to do such things. The
exhibits are by drawing, chart, photo
graph and models.
Like expositions have been held iV
Paris, Dresden, London, Berlin, Dussel-
dorf, and other cities, with excellent
effect on European cities. In making
cities attractive, Germany leads, and
the United States trails. only recently
awakened to the practical, commercial
possibilities of the attractive city,
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
THINKS THERE IS TOO
MUCH GOVERNMENT NOW
To the Editor Of THE TINES:

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
A people "overlawed" are destined to
become outlaws. 1t is the inevitable
result That government which is least
demonstrative; which appeals to reason
in the Individual: which begets self-con-
fidence and self-respect rather than self
condemnation and self-degradation, Is
the best.
In family, IN school, in church, in
e-everywhere-there is too much
government. Self-governed or not gov
erned at all is only another form Of
putting the thought so richly expressed
in the Declaration of Independence, "Al
true governments derive their Just pow-
er from the consent of the governed"
Proverbs, aphortsms, popular saws
have done more than all statutes and
DEGREES to control the world They ap-
peal to the better nature in man. As
illustrating the element of self-control,
few of these popular proverbs are
commended to public consideration.
A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he heard the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard,
Why can't we be like that old bird?
Unidentified.
The Scotchman's advice to a public
speaker might with great profiv and pro-
priety be Incorporated into every code
Of parliamentary proceedings.
NC CT speak I'LL JC "
say, and sit down as soon as ye ha'
done"
The advice given to children may be
wisely needed by adults as we'll:
If widows ways ye wisely seek
Five things observe with care:
To whom you speak; of whom you
speak,
And when. and what and where.
BE swift to hear, slow to speak, slow
to wrath. For the wrath of man work.
eth not the Righteousness of God"
This places swiftness of hearing on
against slowness in speech and anger.
Good advice by an apostle.
Solomon uttered two proverbs Of prao-
tical utility. Hear them
"a soft answer turneth away wrath;
but grievous words stir up anger"
This sentiment is intensified by ac-
cepting its cognate:
"A word fitly spoken is like apples Of
gold in pictures of silver"
Let these sentiments be placed In the
practical side of life, and we shall see
tangible results at once.
]. FRAISE RICHARD.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27

he said, as he paved over bunch of
dusty papers. "Still 1 remember read
ing that Bryan had run SO often he
wouldn't run again.
Edgar F. Luckenbech, Bridge
street; New York, is probably the best
posted historian in Washington today,
II the Who Ran Against Taft?' pug
was "braced' In the lobby of the Will
lard Hotel this morning it took him less
than minute to answer the question
correctly.
or course. the Superintendent Of
schools Is supposed to be wise on all
subjects, from that Of whaling a boy
to the fall Of Thermopolae. but he
couldn't name Taft's opponent. No,
for an actual fact, he couldn't When
asked, he said: "Bryan's name pops
into ones head until he stops to think
it was-let's see, who was it?"
And he smiled encouragtng1y at his
secretary. That just goes to show how
quickly the great sink into insignifi-
canoe. Why, no ones heard the name
Of Alton B. Parker for two years.
Of Course He Knew.
Harry Hine, secretary of the school
board, knew all right. We know he
knew. because he said so, but. of course,
he couldn't give out any information ex-
cept upon order of the board.
Capt. James r. Oyster, president of
the board, knew, because somebody
asked him the question week ago, and
he called up a newspaper office and
found out
James Richards, of Chicago, was GER
tain that Sherman ran against Taft,
because Taft and Sherman sound nat
ural.
Those who fell down on their simple
answer in modern history at once be-
gan trying the unique question on his
friends and they in turn tried 1t on
their friends nearly everybody IN
Washington is now asking: who ran
against Taft for the Presidency" The
simple, yet extremely difficult question
is spreading like wildfire
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
OVERGROWN AND STILL
GROWING FAST.

The national House is already toe
large to be an effective deliberative
body. For twenty years that has beer
the chief excuse for imposing upon il
rules that have gradually overcome it
and taken from it the power to manage
its own affairs.
Under the onus of a great public
wrath, reaction has come. The OLD
regime of highly centralized bOssship in
the House has been overturned, even
though at the cost of turning the dom,
inant party out of power. The Demo
Gratis have come into power, and AT
the outset they have moved in the right
direction by reducing greatly the au'
thority of the Speaker.
But they face the problem of reappor,
tioning the representation of the States
in the House, under the new census
In all probability no reapportionment
bill will be passed this session. The
Democrats will have the responsibility
for it. And it is very serious respon,
sibility.
Substantial agreement seems to have
been reached, that no State can be de-
prived of even a single Congressman.
Why? Is there any State that particu-
larly cares? We doubt it gravely. Ask
an average New York or Pennsylvania
voter how many Congressman his State
has and the chances are even that he
will not know-more than even. Sup
pose Iowa were to lose Congressman,
would Iowa really suffer by it?
The difficulty is mainly personal.
Members of Congress do not want their
State delegations reduced, because
somebody on the delegation would have
to be districted out of his seat by his
State Legislature. What of that? 1t
is no sadder end of a career than for a
man to be beaten at the polls; and not
nearly so expensive.
The Crumpacker bill proposes to add
80 members to the House. There will
be 33 reasons why the House cannot
be an effective deliberative body; 50
reasons why its rules must give too
much power to Speaker and Rules
Committee; SO reasons for limiting de-
bate in fashion at times most hurtful
to the public interest; 80 reasons why
the Senate will go on, accumulating
the real, effective, dominating control
over legislation; 80 reasons why tariffs
will continue to be made in the Senate,
which has no right to make them,
because the House will be 80 units more
incompetent to do the work.
Evidently the time is not come for
the people to revolt and insist that the
House membership be reduced. But it
will come. A House of 200 members
would be vast improvement on the
present one. A House of 500 will soon
be here, and that means a mob, neces-
sarily controlled by some power outside
itself.
The real way to save the House is to
reduce, not increase, its numbers.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
Mrs. Eddy's Body Rests
In Concrete and Steel

BOSTON. Mass. Jan. 27-Buried be-
meath concrete. steel and crushed
stone. the body of Mrs. Mary Baker
G. Eddy. founder Of Christian Science
and former head of the Church of
Christ. Scientist. lies today in a large
grave on the shores Of Halcyon Lake.
not far from the street passing the
cemetery.
It was announced at the funeral
yesterday that Mrs. Eddy's son and
adopted son. who had fought the plan
Of buryinR their mother in Mt. Au-
burn Cemetery. had at last consented
to the wish of the church and had
made no objections to the funeral be-
ing held in Boston.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
ChriSten Balloon

BERLIN, Jan. 27.-Prince Henry Of
Prussia has consented to christen the
new dirigible balloon Suchard. in which
the German-American aeronaut. Joseph
Brucker. is going to attempt to fly
across the Atlantic. The ceremony will
take place at Kiel OH february 10, and
in place of the traditional bottle OF
wine a bottle of liquid air will be used,
this being thought more appropriate
to the occasion.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
Returns to Affinity
For the Seond Time

NEwBURGH., N. Y, Jan. N:-After
whom he had lived for years, to her
affinity and then having taken her
Jack into his household. Wallace Mil
ler has instituted divorce proceedings
against Carrie E. Miller. Miller de-
clared today he had proof that his wife
had again sought the companionship
of the same affinity, who was a child
hood sweetheart
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
Fort Myer Exhibition
Includes Five Numbers

An exceptionally good program of
riding and drills is promised those
who visit Fort Myer this afternoon
for the weekly exhibition in the rid
ing hall.
Five numbers will complete the bill.
the first being an exhibition of Co.'S
sack riding. by Troop B. Fifteenth
Cavalry This will be followed by
fencing and an exhibition of expert
driving. after which will come "run-
ming at heads" and a musical drill
by Troop A. Fifteenth Cavalry, will
complete the program.
The drills will commence promptly
at 2:30
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
Amusements.

National-Frank Daniels, in ''The Girl
in the Train,,' S:15 p. m.
ReIasco-"Excuse Me-" $40 p. m.
Coiumbia-Chauncey Olcott. in Barry
of BALTIMORE" s:i5 .. m.
Tarnsworth, THE Panama Canal"
sSemyN"Superba," 2:15 and s:15 p. m.
Chase's-Polite vaudeville. 2:15 and S:15
p. m.
Casino-Vaudeville afternoon and even
Cosmos-Continuous vaudeville, 1 to II
d. m.
Gayety-"Ginger Girls" 2:f5 and s:15 p.
m.
Lyceum-"The Merry whirl," 2:15 and
Sis p. m.
Arcade-Skating and bowling, afternoon
and evening.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27

The graceful lines of Adam, over the
entrance of Pennsylvania's new capitol,
have been smudged all over with
prudish plaster of paris, while the
statue OF his helpmeet remains un-
daubed. Strange they didn't LAY It on
Eve" as usual.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27

Gloucester Immediately turned from
the reading of the reciprocity treaty,
and had her picturesque feet photo
graphed, so as to remember in after
years how It looked
The Washington times., 1911-01-27

The man who threatened the Bank of
England is declared insane. Now,
what must be thought Of a reciprocity
agreement which threatens the Sacred
Goldfish?
The Washington times., 1911-01-27
What's on the Program, in
Washington Today.

(The Times will be pleased to announce
meetings or entertainments in this col
urnn. Phone or write announcements.)
East WASHINGTON Citizens Association,
31s Pennsylvania avenue southeast,
cancert by the United States Soldiers
Home Rand. Stanley Hall, $3.50 p. m.
Exhibition drill and fancy riding al
Riding Hall, Fort Myer, Va.' 2:So
IA sketbaIl-Company E VS.. Ambulance
Corps, at Armory.
Athletic smoker of Southern A. C.. on
Pennsylvania avenue.
The Washington times., 1911-01-27

his lodger a bill for twenty-six years
board would have no trouble in filing
his house, even If he moved into larger
quarters.