davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
GOOD WORK is MARRIED
BY TOO MUCH EGOISM

To the Editor of THE TINES:
Wiley is gone. All hail! He follows
Pinchot into the seclusive and elusive
retirement of private life, where they
both properly belong; and thereby
hangs tale, the moral of which illus
trates the fate which surely follows in
the case of any man elevated to public
office by the American people who
imagincs that he is the Big Stick, the
big noise, the whole thing. and who
also becomes too big, in his own esti-
nation. for the position to which he
may have been temporarily called.
These men did their work, good work.
too, IT must be admitted, but the ego
I'm each case became too pronounced.
and they both lost sight OF the ba sic
principles of all administrative action
that - man is fit to command who is
not wiling to bow and submit to higher
authoIHty-in other words to obey
Wiley's case is particularly sad, and
is well illustrated by the cartoon which
appeared after Bryan's first defeat.
which depicted him butting his head
against a stone wall. and exclaIming:
D it, / talked too much"
G. q p
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
TEXT BOOKS NOW TEACH
THE EVILS OF ALCOHOL

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
That the percentage of habitual
drunkards from rural districts has
greatly diminished in the past forty
years is true relative to a certain com
munity with which I am familiar.
The cause, briefly stated Is that
about thirty years ago TIE teaching OF
the effect of alcohol upon the human
system became general and compulsory
in the public schools-gIaded and TN
graded-of our country, and children
then ten years of age. ard older, began
studying this subject from text books,
talks, and Interesting illustrations.
The then ten-year-olds boys are now
hIsine8s men IN middle life, and by
example and precept, as a result of
early teaching, are assisting present
day teachers in their work along this
line, and the young men just out of
school, needing the danger signals dis
played Ey teachers, greatly aid I'm re-
ducing the percentage OF drnnkards be-
low the mark of forty years ago.
The second generation Is now con-
vincing the public that the course OF
study adopted at the time mentioned
was a good and wise one, and tho ef-
feet is noticeable to observers Of suff-
cinnt age tn recall the conditions Of q
few decades ago. WHERLES.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
THE FINAL OBSEOUIES.

The funeral cortege, filing through the streets
of Washington today on the way to Arlington, and
the ceremonies over the bodies of the victims con-
tanned in the thirty-four coffns, mark the closing
scene of one of the most stirring dramas in our
tona history. The President of the United States,
who played conspicuous part in the territorial read
justment incident to the precipitated by the
Maine explosion, is the principal speaker of the day,
and others who were more directly associated with
the initial disaster will participate in the ceremonies,
or, at least, lend their presence to the occasion.
1t was only sentiment, perhaps, but so long as
the mangled hulk of the Maine barred its supersruc-
ture above the water level in the harbor of Havana
there was a sense of sacrilege-a feeling that the
at rest while they denied the sepulture they de-
served. A few days ago, the Maine itself, decked
with flags and flowers, towed out to and
buried completely and forever in the element where
it had always been most at home The work cost
money, but the people of the country were glad to
pay the bills.
Today the remains of the crew, after lying in
scattered confusion for fourteen years. have been
brought to the National Cemetery, and henceforth
will sleep under the oaks Of Arlington.
The American people will not forget, and are
not asked to forget the Maine. 1t will live COM
ponent part of our formative history. But, hence
forth, we may think of it more completely as we
think Of the dead who have wrought in building the
republic and may turn with concentrated efforts
to the solution of the problems which have risen
since, and in some measure because Of, the harbor
| tragedy of February is, 1898.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
LET "PHILANTHROPISTS" .
GIVE NEGROES REAL AID

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
There was a letter in a recent issue
relative to separate cars for negroes
Only few days ago I saw an article
describing a so-called follower OF Jesus
Of Nazareth as being foremost in an
effort to exclude negroes from a certain
section of the city.
Now, I was torn in Virginia. My
father was a slave owner. and a Con.
federate soldier. l am named after the
rebel" chieftaln.
My school history stated that a Ver-
mont ship was the first to bring a
cargo OF slaves to Virginia.
Do these grumblers and faultfinders
as to the negro ever stop to think of
the heinous injustice and scoundrelness
in buying and stealing the negro from
his African home: and the terrible way
they were treated In the slave ships.
and, in many cases, after they were
forced into bondage?
We have Salvation Army and mis-
sions, but not for the negro within our
gates" The negro has his faults, of
course, as all creations children have.
and yet 1t is worthy of mention to
state that intelligent beings learn by
instruction, not Ey faultfinding. back
biting" or blows.
Large numbers of negroes are living
in "snacks" which bring their owners
10 to 20 per cent interest in rent. Why
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
SOME OF HARDSHIP
OF THE WORKINGMEN

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
I noticed in Sundays issue some
things about the pension of clerks.
That is good thing. IL they would
look at the under man a little as they
go along. II q man can't save any
thing out OF a salary of $1,000 with
only three in his family what do they
expect of a man only drawing $50 a
month or 1920 year and from four
TO six mouths 10 feed and clothes to
buy This class works fifty-six hours
per week when the first work from
thirty six to forty-fve hours per
week and all day work at that. when
the Government watchman and fire.
man and such like have to work night
as we'll as day. Even a Government
10 aborer receives more in a year than
$50 per month, for they have all Sun
days and half Saturday off, when the
other class has to work Not that
the work is SO bard. but you have to
be on hand Just the same and by the
time you have to pay such prices for
rations you have nothing left. It
seems to me that il our House ana
Senate can spend $4,000 to pass a
$15,0 appropriation they could spend
some OF 1t toward the underpsid
Government employees as myself and
spanish American soldier, the proud
keeper of two excellent discharges.
ES-SOLDIER
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
BELIEF IN CONSTANCY
is NOT ATHEISM

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
am charged with being an atheist.
II confidence in the constancy and i'm
mutability of the laws of nature and a
non-belief that these laws are ever
changed or modified by prayer, is ahte-
ism. then I plead guilty to the impeach-
ment. If faith in the constancy Of ma
ture is atheism, glory in the title and
fling back in the faces OF those VINO do
not that they are inhibitors of the evo-
luton of truth, and it is they who rem
der reason impotent. I challenge theo-
logians to prove, from any standpoint
whatever. outside of the Bible Qor ii
proves nothing conclusively), that
prayer has ever been answered. Has
their God" ever interviewed to stay the
uplifted hand of the assassin as it was
about to plunge a dagger into the heart
of a pleading and praying" victim?
Echo answers, mol! Now, to conclude,
a few words about ''vicarious" (blood)
"atonement: Why was it necessary
that the alleged son of God" must be
murdered" in order to redeem man
kind from sin? What sense is there in
that kind of logic? Would any of
these SANITY theologians" be willing to
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
A SUPERABUNDANCE
OF SUPERVISION

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
A leading member of the Senate re-
Gently made a criticism Of enc Of :he
Government departments which might
we'll be applied to others. He charac-
terized it as "topheavy," alluding to
what he termed a "superabundance of
supervision" If more much needed at
tention could be given TO this phase
of the reform" regime of the past few
years in the departments, it would be
better for the service. Most Of the
Government offices are hampered by a
superabundance of petty bosses; there
Is everywhere an itch for authority
everybody wants to give orders, or be
''in charge" Of something; too few take
interest in the legitimate work. In
fact, the principal industry of the pres
ent regime is the nagging of employees
for petty, or ima ginary, faults, too
trivial 10 notice. while important af-
fairs are given second place.
Whatever of practical benefit may be
gained by this superabuncance of super
vision Is entirely too small TO make up
for the Disadvantages, for the reports
of these petty chiefs cannot always be
relied upon, by any means, being too
often colored by partially, on the one
hand, and by petty malice en- the other
TIE direct result is the painfIl spec-
tacle OF men and women toadying and
fawning IN order to get good reports.
So in America. with all our lofty in
difference to kings and princes, we have
come down to kissing the toe" OF a
section boss. PRCGRESSlNE.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
A CASE THAT DEMANDS ATTENTION.

Postmaster General Hitchcock has called Con-
gress' attention to the inability of the Government,
under present laws to provide any relief whatever
for postal employees injured in the service. The i'm
mediate occasion of his appeal for legislation is the
case of rural carrier drowned while on duty
1t is an inspiration for uncomfortable reflections,
that this Government provides procedure what
for relief of great classes of employees engaged
in hazardous occupations. The Postoffce Depart
ment has no provision for caring for injured en-
poyes; yet thousands of its most efficient and faith
full workers engaged in of the most hazardous
lines of work, the railway postal service.
Men are being killed or injured constantly, yet
there is no redress for them or their families. The
attention of The Times is called to the case of one
of these men, so severely injured years ago while
on duty that he has been unable to do any work;
hobbIng about seeking something for which he is yet
fitted, never finding it, and always informed by the
department that it is unable to do anything for him
because Congress has made no provision for the well
fare of in jured employees.
Private corporations have long since adopted a
more humane policy. Private employers, even if
humanity is not part of their policy, are subject to
suit, and can be compelled to pay damages. Not so
the Government, which may not be sued.
That this wealthy and presumably civilized Gov
ernment should persist in such archaic and in.
human attitude toward its employees when other gov
ernments and corporate employers have long since
adopted enlightened policies, is beyond belief. Ye
it is the fact. Congress passes employers liability
legislation to govern other employers; even make;
laws to benefit special classes of its own workers
but there other great masses of faithful servants
of the Government for whom no provision whatever
is made. 1t is condition that appeangIy demands
attention and remedy.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
THINKS PARCELS POST
is A PUBLIC NECESSITY

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
Congress is being flooded with litera-
ture, created at the instance of the ex-
press companies, making the preten-
tious claim that the farmers, merchants,
and other classes are opposed to a par
GELS post system. Our Congressman
should beware of these sinister in
fuences and give the people this much
needed public convenience. The masses
demand It, and action should be taken
as early as practicable.
The parcels post is operated success
fully in many European countries, and
II has proven boon to the people. We
would have had the advantages Of this
system years ago II II had not been
for the powerful express Hobbies
A parcel post would be a great inno-
walton which the people would appreci-
ate. II would bring the producer and
consumer within close touch, and would
greatly lower the cost of living. All
classes would be benefited, and all
would be satisfied. The express COM
panies have enjoyed monopoly for
years, and arc unmerciful and extor-
tionate in their charges. They reap a
harvest every year. making an average
of 80 per cent profit on their investment
Why pay millions in dividends to the
express companies? Let Congress de-
eide the question. DEAN LENRAF.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
PROTESTS AGAINST SPEECH
OF KERN ON PENSIONS
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Senator Kern's speech advocating the
increase of pensions is to be hissed and
condemned by every truly patriotic
American.
Is there no limit to the greed and
inordinate demands of these oNerin-
dulged, rapacious pension sharks that
have already devoured more than four
billion dollars in their Unsuitable NAV?
There never was since the dawn. of
this band has unblushingly put up on
this nation, and success has spurred
them on beyond the bounds of reason,
and such men as Kern are aiders and
abetters in II. -
And, above all, these men pose as
heroes and true patriots! They have
banded together seemingly for no other
sordid, and under the loftiest pretext
and siren songs they, by their unpa-
trtotic example have placed this Gov
ernment in a position where II any nrSt-
class power were to claim any dozen
Of our most populous States 1t would be
better to yield them up than go to war
to preserve them. The example set by
followed by 'Fthe Spanish war veterans,
would be followed by any army we
might raise. and the Government could
not manufacture money enough TO sup
ply them.
The billions of dollars that have gone
into the NAV of these heroes has made
the crushing of the South anything but
a victory, and the example of the sue
cessful hold-up sounds the death-knell
of this nation as a martial nation, and
our system OF government a dismal
failure. ". " l.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23

would be possible to ascertain who had signed and
who had refused to do so.r
Some employees very properly refused to sign,
protesting that the whole proceeding smacked so
strongly of intimidation that il not possible with
self-respect to attach their names.
The whole affair is suggestive of the sort of
clique rule that has prevailed in this bureau under
the czarship of Solicitor McCabe. 1t may be that
Mr.. McCabe has nothing whatever to do with this
particular performance, but the method adopted in
dicates that the McCabe methods have come to be
accepted as correct.
Employees of such bureau ought under no cir
cumstances to be dragooned into support Of any
Dr. Bigelow has insisted that he had nothing to do
with preparing the petition, and did not know of it
till it was in circulation. The more reason why he
should interfere, and decline to have such means
employed in his behalf.
There is every reason why the appointing au-
thory might desire the recommendations of the peo-
pie who will come most intimately into contact with
the chief but forcing advice upon the President
or the Secretary of Agriculture in such fashion, is
carrying matters too far.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
CANNOT INDORSE
ROOSEVELT TOUR

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
While / have always been a sincere
admirer Of Theodore Roosevelt, yet l
cannot endorse the action that he Is
about to take in making a tour OF the
country. He said distinctly, in his re-
ply to the governors, that he was not
candidate, but would accept the
nomination IL it was evident that
there existed an overwhelming seti-
ment in his favor among the people.
The result Of the first Presidential pref
erence primary, which was held in
North Dakota, is a keen disappointment
to me as a friend of Mr.. Roosevelt. II
is very apparent that this overwhelm-
ing sentiment does not exist. 1t strikes
me as being undignifed in the extreme
and a republication of the declaration
contained in Mr.. Roosevelts reply TO
the governors IL he should now tour
sentiment for himself. was sincerely
of the opinion that the mere announce
ment of Mr.. Roosevelts cadidacy would
'set the woods afire," but l am now
| forced to the very disagreeable con-
clusion that there is no general de-
| mand for his candidacy. He has been
too greatly handicapped by the charac-
| ter of the men who have been loudest
in demanding his nomination. Pinchot,
Garfield, McHarg. and Oscar Straus
i AL nave d
| Taft, and the public doesn't care very
much about men with grievances.
| 1t seems to me, also, that each one
of the seven governors was In hopes
that Roosevelt would be nominated f"r
| President and that he might be nomt'
mated as his running mate. Disappolnt'
ed office-holders who have been sep
arated from the pay roll and COVER.
nors who have the Vice Presidential
bee are not the right kind of people to
| mould sentiment for a candidate for
/ President. j. A. CARhOLL'
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
VICTIMS OF BLUFF GAME
RUN BY GAS COMPANY
To the Editor of THE TINES:

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
FOR long time / have read The
Times Mall Bag contributions, and con-
slider 1t a splendid idea to have a.
printed page whereon we may express
ourselves on subjects of interest So
should like to mention a subject that
we are all vitality interested in-nameIy,
Washington gas. In a recent issue OF
The Times l read that Mr.. Hart, an
employe. drawing a salary of 5000 per
year, had had his services dispensed
with under the new economy regime
of Joseph Letter, the great wheat bluff,
late of Chicago.
Understand, Mr.. Hart is no friend of
mine, for ] have never seen this gentle
man that / am aware of. But Mr.. Lei
ter Is not only putting out old and
trusted employees, drawing large sala-
ries, but men all down the line are suf-
fering from the effects of this so-called
economy measure he is adopting. From
what can understand, and from per-
sonal observation, the day of the galley
slave has not passed, but is with us
now, In the new economy plan
Now, knowing Mr.. Letter as many
people do, we know Washington is not
the first place where he has tried to
work bluff or run a bull game" to
use an expression of the street. We
know this state of affairs cannot last
always, as a most highly inflated bal
loon cmptIcs quickly. But In the mean
time IL is rather hard on those who
have served the Gas company faith
fully for years, and had expected a
position for years to come, or perhaps
for a lifetime. $3.50.
And who is going to profit by this
economy? Certainly not the consumer.
for our bills grow larger. and while the
meter registers, none can or will deny,
but we all wonder II IT is Letter hot
air" driven through our pipes, causing
registration to go on forever, as the
ONE WHO FooTs THE BILLS.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
OBEDIENCE TO DIVINE
LAW REMOVES DISEASE

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
That the Scriptures distinctly declare
that God is male and female, our Father
and Mother, and that he is not the
author of the doctrine of atonement /
have pointed out. The Scriptures just
as plainly repudiate the theory that
Jesus Christ is God. The Scriptures de-
clare that suffering, disease. and death
are consequences oil disobedience TO
divine law, Gods declared will, and that
obedience to divine law will remove
disease and suffering permanently, and
will destroy death. These facts each
one can prove for himself, or herself.
! am not a Christian Scientist. Christi
anity is anything but scientific. am a
believer in the God who declared his
will from Sinai. and there declared him
self our Father and Mother.
ROBERT WEIR
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
THE VANISHING CLASSICS

The classic quotation, like the old-fashioned
polished orator. has seemingly gone, never to re-
turn. Thus is not surprising to learn from Pres
dent Lowells latest report that barely per cent Of
the freshmen include the classics among their studies
for the full college course.
The classical education rose to remarkable
climax in the Elizabethan days. and there is one Of
the great relics Of this classic tidal wave in the
Boston Latin School, So it went through the colonies.
The Virginia Company endowed college for teach
ing Indian children religion and Latin
The times have become vastly more practical,
too, to large extent though many will agree with
President Lowell that the neglect of classics, as we'll
as mathematics, has reached "deporable' state.
The favorite studies now in Harvard are history and
economies next comes language and literature, chief
1y English and the Romance languages; and then
the group of natural sciences. This is indeed
change from the original requirements at Harvard,
when the degree the reward for ability to trans
late the Bible from Hebrew into Latin. And the de.
mands on the Harvard graduate of today as he goes
out into the world vary quite as widely.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
THE UNITED STATES
A CHRISTIAN NATION

TO the Editor Of THE TIMES:
The above title carries with it a re.
sponsibility which. ! fear, many Of US
little appreciate; but which, neverthe-
less, must be accounted for, either in
our own destruction or salvation. De-
struction, II we fail TO live consistent
with the name, or salvation, IL in ac-
cordance with 1t. Christian means fol-
lower Of Christ; he whom God hath
appointed for salvation 10 the ends of
the earth. How necessary then that
all who profess the name be true fol-
lowers of the Lamb Of God that taketh
away the sin of the world.
! would discard as false all religion
that leads its votaries into selfish graft
fications with little or no regard for the
welfare of others. This selfshness may
not be confined to individuals, but may
extend to corporations, associations, or
any organizations whatsoever, either
secular or religious. Selfishness has no
place in the follower of the meek and
lowly Jesus. who so far from being sol
fish gave his life a ransom for us. that
he might redeem us from all iniquity.
So Christian Is one whose heart God
hath touched and brought into a will
ingness to enter into service for him.
The Master s rule still solids true. "Ali
things whatsoever ye would that mon
should. do to you, do we even so to
them.' And all rules which hold good
and true for individuals hold equally
good ard true for corporations. organi-
cations, or even the body polite. All
these bodies are necessarily composed
of individuals, and II the individuals be
Christian the body must also be the
same. and even to a greater degree, for
in unity is strength.
I am persuaded that no government
however intellectual and powerful its
leaders may be. can long peaceably eX.
ist unless founded upon true religion
even a belief in that High and Holy
One that inhabIteth eternity, whose
name Is holy. who Is above all, and
therefore accountable to no one, having
all power in heaven and upon earth, and
none can say unto him What doest
thou?
Now, as Washington, our National
Capital, is largely made up OF Govern
ment officers and employees, l havt
greatly desired that II might stand
worthy of it's position as head OF the
| nation in good laws. we'll administered
under the benign influence of the Prince
| of Peace whose name we hear; also tha'
! our citizens generally may become more
| concerned to come up In the line o!
Divine appointment, that the day may
| be FASTENED when the kingdoms OF
| this world may become the kingdoms o.
| the Lord and of His Christ"
JAMES HENDERSON.
! Barnesville, Ohio. Febru&ry ., 1912.
The Washington times., 1912-03-23
THE SUGGESTION OF INTIMIDATION.

The prevalence of bad disciplinary conditions in
the Department of Agriculture is again strongly sug-
gested by the methods adopted by supporters of Dr.
w. D. Bgelow to press his candidacy for chief of the
Bureau of Chemistry
1t appears that roster of all the chiefs Of
divisions of the entire bureau was prepared in ad-
vance, and opposite the name of each was left a
blank space, in which he was expected to place his
signature asking the appointment of DR.. Bigelow.
The petition, thus signed, would be a directory of
the attitudes of the division heads at glance, it