davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Is Against the Fiye-Year Tenure
Bill, But Opposes More Strongly
the Innas.W0rkS Measure.

To the Editor the THE TIMES:
We agree with you that the five-year
tenure amendment to the legislative
bill, which has already passed one
branch Of Congress would prove. II en-
acted into law. a detriment to the city
of Washington, and for this reason our
company stands ready to join others in
protesting against this kind of legisla-
ton. The Washington Times deserves
credit for the stand It has taken III
this matter.
tued of The Washington Times on an
other piece of proposed legislation
which. II sanctioned by Congress. would
prove a much greater detriment to the
Sure s5y OF We refer @ to- tSe
Jones' Works excise bill. The damage
which this bill would inflict on the city
OF Washington could hardly be oVeresti-
mated.
AS for ourselves, we might in such an
event, Just as we'll close up our busi-
ness and look for more congenial quar-
| ters. and thousands of others would be
In the same position.
With such a law on the statute books
absolutely. nothing will be gained for
the cause of temperance, because Wash
| ington would become a veritable mecca
| for speakeasies, wild tigers, boot.
| Ieggers, ETC., and even II you Gyould
| treble or quadruple your police force
YOU would not be able to stop the illega
| traffic AS a result Of this illegal traf
| fic drunkenness and immortality woulC
| largely increase, not to mention the ip
| Jury to health, which the sale OF vill
| and poisonous concoctions will cause
| The Jones' Works bill will drive out tn,
| milder and harmless beverage-beer-
which only contains from 21s to pc
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
LITTLE FACTORS IN COST OF LIVING.

We have been overlooking number of factors
which contribute toward the high cost of living ac-
cording to the report which the committee from the
City Wide Congress, in Baltimore, has just made
public. The committee has made long and patient
canvass. 1t has discovered number of causes, for
which quite prepared, such as the increased
supply of gold and the abuse of cold storage to cor
ner the market.
But the man in the street had probably never
thought of few of the other causes suggested. For
instance it is set forth that the abuse of the patent
laws has had disastrous effect; architects make
no provision in modern houses for the storage OF
goods; telephones result in the ordering of goods
on credit without stopping to hagge about the price
growing uxuriousness on the part of the people
which leads them to ignore business methods.
When you come to think of it, these things may
have very important part in increasing the cost o
living.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
CONGRESS AND THE DISTRICT.

The House Committee on the Affairs of the Dis
trict Of Columbia held its regular weekly meeting
last Friday morning, lasting fifteen minutes The
brevity of the session due to the failure of a
quorum of the committee to arrive in time to trans
act any business prior to the hour Of adjournment.
There is great amount of grim humor about
the deliberations of this committee, which, in
necton with a similar committee in the Senate orig
mates passes upon all laws that affect the District
including the Nations Capital with population of
over third of million.
An analysis of the committee discloses the fact
that the orty of it who live in cities and
familiar with the exactions of municipal govern
ment. Should the council, board of aldermen, or
whatever other designated body that legslates for
their respective cities, treat the affairs of their cities
with scant courtesy as they treat the affairs of
Washington, these same men would be the leaders
in protest.
The occurrence Of Friday last is not excep-
tional one. 1t has rather been the rule. Bills of
vital importance to the citizens of Washington are
piled high the desk of this committee, but week
after week they ere ignored because it is impossible
to get a quorum of the committee long enough to
give the propositions proper consideration.
Such situation in any other city would be the
occasion of scandal and form the issue in munich
pal campaign. All students of government agree that
the problems of municipal government are the most
complex and the most vital of democratic govern
ment. The two Congressional committees upon the
affairs of Washington have great field in which to
work and splendid opportunity to give to the world
the example of model city government.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
TASK OF CLOSING
BREAKS IN LEVEE
+. PROGRESSES SLOWLY
Cribbing in Mississippi Near
Killona Torn Away by
the Water.

KILLONA, La, May 20.-With the
burlap bagging torn from the upper
side of the Hymelia crevasse and that
levee end crumbling rapidly under the
pressure of tho rushing water, the task
of closing the break progressed but
slowly last night. For the second time
the sheeting bound over the ragged em-
bankment point was wrested from its
position by the torrents violence, and
until the double thickness, re-enforced
canvas sheets being prepared I'm New Or
leans can be brought to this place the
upper end of the levee will continue to
be eaten away. The burlap baggfng on
the lower side, blown out once, is bound
in position with chains and hawsers as
firmly as possible, and is holding, al
though 1t, too, will be replaced by can
vas.
Both north and south wings of the
cribbing planned to close the crevasse
were extended a short distance today,
and probably $1,000 sacks of dirt were
filled and piled along the levee for use
when the cribbing is further advanced.
This practically sums up the active
operations on the work today, although
| Capt. c. o. Sheriff. and his lieutenants
| were obliged to give much OF their time
| W SOhSShlihIlO VI idDOT anu SupplleSp
| with all incidental details of situation,
camp and commissary.
Work on the south wing of the crib
bing, in charge of Junior United States
! Engineer John Klorer, was somewhat
delayed by an accident, which narrow
ly escaped being a most spectacular ia
tllity. One of the twenty -fve-foot hand
pile drivers being placed in position at
| the edge of the south cribbing over
balanced and plunged into the racing
| waters not far from the mouth of the
great opening. In its fall it carried into
the river two bridge men from the
Southern Pacif1c's railroad gang. Rob-
ert Allen and Gordon Laque. The pair
were forced to leap far out from the
levee to avoid being caught under the
heavy machine, and for several minutes
1t seemed that they would be unable
| to fight their way out of the currents
and eddies. but would be drawn into the
| crevasse and to a watery grave in the
chaos of its passage. They managed to
swim close to shore not. far from the
gap, and were pulled out by the other
bridge men, none the worse for their
ducking. The pile driver was caught
with ropes. and after some difficulty
put back in position.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
.E|GHTY:yEAR-OLD
PHYSICIAN BECOMES
FATHER Of TWINS
Doctor Has Theory of Con-
troll of Sexes, and
Gives Rules.

NEW YORK, May 2o-Dr. David
Allyn Gorton, at the age of eighty, is
the proud father of twins. the only half
expected result of a novel and absorb
ing experiment in eugenics. For expert
ment avowedly It is; a deliberate test
ing OF a philosophers theories for the
improvement of the human race.
But the babies? Let science wait a
minute. These babies are the most
wonderful babies in the world, DR..
Gorton and his wife who is approach
ing middle age, believe so just as surely
as any bridal couple of twenty. They
are as perfectly formed and healthy as
any two babies could be, and each
weighed exactly six and half pounds
when they arrived on April 8 at the
Gorton apartment, 6S2 Eleventh street,
Brooklyn.
Among DR.. Gortons medical theories
is the one that sex of offspring can be
determined at the will OF the parents
He set about to bring into the world a
son-and a son there is. The youngster
looks as much like his father as any any
verv small pea can resemble big pea
in the same pod. He has been nameo
Allyn, for his father.
But the doctors theory didn't cover
numbers, and to his surprise , Sin sha
She has been named Leonora. She
is more delicate and feminine than her
brother, and the veriest amateur judge
at n baDy snow COul0 tell az u Bihutc
which is the boy and which the girl.
though both have the finely shaped
head OF their father.
When DR.. Gorton married Miss Bartha
| july 20 the public heard nothing of the
solemn determination of the couple to
experiment with the pet theories of the
distinguished old physician and philoso.
pher, who has long been a radical
| thinker and an agitator in his profes-
| sion. The newspapers made 1t out a
| romance. It now appears, from the
| couples explanation. to have been a
romance of deeper order: Dr. Gorton
| had been looking about deliberately for
the proper mother for the child of his
| ideai-the son who should be brought
into being endowed with everything
brought up according to the doctors's
pet theories,
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
oHIo.-AND THE THINGS AFTERw ARD

1t is inevitable that the tensty and bitterness
of the pre-convention campaign should be focused
in Ohio. 1t is perhaps today the most deeplystrred
community in the nation, not over mere party and
factona politics, but over the bigger and broader
things that concern the community. There is more
of the spirit of Kansas abroad in Ohio today than
there is in Kansas Kansas has been through the ex-
perence Ohio is just in the midst of it.
Ohio, moreover, is the home of the President;
rather nominaly his home, to be sure, but yet what
ever of appeal State pride may make is in his be-
half The unwonted character of the intellect
ual ferment that has seized upon the State is sug-
gested by recent remark of a shrewd Ohio OBJ
server, when asked about the situation there.
"O," he replied State pride is cutting a big
figure. It's the thing that will defeat Taft!'
Overstated no doubt; but it suggests how vastly
different sort Of State pride has up to take
the place of that which the politicians were formerly
able to manipulate, utilize to direct turn for
to the service of things least justfyng pride.
President Taft has declared, in all sincerity and
honesty, that he cannot wherein he has failed.
Certainly he cannot. He is appealing throughout
the State to the odfashoned sort of State pride, and
expects il to help him. He more understand
wherein he has failed than he can understand that
State pride in the Ohio of this year might defeat
him. O.
There are people whb do understand these
things. They are the ones to whom the country is
turning at this juncture They are responsible for
the new State pride in Ohio, that Mr.. Taft cannot
understand. That same State pride is getting abroad
all the land. 1t is superior to the petty radi-
tons, fetches, and superstons of little politics; its
relations are with patriotism, not politics. and it is
the force that we will see working in its highest in
tensty in Ohio tomorrow, and in the nation during
the long campaign that is ahead
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
THE WONDERS OF KANSAS.

William c. Frazier, farmer, appeared before
the Atchison, Kan, board of tax review, and asked
that his assessment be raised. He complained that
it was too low, and the board, without discussion,
granted him the increase
Such an instance of course, could come only
from Kansas. Yet there is much to be said in favor
Of letting every man fix the taxation value of his
own property.
Just provide that every owner should fix the
taxable valuation of each piece of his real estate
and append to that the restriction that he would be
required to sell it for this figure plus, say 10 per
cent at any time during the period to whomsoever
might make the offer in cash, and there would be a
wondrous readjustment of figures on the assessmen,
books. Rates would 60 down as values went up
and there would be power less of dodging taxes
manipulating assessments
The Washington times., 1912-05-20

because the long-and-short-haul provision Of the
commerce law will compel adjustments to the new
conditions.
AS to the danger Of the canal gravely injuring the
railroads by taking a great volume of traffic from
them it is answered that this possibility is not nearly
so serious as when the country deliberately deter
mined to build the ditch Since then, the volume Of
traffic has grown so much that the railroad problem
is one of getting money and materials to expand
facilities in the degree that increasing business de-
mands. That situation will continue indefinitely.
There is going to be business for the canal and the
railroads. and the public is entitled to THE best serv
ice from BOTH Especially should appeals to section
aIism be discouraged.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Preliminary Program
At Cabin of. Poet

A preliminary dedication of the Joa-
quin Miller cabin in Rock Creek Park
was held yesterday afternoon at 2
O'Clock. The recent announcement of
postponement caused some confliction.
1t was believed that the weather yes
terday would be bad, and consequently
a postponement until June ? was an
nounced. But when It was seen that
the afternoon would be clear a large
number tourneyed out to the cabin.
Rather than disappoint the many Cal
ifornians who were present a prelim-
mary service was held.
NJ F. ODonoghue, president of the
California State Association, presided.
A. j. Boyer. historian for the asso-
citation, read an essay on the life OF
Miller. He also recited several of Mil
ler's poems. Mrs. Harriet Hosmer
Leland, sister of the poet. recited a
number of her brothers poems,
June the official dedication of the
cabin will take place, at which the Cal
nornia Congressional delegation will
speak.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Removes All Sense Of Perm8nency
From Employees Of the Govern.
menf

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
1t seems to me that the proposition
before Congress to institute a policy of
limiting to fve-year tenure the term
OF office Of civil service employees of the
Government is unphilosophical, and sub
versive of the best interests of the Gov
ernment, as well as unjust to the en-
ployes whom 1t concerns.
AS a rule, minor public officials should
be encouraged to look upon their en-
ployment as their life work, in order
that they may give to the public the
benefit of their undivided official zeal
and experience. To do otherwise is to
expose them to temptations to official
indifference or transgression, as 1t would
remove from them the hope of per-
manency which is the strongest incen-
tive to do good work. The best guaran-
tee the Government can secure for the
fidelity and efficiency of its employees is
their assurance that their tenure Of Of
fee depends only upon their devotion to
duty.
So far as my observations extend. the
officials of this class are exceptionally
competent, SO that the enactment of the
proposed law could hardly be based
upon the demand for Improvement ir
, the service. To the extent that the
service contains employees who are in
capable of giving TO the Government az
adequate return for their compensation
because of age or other physical ol
mental incompetency, II would not bt
difficult for Congress to make provision
| for their retirement.
WILLIAM T1NDALL.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20

cent of alcohol, and leave the field open
to Injurious patent medicines and the
worst kind of spirits.
The writer has now been in the brew
Ing business in this city for the past
forty years, and claims that, because of
this fact, he has done more for real
temperance than all the so-called tenn
perance preachers together. Those good
people many mean well, but in my
opinion their efforts are misdirected for
the simple reason that they believe II
possible to make people good by law.
II they preached the virtue of modera-
tion and sobriety. In which we so thor
oughly believe, they would accomplish
Infinitely more for the cause which
they wish to further.
And will you please tell me what will
become Of the 5000 employees who de-
rive a livelihood from the business at
tackled? The loss in rents, In unpaid
obligations, and in business. wholly
aside from the liquor traffic, cannot
easily be estimated, and will the meas.
ure not increase the army of the discon-
tented and Socialists?
II The Times wished to render a real
and substantial service to the. people OF
Washington, II would Immediately use
its great influence for the purpose oi
defeating measure whose enactment
II well knows. would be a calamity tc
all business interests of the Nationa
Capital.
II prohibition is desired to be OBJ
tained, which would make our grea
city the laughing-stock Of the civilized
world, let the people vote upon such g
| purpose by cowardly indirection. Your!
very truly, G. HEURICH.
President Chr. Heurich Brewing
Company
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Every Incentive to Good Work
WOuld Re Removed,

To the Editor the THE TIMES:
Referring to your editorial May l6
on the five-year tenure bill, we want
to express our protest to a proposition.
which, If carried into effect, would be
most disastrous not only to the city of
Washington by compelling such a large
number of people to become a floating
population, but to the 5000 employees of
the Government, each of whom with no
possibility OF advancement would lose
all incentive to do good work.
The Government work would suffer
by constant disintegration of its trained
forces.
Such a policy would be suicide to any
large business enterprise and would
inefflcency.
FIDELITY STORAGE COMPANY,
JAMES L. KARRICK, President.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
.SAENGERBUND HOLDS
ANNUAL EXCURSION
Delightful Affair at Chesapeake
Beach Attended by 1900
Members and Friends.

The excursion Of the Washington
Saengerbund to Chesapeake Beach is
rated as in every way delightful af-
fair today by the 1900 members and
guests of the singing society who took
the trip yesterday. Special cars car
ried the party to the beach early In
the day, and the afternoon and evening
were occupied with informal musical
program and a baseball game. The mar.
ried men OF the Saengerbund proved
that family cares have not diminished
their prowess on the diamond. They
defeated the single men by a score OF
Z to in a game filled with features
seldom seen on a baseball field.
Singing by the Saengerbund chorus
and instrumental music completed tht
program. Henry A. Scheuermann and
his associates on the committee Of ar
rangements were congratulated on the
success of their plans.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
For Stability in Any Business a
Trained, Constant Force is Neces.


To the Editor OF THE TINES:
II were TO express my sentiments
regarding the scheme for a "fve-years
trn.re in the civil service I would say
that It reminds me in some way of the
Intelligent foresight which has char
acterized this Government In its deal,
ings with the Mississippi river. 1t iS of
an essentially temporary character, as
II the GOverlrIcnt itS.rf were a thing
" hiCh might change over night.
For stability in Eny business trained
force. loyal, constant. trustworthy, and
always ION the job is absolutely in
dispensahle. '.urT mt cnnrEes may he
needed in any force. But every bust
ness which has made n success has
done go through the character and
standing of its employees All much as
through any other one circumstance Of
its career. II government is business
and not mere politics. as some seem to
think. the same principles must hold
good and the first equation of its being
II the personal equation. A stable
force, kept up to standard of re-
uuirements which will adu!rt only the
lest materials, is n tower Of strength
to any government, lust as 1t is to
any business, and government with
out such a force is like a house "
sand. The "fve-ycar tenure" scheme
is utterly 'ndefensible. and could not
be seriously considered for one mo-
nent except by scheminE politicians ).
who are half knnve. half fool.
J. A. MCKNIGHT.
With w. B. Moses & Sons.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Million Dollar Fire
In Houston, Texas

HOUSTON, Tex, May 0.-Nearly
million dollars damage was done here
yesterday by a fire which started In ths
Showers furniture building, at Main and
Capitol streets, in the central business
section. The whole fire fighting appara-
tus of the city was called out, and for
time it was feared the blaze would
get beyond the control of the firemen q,
The Showers building, four-story
structure. the Temple building, four
story office and store building, and the
Latham building. three-story struc-
ture were destroyed.
The top four floors of the Texas Oil
Company's twelve-story building. occu-
pied by the offices of the corporation
and one of the handsomest in the South
were gutted.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
What's on the Program, IN
Washington Today

The following Masonic organizations
will meet tonight: Lodges-Potomao,
No 5, F. c.; Benjamin B. French, No.
15 NJ. M; Anacostia, No. 21, F. c.;
Pentalpha. No. o, NJ. NJ. Knights
Templar-Orient Commandery, No. g.
Red Cross. Eastern Star-Ruth Chap
ter. No. l.
The following I. o. o. F. organizations
will meet tonight: Lodges-Covenant.
No. IS, degree work; Union, No. II;
Beacon. No. Is, and Langdon, No. rs,
Lodge, No. !, business.
The following knights OF Pythias
lodges will meet, tonight; Equal No.
II; Amaranth. No. q, knight rank
Century, No. 80, business.
The following Red Mems organizations
will meet tonight: Usage Tribe, No. 6,
Fifth and G streets northwest; Oneita
Council, No. 2, Masonic Temple Ana
costa.
Weekly meeting of Central Labor
Union, Typographical Temple, 423-425
G street northwest p. m.
Dolly Madison Breakfast, New Willard,
noon.
East Washington Citizens Association
meets at East Washington Hall, 3l4
Pennsylvania avenue southeast, p. m
Concert by Soldiers Home Band, band
stand, D. m
Concert by Marine Band, Marine Bar.
racks, 4:S0 D. m.
Regular monthly meeting of Takoms
Park Citizens Association, assembly
Hall, Takoma Park library, S:l5 p. m
Meeting of officers of various hives oi
Ladies' of the Maccabees of the World
Pythian Temple, p. m.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Planning Employment
For Railroad Men

To obtain employment for the Ameri-
can locomotive engineers and corduc-
tors who were thrown out Of work as a
resnlt of the strike on the national
railways of Mexico. the State Depart
ment. by direction of President Taft
Yesterday mailed letters to the heads
of $50 rallriads III the United States en-
listing their aid.
The department is already in touch
With eighty engineers an9 eighty-threa
towns In Texas. Henry Lane Wilson,
American ambassador at Mexico City,
tried in vain to have President Madero
fused to act. One of the principal rel-
sons the men quit work was because
they were required to learn the Spanish
language.
The Washington times., 1912-05-20
Events of History
Occurred This Date

Two years ago today the funeral OF
King Edward VII was held in London.
On May 20, 1857 the cornerstone of Le-
land Stanford University was laid at
Palo Alto, Cal. On this day, lT5, arti-
cIes of confederation and union were
agreed upon by the American colonies.
Four hundred and eleven years ago
Ascension Island was discovered by the
Portuguese. Two years before that, on
Nav 20, Alonzo de Ojeda and Amertcus
Vespucci, who wrote the first account OF
the New World. explored the coast line
OF part Of the new continent.
One year ago today Madero, the lead
er of the Mexican revolution that re-
suited in the defeat of Diaz, bade fare
we'll to his soldiers at Juarez.