davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

very Pronounced in Costa Rica just north
of here. AS an evidence Of the stability
OF construction on the isthmus you must
have seen the arch in the old church at
Panama. 1t is the widest, lowest and
nearest horizontal OF any arch known to
architecture. It is. perhaps, forty feet
long, and consists Of one span without
any support except at the ends. That
arch is 200 years old and 1t is still firm
notwithstanding most of the church Is in
ruins. I would say, however. that the
Panamans have tradition that that arch
fell twice during its construction, and
that at last, in despair, the monk who
was the architect got down on his knees
and prayed to the Lord to help him. In
his prayer he said that he would build
the arch once more, and he begged the
Lord to cause it to stand although the rest
of the church might crumble to atoms.
Many of the natives believe that prayer is
the cause of the stability Of the arch
Some of our Catholic friends are now
erecting a church here on the zone. II
that will make the earth more firm and
strengthen Culebra 1 should be glad to
have them cover the hills Of the cut with
churches from one end to the other.
Seriously speaking, I do not think there
is any danger from earthquakes"
But, colonel. are you sure as to the
Gatun dam? VIII it be strong enough to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
SEISnOGRAPH STATION. GATUN LAKE.

hold back that 1874 square miles Of water
which will be stored up in the lake?'
There Is no doubt about the dam, y
said Col. 0oethals. ct has been made
according to the regulations which pro-
.v.ded that it should be barrier which
would convince beyond doubt both legis-
lators and laymen of it's stability. l be-
lieve we could have made dam Of less
size for less money which would have
satisfied the engineers. but the designers
considered this dam desirable and it has
been constructed. The factor of safety
In 1t is far beyond the absolute necessity.
There has been a great interest in the
dam and it has been given more prom
inence among the engineering features
Of the work than is warranted by its
construction. 1t is nothing but hill built
across the valley with the spllway In
the middle. You understand how it is
made We have formed two great dumps
of the waste material, mostly the rock
from Culebra, and the lock site and Mindi
on the outer lines of the structure, and
have filled in the space between these
dumps with the material from the n.y.
draulic dredges.. The spillway is SO ar
ranged that it controls the height OF the
lake, and at the same time gives us cleo
trio power sufficient for the machinery of
the canal, including the locks. The locks
ares among the most interesting features.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
On His recommendation.

GONE of the most successful business
~ men in New York owes a good
part Of his success to q mistake made
in my salad days as q private detective"
said the shrewd-loking man. HE was
employed In a very unremunerative ca
pacity. by q wholesale merchant. There
came a time when the merchant wished
to promote somebody. but he didn't know
who deserved it most He put the case
to the manager Of a private detective
agency, and I was detailed to shadow
the clerks and find out which Of them
talked shop most enthusiastically after
working hours
shadowing I recommended my lowly
the time with an intelligence / had never
heard eQualed. The report was turned
in to my chief, but two days later the
merchant requested an interview with
me. went around to his store and there
sat my clerk at his right hand, figuring
away for dear life. l nearly tainted
when I found they were dealing in dry
goods. don't know whether the chiefs
explanation had lacked lucidity or
whether my wits had gone woolgather-
that the man employing him was
brewer. Anyhow, that was all the young
man talked about. and had recommend
ed him on the superstition that what he
didn't know about beer wasn't worth
knowing. Never once had 1 heard him
mention dry goods, but I took mighty
good care not to let the merchant know
1t. Nobody ever could understand how
the plodding clerk happened to be Sc
lected for promotion: he couldn't under
stand II himself. but he had made the
best OF the opportunity, SO no one ever
had occasion to regret it."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

ceS in which ne consented 10 take ONCE
have been or soon will be removed with
the disappearance of friction, domestic
and international. over the Franco-Ger-
man Moroccan agreement His duty done,
he longs to return to his enormous legal
practice, which is said to have yielded
him an income of more than $4,000
year. Indeed, SO sure was he that his
occupancy of the premiership was only
temporary that he is said to have re-
tanned all his briefs when he took office.
Who, then. will be the next prime min
lister of France? Three men stand out
from all the army Of candidates for the
great honor Two of them have already
held the position and the third. one of the
greatest men in France, is sure to reach
the position some day. The men are
Georges Clemenceau. Theophile Delcasse
and Aristide BRAND The first two Of
these men are bitter political enemies.
who for years have fought each other;
Abe third is friend Of both and II
the most likely man for the post
No man living today has had . more
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

when he was under a cloud. Unjustly
suspected Of selling his country to Eng
land, he was driven from public life by
his enemies. For many years he was in
retirement. Apparently he was POLITICAL
ly ruined, and his paper lost prestige and
power. For ten years he made no at
tempt to regain his old position, and it is
doubtful If he would ever have entered
the political arena again had it not been
for the Dreyfus case. which brought him
out of his retirement.
In 1905, after many years In the wilder
ness. Clemenceau received his first cab
met appointment, and how it came about
is still told as a good story in France.
Sarrien. who had been asked to form a
ministry called q number Of his friends
together for q consultation. When they
were all seated. Sarrien turned to Glenn
enceau, who was next to him, and said
my dear fellow, what will you take?"
meaning to order the refreshment most
suited to his taste. To the new premier s
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

move very slowly and the probability is
that any that may occur can easily be
handled by the dredges so as to keep the
canal clear. I would say also that we
are Strengthening the walls by earth
binders In the shape OF various grasses
and plants. They will soon be covered
with jungle and this will further lessen
the danger.
But how about earthquakesT' asked.
I'VE have also considered that POSSIBLE
ity." replied Col. Goethals. 1--WE have
seismographs here by which we keep
records of the earth's tremors and we
also have reports of such machines the
world over. We have records of the earth
quake at San Francisco. and of the
shakes which occurred then at ST. Louis
and otherwheres. We find that we have
here about the same trembling of the
earth as occurs at such times in Washing
ton city, and / have decided that it is
only when I hear that the National Cap
itol has fallen that I shall need to have
any great alarm about the canal. No,
the earthquakes are not frightening me
at ALL
"But are you not in the earthquake
belt?'
1--WE have never had any great disturb
ance at Panama, although the belt seems
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
A Temporary Engagement.

IT RIXIE FRIGANZA. just before the
celebration of her wedding, said to
the 'woman's page" editor OF a news.
paper:
Now that the summer is approaching,
why don't you begin campaign against
summer ethics-against fiirtations carried
on at seashore and mountain camp by
summer girls and college boys and by
older people as well?"
The young actress smiled aud added:
Summer ethics are aptly illustrated
by q conversation that was once over
heard on mooniit beach.
Dearest murWured a male voice.
when shall we ut lsArriedr
=" Oh Jack . fU1A = voice returned,
why do you lMAlGk o. taking our en-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

court of appeals here in his Office in the
Administration building He is both
judge and jury, and any one who will,
even to the blacklist and poorest of the
laborers who handle the picks or wade
the mud, may come and present his
complaint. The chairman investigates the
trouble, and the judgment is usually such
that the man goes away satisfied.
Col. Goethals is working dictator. He
knows every bit Of the canal construc-
ton by close contact with the men and
the machinery. He goes over some part
of the work every day. He starts out at
O'Clock in the morning and walks to
those places where he is most needed,
talking with the men and directing the
foremen. He knows each branch Of the
engineering construction as well as the
short, a complete grasp of this mighty
job as whole and in detail.
4
I might fill this letter with stories
about him which illustrate his character
istics. I might tell you how he looks, a
gray-headed giant of fifty, with eyes as
blue as the Panama sky and muscles as
strong as the steam shovels which are
lifting mountains In the cut far below
me. I might speak Of his nerve and
determination to get things done. and of
hss motto, which seems to be, Results
at all costs." and that everything and
everybody must be pushed to hurry the
job. I might speak also OF his use of
modern scientific management. Of his
rigid economy and his watching the leaks
and Of his appreciation that every one of
Uncle Sans dollars contains just 100
cents ana that every cent spent must do
its share of the work. I might do all
this and more. but this story Is not a
character sketch. It is an interview, or
rather a running chat. gotten especially
greatest upon
earth, with the man who, more than any
other, is its handspring and dynamic
ruler.
Our conversation covered a wide range.
Col Goethals knows the canal so well
that he could talk most Interestingly for
an hour or more about any of its fea-
lures 1 have room here for only a part
of our chat. We had been discussing the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

Such authority has been found absolute
" necessary to the canal construction.
The lack of 1t was to great extent
the causes Of the designations OF
Chief Engineers Wallace and Stevens. 1t
tied their arms and those Of their sub
ordinates with the governmental red tape
of caprice and custom, and swathed this
mighty Industrial entity, the whole canal
force, with bands stronger than those
with which the Lilliputians bound the
giant CULVER. When Col. Goethals first
came he found himself in a network like
Gulliver's, and 1t was only by presenting
the matter to President Roosevelt, who
had watched the vain and chaotic strug-
giles of the past. that he was able to get
the power which has enabled him to &C
complish the mighty work which every
one now recognizes as his.
More than this, Col. Goethals has used
his authority SO that his thousands or
employees are glad to obey He has
brought harmony out Of discord among
the American employees, and has done the
same with the thirty-odd thousand Cen
trail Americans. Jamaicans and other
West Indians. He has not only preached
the square deal, but he has given the
square deal to every one, and. with the
exception Of a few constitutional kick
ers. all are satisfied. Every Sunday morn
ing the chairman holds a little supreme
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

he made BRAND, the socialist, one Of his
colleagues and paved the way for that
mans rise to the premiership. He played
the part OF a despot, refusing to consult
his cabinet in IfIatters Of policy, and yet
forbidding all Of them to take any action
without first consulting him. In the last
months Of his ministry several Of his col
leagues were secretly working for his
downfall.
It was. however, Theophile Delcasse
who turned Clemenceau out OF Office. Del
casse should have been summoned to sue
coed his rival. but Germany had to be
considered. It was Frances northern
neighbor who compelled the dismissal Of
Delcasse from the post of minister Of
war. The latter instigated the French
policy In Morocco. made certain demands
the advice Of Germany, and resigned
when the kaiser intimated to Rouvier,
the French prime minister, that Del
casses retention in Office would be fol-
lowed by declaration Of war by Ger
many.
In these circumstances President Fal-
Heres refused to summon Delcasse to
succeed Clemenceau. fearing that his ap-
pointment would be looked upon by Ger
many as an affront. and today the same
consideration, although with constantly
lessening force, stands in the way Of his
advancement. Sweep 1t aside and there
would be little doubt that Delcasse would
be quickly put in charge of the French
ship of state. And all who have had OPP
portunities of knowing and studying the
man believe that he would make the most
brilliant premier in the history of the
third republic.
Unlike Clemenceau, Delcasse has spent
much Of his parliamentary life in office.
He was born In 1862. and is just sixty
one years old. He studied at the Sor-
bonnie and obtained a literary degree In
common with many other men who have
bulked large in French poli.cs he be-
came q journalist. making specially OF
political topics and parliamentary debates
in the chamber and the senate. In 1888
he was returned to the chamber, and five
years later entered the cabinet of Ribot
as colonial under-secretary. So highly
was ne esteemed that Dupuy, who sue
ceeded Ribot, appointed him to the same
position. The following year he was
made minister Of the colonies
1t was. in the Brisson cabinet In 1s0e
that he first made his appearance as min
lister OF foreign affairs. When he took
office France did not have a friend in
Europe. He inherited from his predeces-
sor the dangerous Fashoda affair with
England, which threatened to lead to war
between the two countries Thanks to
the common sense Of Delcasse, the Incl
dent was amicabiy settled and The new
minister entered upon the most brilliant
years. Probably his two greatest achieve
ments were the entente cordiale with
England and the alliance with Russia.
The former secured the much desired
equilibrium Of power In Europe. and did
much to insure the peace OF this part OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

EARLY Retirement of Ray
L. mond Poincare, the Pres
ent Permier Is Predicted,
and Frances Strong Man,
Who Broke the Great Rail-
way Strike, Has the Best
Chance of Succeeding Him
-Clemenceau and Delcasse
Also in the Running-Ro-
mantle Career of Georges
Clemenceau, Whose Tongue,
Pen and Rapier Are Alike
Held in Great Awe-His
Link With the United States
How the German DOGGY
Has Stood in the Way of
Delcasse's Elevation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

romantic political career than the first
of these three men-Georges Clemenceau.
Although he is seventy years old and has
life, is still healthy and energetic, with
a pen as vitriolic and a tongue as keen
and deadly. with a pistol eye as true
and rapier hand as strong and feared
as ever.
.Wrecker Of cabinets he has been call
ed. and during the many years he has
been in politics he has been the cause OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

GEOH1IES CLEMENCEAU,
Former French premier, who IL again
I'm the running for the position. He
has had q romantic career, and lived
four years I'm the United States ~ an
exile.
discontinue, Clemenceau Immediately an
swered: "Oh, the Interior" and Bour-
geois chimed in with: And me the for
eign Office"
A few months later Clemenceau became
prime minister and for almost three years
he held the exalted post. In Office he
showed the same moral courage he had
shown In opposition. He appointed Gen.
Picquart minister of war. although his
name was associated with that canker on
French history-the Dreyfus case. Then
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21


RANCE Is talking
of the C o m / n &
breakup Of the
ministry OF all
the talents" as
the Raymond Pom
C a re cabinet Is
called. According
to the close friends
of the brilliant
prime minister, he
believes that the
critical circumstan-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

has the best chance to succeed Ray
mOnd Poincare upon that politicians
resignation of the post Of prime min
lister, which II expected In the near
future.
the downfall of many Of the most famous
ministries Of France. His most recent
feat was the dramatic defeat OF the Call
laux government several months ago,
which still will be fresh in the readers
memory. He was a bitter opponent OF
Jules Ferry, the first French minister
with visions Of a great French empire,
and contributed largely to that mans
downfall. He unseated Freycinet not
once but several times, and he drove
President Grevy out of Office following
the collapse Of the Rouvier ministry. 1t
was Clemenceau who made the pic
turesque Gen. Boulanger and then. when
the dashing soldier broke his promise to
him. as quickly unmade him.
~
But Clemenceau probably will be re-
membered best by readers all over the
world as the leading figure in the hard
fight that ended In the vindication of
Dreyfus. 1t was in LAurore, the paper
owned and edited by Clemenceau. that
Zola's now famous letter. "JAccuse," APP
peared and created sensation through
out the civilized world. Indeed. 1t was
Clemenceau who invented the striking
title. 1t will be remembered against
what tremendous and almost hopeless
odds the defenders Of Dreyfus fought for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

justice and in the campaign Clemenceau
was always in the lead. Day and night
he went about with his life in his hands
grimly and defiantly receiving the taunts
and threats OF the majority of his coun-
trymen. who saw In every friend OF
Dreyfus a paid enissary Of a foreign gov
eminent.
But in this fight Clemenceau was in his
per one OF his famous editorials "clear as
crystal, biting as acid, sharp as a Damas-
Gus blade" He spent long hours in the
law courts. made speeches before In
mornings in lonely spots facing, with pis-
tol or rapier, countless antagonists who
had called in question his personal honor
or that of the man for whom he was bat
Ting.
Curiously enough Clemenceau has a link
with the United States. When a young
man he had the temerity to shout Long
live the republic while Napoleon III still
sat on the throne Of France. He was
thrown into prison and upon his release
he packed his portmanteau and went of
to Boston. During four years he taught
languages and acquired an American &C
cent to his excellent English which he
still retains. At the end of that time the
empire having fallen, he, in company with
many other French exiles, returned to the
land of his birth.
ne Threw nlnSelI INTO politics ana De.
came mayor Of Montmartre. Two years
later he was chosen president of the
municipal council of Paris. Three years
after he entered the chamber Of deputies,
Then for many years he was in opposi-
ton. playing his role Of feared critic and
wrecker Of cabinets. Because Of his won
derful power he was for ten or twelve
years the virtual ruler Of France, al
though he never held Office. His tongue,
his pen and his rapier were alike feared
by all his opponents. A story is told that
illustrates the awe in which he was held.
At the time of the Panama canal scandal,
Paul Deroulede arose in the chamber OF
deputies and slowly said:
This indefatigable advocate Of Hertz.
you all know him. His name is on all
lips, but not one OF you dares to pro-
nounce 1t, because there are three things
you are afraid of-his dagger, his pistol
and his tongue. Very well: I dare all
three: his name is Clemenceau.'
prevailed on all sides Clemenceau arose
and in measured tones replied:
Monsieur Deroulede, you have lied"
And the inevitable encounter, in which
Deroulede was wounded, took place.
Clemenceau has always refused to have
anything to do with the modern duel
which has made France the laughing
stock Of the whole world. He has insist
ed that affairs in which he participated
. be serious ones. and frequently he has re-
fused to meet men who have earned repu-
tations as fake fire eaters.
There was period OF Clemeuceau's life
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

upon earth. have had chat with COL
George W Goethals as to our mighty
canal and its future
There is no man who can speak more
intelligently and more authoritatively
about the canal than Col Goethals. He Is
the supreme manager of all things on the
isthmus His title is chairman OF the
canal commission and chief engineer, but
he is far more than that. Under the
powers granted him by the President, he
is the dictator. the administrator, the
executive, and in short the ultimate au-
thority to whom all others must bow. His
iron fist may be clad in a glove OF velvet
and the thousands he rules may not ap-
preciate its existence, but if they disobey,
it strikes and brushes the offender.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

here on the
hills Of Culebra,
h i e h Ov er the
mighty cash which
Uncle Sam has cut
through this lowest
pass of the Andes,
and looking down
upon the now Sum-
day quiet of what
for six days of the
week is the busiest
and noisiest place
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
The LoCK CANAL Is BIZ lar The 5ETTERo
IT VIII Be hoRL hRrtANENT AND FtoRE ECONOMICAL

mighty locks at each end Of the water
way which will lift the ships to the level
of the great cut which lay there below
us. and 1 asked whether. after all, 1t
the cut deeper and have created sea-
level canal.
Col. Goethals replied: mo. the lock ca
nal is by far the better, and it will prove
economical in its operation. II the gov
eminent had decided upon sea-level
canal that great gorge below us would
have had to be cut eighty-five feet deep
er than it is now. Besides, I do not be-
lieve that the people of the United States
would have stood for the additional time
and cost which would have been neces-
sary to make it, and that is supposing
it were at all possible to have made 1t.
When I came here l had a pretty well
be the better. but my experience has
changed that opinion. for I do not be-
lieve that we could have constructed it
on account Of the immensely greater
slides which we would have had II we
had deepened the cut. AS it is now we
shall be able to control the slides, and
do not apprehend that they will cause
any great damage to the completed ca
nal.''
Tell me something about. these slides,
colonel. What makes you think they
will disappear when the canal is COM
pleted?''
I'VE know because We have studied the
geological structure of this part of the
mountains. We have studied the pressure
of the earth. and how the land moves.
We have experimental and know that
when We have given the sides Of the canal
prism a natural slope that the earth will
be as firm as that Of the hills all about
us. Such Slides caused nv the
weight of earth above and back of the
excavation which forces these bodies Of
earth down into the cut and at the same
time presses it upward from the bottom of
the canal. By the right slope this great
pressure will be removed and when that
is done there seems to be no reason why
the ground should not be firm for all
time to come. Besides slides Of this kind
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

the world, while the latter served one
good purpose in preserving the peace Of
Europe during the Russo Japanese war
and combining that conflict to the two
powers in the far east.
Then came the dramatic events in 1905.
when Germany and France were on the
brink Of war; and Rouvier. fearful of the
condition Of the French army. retired be-
fore the menacing mailed fist and shining
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
BRAND WHO SAYS HE A SOCIALIST AGAIN RULE FRANCE

position when-and he did not look upon
1t as q remote contingency-he stepped
again into semi-private life.
Copyright. 1872 by Curtis Brown.l .