davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-03-07

opng violence and increasing bad feeling; that the
public would become more and more confused as to
the facts and that the strike issue itself would become
lost in social discussions and political controversy;
that the losses in money and the good will Of the
public for the industry would be vastly greater than
any reasonable concessions, even if these did not
seem to be justified by actual business conditions;
that investigations by the Legislature and by Con-
gress would become almost inevitable that all Massa-
chusetts industries we're being impered and impetus
was being steadily given to revolutionary type OF
labor organization, and that the path of discretion
wisdom, and justice lay in making reasonable con-
cessions and making them at once.
To this statement response was made other
than one Of defiance, coupled with unpleasant cpl
thets applied to the strikers and their leaders. Over
fifty days have passed, and every single of these
things has come to pass.
1t is now seen, in the light of the facts, that
this was reasonable counsel and soundly grounded
Thus does every interest suffer when fair arbitra-
ton of labor troubles is not secured on the day il
arises. Lawrence and Massachusetts, pioried the
world over. Moving pictures and fiery defamation
alike will increase sentiment against industries which
are a bulwark of New Engands industrial life. And
so tardily comes the movement toward concession
which, made at the beginning would have altered the
entire course of this amentable affair.
Was it all worth while?
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
FINDS MOST PEOPLE
INTERESTED IN MAIL BAG

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
| have, through curiosity, noticed Vari-
Gus people reading The Times. and have
editorials and the Mail Bag. Many COM
plimcntary remarks have been heard.
usually TO the effect that this page is a
true educator for the people. l have
been somewhat shocked at times at the
criticisms of the Bible, but upon
much thought, l am rather glad to be
shown the absurdities which the book
contains. Laying aside emotion and
prejudice and viewing 1t with reason,
can readily appreciate that some of its
stories are myths.
What has become of Tom O'Bed-
lamp" The battle of wits between him
and Minerva WAS certainly brilliant. !
enjoyed It immensely. Mr.. O'Bedlam
Minerva think he was grand! l should
love to know him. Was glad. too, TO
see Minerva so self-Contained and
knowing. I'm proud of her.
Mr.. SweaTinEen's articles were always
OF Interest to me. and ] wish "Profes-
sionaI ApoloEist' would write often.
1t was very comforting 10 learn from
ming to believe in spirits. I have had
many communications from spirit
friends myself and know it to be real.
itY.
1t il nice to have a forum where the
opinions of all can be given. because
from "the people come most of the
worth while ideas. I sincerely trust thai
the fanatical intolerance which former.
ly burned thinkers at the stake will
not prevail in the twentieth century tC
close or restrict the Peoples Forum.
APHRODITE,
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY
IN SOUTH CAROLINA
To the Editor of THE TIMES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
1t is amusing to read that the eXccu-
tive committee of the aggregation
"sorehead" Democrats officeholders,
and Seekers" failed to commit them
selves to either Taft or Roosevelt at
their Lilly White" meeting here Tues
day.
In reply to a communication sent
John G. Capers April. 1907, the writer
stated he was in favor of Roosevelt
and a candidate as delegate TO 1908 con-
vention.
Mr.. Capers reply, so very character
istic and in line with his action yes
terday, was: AS so many of the big
politicians are at sea we little fellows
best rest awhile!'
Only short time from this, he was
in South Carolina trying to organize
in interest of-not Judge Taft-and
when 1t was known at Washington he
| suddenly returned from Atlanta, tc
mount the Taft wagon!
Now, as then he waits for the popu'
| lar trend when il will be seen he is q
| strong supporter Of the strongest Capers
man! Watch him! / am from prln'
| cipIe A REPUBLICAN,.
| Columbia s. c.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
TWO CONTRIBUTIONS
TO CIVILIZATION

To the Editor OF THE TIMES
BY way of partial response to the
pregnant and important inquiry Of De
bieu Jay, in your issue of February %,
as to what four discoveries have COM
pletely revolutionized the views Of civ
ilized man concerning the nature of the
universe, or concerning his own rela-
tion to the universe" permit me to call
attention to the fact that the latest
edition Of that justlyfamed compen-
Britannica, in its excellent article on
coveries the Copernican demonstration
that the sun and not the earth is the
center of our planetary system" and
the demonstration of Charles Darwin
and his scientific predecessors and CO.
laborators that the world as the abid-
ing place of animals and man Is enor-
mously old, and that man himself. In
stead of deteriorating from a single
perfect pair six thousand years re-
moved has ascended from beastiality
through slow process of evolution eN-
tending over hundreds of centuries.
The first brought revolutionary
conception of the universe" and by
means of the second man has for the
first time been given clear inkIine
as to his origin and destiny This
new presentation OF truth, combined
with certain practical inventions OF
great importance. including paper and
, the printing press, produced a reVo'
luton in the mental life or our race.
JOHN d. BRADLEY.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
SOUTH POLE DISCOVERY.

There seems to be reasons for believing that the
reports of the discovery of the South Pole by Capt
Robert Scott of the British navy, are correct, and
that another geographical conquest has been con-
summated.
The news is vouched for by Capt Roald Amund-
sen the Norwegian explorer who had also made the
same effort, after already winning laures as the
dscoverer of the Magnetic Pole and of that north
west passage which the original goal Of all west
ward exploration.
Captain Scott had made previous efforts to reach
the South Pole and was we'll equipped for the COM
pleon of his task If the news is finally confirmed it
will be found that many valuable scientific observa-
tons have been made aside from the mere attain
ment of the Pole
With FIVE entries, the international contest was
watched with the keenest interest, and if the glory
has gone to Great Britain she will receive the cordial
congratulations Of the world
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
RELIGION HATED BECAUSE
ITS TRUTH is FEARED
To the Editor Of THE TIMES;

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
What do we gain by hearing It SAID
Of a man that ne has nJw thrown Oft
the yoke, that he does not believe
there is a God who watches our actions.
that lie considers himself the sole
master o: his conduct, and that lie
thinks he IS accountable for it only to
himself? Does he think he has thus
brought us tc have henceforth complete
confidence in him, and to look to him
fOr consolation, advice. and help in
every need of life? Does he profess to
have delighted Us by telling us in self
satisfied tone OF voice that he holds
our soul to b. only a little wind and
smoke? Is this a Thing to Say gayly?
Is il not, on the ContrarE, a thirS TO
saw sadly, as the SaldesI th!rR in tn
world? And. indeed, make him give
All account of ms opinions and Of the
rCa sons which he has for GOdbtinE re-
lision. and he will say To you things so
feeble ard so petty tha' he will per-
snade YOU of tho contrary
The brilliant mGCrsol. towering like
a mount3in among his peurile present
day disciples, confronted with the sub
lime fact that there is no beginning 10
time. or ana"a and 10 end. stated spe'-
ifically that, disCarding religion, he had
no answer to the burning Question IN
every mans heart "|Ecnce and
Iufide!s despise religion, because II
disturbs their conscience; they hate it,
because they fear it Is true.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
A GREAT PARTY'S CRISIS.

The Taft campaign has now passed the stage Of
mere practical political methods. All politics is
pretty practical, if it's real politics. But the Taft
campaign has become a direct, open, avowed pro-
gram of subvertng the whole right and privilege of
the people to part in the selection of President
Not only are the Taft managers afraid Of letting
the people be heard. They are devotng their chief
energies to organizing desperate campaign to sup
press any possible expression of the peoples wish.
1t is bipartisan conspiracy of big money, big
business, and big politics to syndicate the Presidency.
That much is now plain that anybody see it,
The same interests that are intriguing to defeat
primaries in Michigan, Massachusetts,, and other
States because they know primaries mean Roosevelt,
are just as desperately and insistently fighting to
prevent Wilson getting the Democratic nomination..
The alliance of the ant-Wson forces in the
Democratic party is backed by the same interests the
same fundamental distrust of popular government,
that are so plainly in control of the Taft campaign.
Toryism knows no party. 1t knows only its own
determined purpose to keep reaction in the saddle,
to shut out the light of day from places that torysm
wants kept dark to exclude the people from any save
nominal unknowing ineffective part in running
their government
That is what is intended to be accomplished by
the suppression of popular primaries. If Mr. Taft on
the record of opposition to popular rule which he
is now making, should by any accident be both NOM
mated and reelected, it would mean ten-years'
backset to the popular government movement that
is today the most vrile and nsstent national move
ment.
Are the people TO 60 ahead with their great task
of resuming control of their affairs? That is the
question presented to both parties right now it
has not been presented since the days Of the slave
oligarchys fight for continued supremacy.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07

1t has evidently not occurred TO these
misguided gentlemen that the fault lies
with them, not with the book. No en-
lightened Christian has this complaint
tn make, for to him no book Is clearer In
Its meaning.
These erring gentlemen are stirred
with Indignation at the cruel and hor-
rible deeds described I'm some of the his
toric narratives in the Old Testament,
forgetting that they are the acts OF
bdrbarians In a barbarian age. These
narratives are far outweighed by the
beautiful and sublime passages in the
balance of the Bible. Furthermore, 1t
is manifestly unfair to extract short
verse and point at II the finger of scorn,
without considering the context; an un-
fair method always followed by lnger-
soil. This book must be considered as
whole in order TO understand the d.
vine plan therein revealed. Moreover,
these incidents in the historic narrar
tiVes are of minor importance in the
present day: the all important fact re-
mains that the prophecies recorded were
fulfilled, thus proving that the men who
uttered them were inspired.
When sorrow and misfortune over
take anyone, where can he turn for
consolation. strength, and hope, but TO
the sublime, encouraging, and holy pas
sages in this, the book of books: with
out this there would be nothing for him
but despair. FAIR PLAY.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
SAYS REINCARNATION
is BASIS OF RELIGION

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Eternal torment or damnation for a
single individual is not taught in the
Bible. ! do not say that there is no
such thing as eternal damnation, but
that is a thing of itself. 1t is like a
river that flows on forever, while l
may take a bath in this river but once
or more times. That which is seen Is
but temporal while that which is un-
seen is eternal. There Is such a thing
as hell" and death" Hell Is tor
ment. He'll is burning also, but all the
hell there is, or over will be, is of the
same kind We are now passing through
in the body of death. 1t is the burning
OF the lusts OF the flesh. 1t is a school
master to bring us to a better way. II
Is a bottomless pit-i.e., 1t has no bot
tom, and when we get down to the bot
tom, we may get out. All men will be
finally saved: not all together at the
same time, but in time, after they havx
passed through hell enough times to
, satisfy their fleshly desires.
No man can harmoniZe the Bible eX-
cept he uses reincarnation as one OF
his bases. Men are born over and over
again until they have hell enough
There Is break in the memory from
incarnation to incarnation. but there
comes a time when all the inCarnations
will be remembered, and man becomes
| himself without the cntanglements oi
| hereditary instincts and traits.
f. b. WEBSTER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
ASTONISHING CHARGES
STAND UNCHALLENGED
To the Editor OF THE TIMES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
On February 20, under the caption,
Legal Practice in the District" The
Times published remarkable letter,
signed by MIR. Louis r. Butts. We have
looked in vain for a rejoinder to IT,
and the astounding revelations made
in the open face of day stands un-
challenged.
We have seen some droil decisions Of
our courts and have come TO the con-
clusion that no one could get justice
but the gentle sex. We have been
pretty thoroughly convinced that the
law was made for the benefit of the
lawyer Most OF our laws were made
by the lawyers, and he would naturally
enough look out for himself and his
bountifulIy. But in the Capital Of this
great nation can such things go OH
and be ignored?
viii Attorney General Wickersham
permit this?
VIII not the legal profession see to
It that such sickening condition can
not be allowed to debase a profession
''''' AsMODEUs.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
TIME FOR STEADY HAND.
AT HELM OF STATE

To the Editor of THE TINES:
Whatever shortcomings. political
bIunders or so-called bourbonism may
be attributed to the Administration of
President Taft, the decided stand that
he has taken against the two impend-
ing national eV.ls-namely, socialism
and the judicial reCall-not only COM
pensates for anything we have seen al
legged against him, but must carry CON
siderable weight with every American
citizen concerned in the future "ellale
of this country.
ThoughtfuI observers everywhere, IT.
rCsncCtivc Of party Affiliations, realize
that now is the time of al others lor
cool-hcaded President and conservative
men to keep the helm and hold the ship
of stat steady through the forthcom-
ing storm.
For whatever may be our personal
Indignation against civic and political
wrong doing, it IS our patriotic duty 10
resist attacks upon the foundation prin-
ciples of constitutional government.
II through negligence the people have
lost some Of their rights, and also a
portion of the public wealth. they must
be taught that they have themselves to
blame, since by selfish disregard OF
duty to the Commonwealth they have
made such things possible. Suffice II 10
done through corruption IN the legisia-
| tive and judicial branches of Govern
ment is as nothing compared to what
! win follow If the people throw away the
! lessons of experience and OVerturn their
| governmental system, which would Tr-
! suit I'm placing emotion above equity
| and pa ssiOn above reason and morality.
1t Is, therefore, very gratifying "a
! every citizen who values our America n
heritage to know that President Taft
has declared his views on the aforemeu.
| toned issues in no uncertain tones.
JOHN A. CROWLEY.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
PAID SPECIALISTS
ALWAYS EXPLAINING

To the Editor of THE TIMES
The christian religion teaches that
three is one, ono three: that a man
NhC was Il god, who vas the son Of
a cod who was the son of carpenter.
who had no father. who was ono of
thrCc who were ono, thus father of
himS elf-onCe walked On water. and
changed plain II2O to flowing vino.
Interesting storia5 are these for mytho-
logical study. but not such as call for
serious notice.
Their defenders Use the miracles, the
wonder stories. to prove the god, then
the god TO prove the miracles round
and round till you are dizzy. They are
not hard to CXplain-oh, nc-therc are
almost as many explanations as there
are believers, no two alike, and none
which are convincing without aSsumin.:
all the argument except the conclusion,
raid specialists are continually GRINDING
out new explanations. and earning their
money.
So the later ,irecian philosophers trie.l
to- explain, gloss over and apologize
for the gross absurdities of their myth.
C.IuyV. They. too, could explain.
To the st Ident the Christian myth,
0lo:.y forms IN interesting addition tC
classic fable The varying interpreta,
tions and numerous beliefs Cf the pres
ont day hctoht'u 4 further change which
will add the Christian to CLASSIC
my theology. HONEST c. kerr.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
PROVIDENCE PREFERS
WE PAY OUR DEBTS

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
A recent contributor believes that
God is so superior that we cannot COM
prehend Him. The pot cannot con-
ceive of the potter, the created the
Creator" and We cannot understand
God This is offered as an explanation
OF the apparently conflicting claims of
science and religion which really har-
monize and only appear conflicting CD
to our mortal intellect. Concretely man
occupies the same position toward GoA
a a deaf person to music. Undoubted-
ly the idea of God Is inconceivable-ae
is the potter to the pot" The pA
cannot be expected to properly revere
such inConceivable potter, or the deaf
man admire music, hence how can man
know that his ,worship-7or any wor-
ship whatever-be not dispicasing to
his Creator? Isn't it silly 70 sing to
deaf man? Admitting that this in
scrutabIe Being permits the devil to
prey on mankind (another inscruta-
BILE" idcaI, may not the Bible or the
Koran likewise be but one OF his IN,
scrutable" ways of testing us, and
may not both be but the devils scheme
for entrappng believers? Failing to
understand the inconceiVable, Is 1t not
somewhat dangerous to worship HIM
| Her. or 1t with churches and music
when II may abhor these things ana
regard the construction of RAILWAYS,
| libraries, and schools as more rever-
| ent? Possibly instead this tnconceiV-
able, inComprehensible providence Co
would rather have us paY our DEBTS.
| love mankind better, and strive lot d
conceivable explanation Of things .s SIX
davs in the week to two hours Zip
worship Sunday. ,s
Secretary Question Club.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
ASKS WHAT ARE SALOON
MEN DOING AT CHURCH
To the Editor of THE TIMES:

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Re the recent eloquent pronuncia-
ments of Mr. Crowley's in connection
with the saloons of this city, might
one who has often gasped at his feet
so to speak, as he has lectured the
readers of the Mail Bag, refer him
to the common sense remarks of the
Reverend Fathers Maher and Schmidt
before the excise subcommittee OF the
Senate District Committee on the 4th
instant? The latter stated there were
sixty-two saloons in southwest Wash
ington, and of the saloon owners
thirty-four came to his church" In
view of the eloquent pronunciaments
referred to, in which Mr.. Crowley
stated that saloons were "vestibules
Of hades" and right hands of Satan"
might "a learner" inquire how MI.
Crowley and Father Schmidt hope to
adjust things? The father says "the
saloon men were charitable and good
citizens in general" lnferentially Mr..
Crowley calls them doorkeepers OF
hades and fingers of Satan. Amt 1t
awful, Mabel. When ones love Of
sounding adjectives and pretentious
periods leads to a difference with the
clergy? But seriously, Mr.. Crowley,
what the deuce arc those chaps doing
at church? a LEARNER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
THE PASSING OF HIGH HEELS.

The styles committee of the Southern Shoe Re-
tailers Association will do what to that the
women folks walk uprightly before men during the
ensuing In order to accomplish that end they
have given it out that the correct thing will be to
wear shoes of which the heels are much lower than
the French variety which has held the boards for
long.
Of course, it is not going to be easy. The chop
pines by which the ssterhood added the fraction Of
cubit to their stature in the days of Hamet-whenever
that was-had very considerable vogue, and while
there may have been occasional reactions in the
meantime, it is quite certain from the spirtuelle
sketches of Fragonard that they were among the
daintiest frpperies of the Bourbon ascendancy.
Presumably it must have been along about that
period that they got to be called French heels, for
they have long since oVerIeaped all geographical
bounds and have been as popular where rolls the
Oregon or the Volga as on the bouleVards of Paris.
1t used to be said and sung of the oldme darky
that the hollow of his foot makes hole in the
ground" and the white children who shared his
Iopen-ar freedom, including barefoot joys made a
track very much after that order. Very little atten-
tion paid in those days and places to the pari-
clan arch--or the doctor. But the complexities
of civilization have everywhere brought in the high
heel, and it has taken lectures eugenics and hy-
giene to bring the general public to realization of
the wrongfulnesS of it all.
The Southern ShCe Retailers Association is 90
ing to do what it can to help the movement along
The chairman Of the styles committee smiles know
ingly and confesses that the reform will not be
\ plete A normal heel, he tells us, would be about
half an inch high, and quite broad. The new heels
will not be conservative as all that, but they will
look toward reform. Even this will be clear gain
and calls up visions of the possibility of long walks
through country lanes and over green hills, where
the pedestrian finds health and beauty and a calm
content
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
RACING AND REVOLUTION.

Juarez must be jolly old town. One day we
hear that there has been fierce fight, with bullets
flying and United States troops hurried to the scene
of action and then that the nsurrectos had captured
it and now had port of entry for their rifles and
ammunition, and that the latest revolution would
revolute with great fury. That was good deal for
one day.
But the next day good old Juarez had recovered,
for read that racing resumed and that the old
gang were out in large numbers playing the favortes
in the od-time way.
This is as it should be. No revolution should
be serious too long. After a severe battle always
that the sports resumed and that the pleasure
of the people is not disturbed. There is authentic
story of some of our soldiers after rather fierce
scrimmage in the Philippines. They had fought all
the morning and had dinner. Now, boys" said a
sergeant, lets have game of baseball"
The Washington times., 1912-03-07
JACK LONDON'S Iron HEEL
STRANGELY PROPHETIC
To the Editor Of THE TINES

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
Was not n Law passed by Congress in
1903, making every ablebodied citizen
of the United States a member of the
militia, subject to summary court-mar-
tiaI, by militia officers only, upon re-
fusal to serve?
If the Authorities of Lawrence, Mass,
couid have invoked such L gentcel and
..onN cnicnt instrument, why should they
have descended to such clumsy weapons
as the club and rife? Strikers would
naturally have resisted Il cpnscription
compelling them Uhe very iIOny of it,.
to be traitors to their cause, to ter
rorizc, manhandle, imprson and fire
uron their fellow workTnen, work
women, and workchildren. Ergo.
mutiny, rebellion. Then II nice. quiet
little drumhead court-martial by militia
officers only OUhO. nf course. would not
be at all preiudiccd or imrassioned,
AMI yc strikers would oe quietly dis
posed of. With full sanction of Federal
law.
Jack LondOn's Iron Heel" Gao0 is
not only strangely prophetic OF the Law
renee outrage, but the period Co'ered
by the book dates from 19l"