davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

other adjective pulled string around
the legs What seemed to be host OF
others closed I'm. Figuratvely speaking,
the hands went up and a surrender like
that i'm the "Childrens Hour" quickly
followed. 1t was a minus sign. The
verbal memory" was declared to be poor.
However. it had been proved to the sat
isfaction of DR.. Doll that there were no
signs OF e-mindedness. This was a
relief, and then the subject decided to
be a child again just for the afternoon
and take all the other tests. The nose,
eyes and mouth were successfully
pointed out. 1T rains, | am hungry"
was repeated from memory without the
loss Of a syllable. The digits -" and
80" were also repeated without error,
and il was found possible to recall both
the Christian and surnames. Several
objects seen in picture were correctly
named. The test for normal three
year-old had been successfully negotiat-
ed. There were ample fields for fresh
exploits ahead The journey through
the pitfalls which confront the four
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
THIS ONE LOOKS EASY.

He was not feeble-minded OF that
there was certainty. He approached the
next problem with feelings of buoyancy.
Again the demonstration took rectangu-
lar piece of paper and knife. Cutting
dagonally, he secured two right-angled
triangles. He marked the corresponding
angles of each a." "2' and 80" Then
he placed them with the hypothenuses
together and directed that the outline be
drawn of the figure which would be pre-
scented II the short side pointing TO the
numbers indicating it, OF one triangle
were placed against the second side of
the other Indicating the side by naming
the numbers).
That's easy" was the subjects thought
while the instructions were being given.
With an eXultant cocksureness. a figure
was drawn representing the two lying
one upon the other with their hypothe-
muses. together. The surprise that he
should be asked 10 repeat what DR.. Doll
had done when folding the card diagonal
ly in order to cut it melted away. and the
breast. swelled by pride. fen when DR..
Doll remarked: You failed TO take in all
of the instructions" 1t was true. Pride
had gone before a fall
Hope was revived, however. at the next
test This required statement of the
difference in meaning of such abstract
words as pleasure" and happiness II
secured another plus sign. Then the
ability 10 tell three ways in which the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
Dr. E. A. Doll Demonstrates Bnet System at the Congress
Of Mental Hygiene and by Means of Exhaustive
Examination Decides That the Trembling
Interviewer Need Not Enter an Asy um

probation Of picture. In the picture
were figures of plumber. his helper and
an elderly housewife The men were hav-
ing a trying time with a water pipe, the
helper being on his knees, with his head
under a sink. The housewife stood by
with hands up and mouth open. An eX-
preston of CONSERVATION Overspread her
face, for stream of water was pouring
from a fracture in the pipe upon the back
of the kneelng helper BY luck the test
was passed for the action in the picture
was not only described, but an interpreta-
ton put upon it, II he had had only ire
mind of a child he would have said, Il
see this man." pointing to one figure after
the other. Equipped with the brain Of "A
child of seven years he would have OBJ
served action. that the men were doing
something This would Immediately place
him in the class above seven years. and
for the time being he would be rated nj
fifteen years. The Tribune man was
thankful that fortune was favorable
that he had some interpretative capacity
and a tendency TO use il.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
POINTING OUT A6sUROlTIEs.

The significance OF this sentence as p"'s
OF the test was made clear when he ask"
that the absurdity in the statement o'
indicated. Then he read other sentences
of a similar character:
Il have three brothers. Paul. Ernest
and myself"
THE police found yesterday the ooo'
of a young girl cut into eighteen piece
They believe that she killed herself.
Yesterday there was an accident ."
the railroad. But 1t was not serious; t'e
number of deaths is only forty-eighI
The subject considered that he had az,
monstrated his perspicacity to be. equai
TO the task of determining the absuIul,
ties in this test. and apparently DIR. po"
did also. for another plus sign went dow"
on the paper.
The Tribune representative looked nav
over his successful record in passing az
except three tests. and was comforted ~
the knowledge that to a large degree III
was right in his upper story" lie gave
way TO Miss Grace Egan. a three-year'
old. who proceeded to demonstrate hei.
self as being four and one-half years D."
mentally.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
EASIEST FOR CHILDREN.

This is one Of the tests" said DR.. Doll.
which adults criticise as too hard for
children. adults not lnfrequently fail.
They do not realize that with growth OF
the muscles they are less sensitive to
differences in light weights than children
are"
Another evidence of progress was indi-
Gated i'm the fact that when asked a sec
ond time to report about fork, table
and a chair something Of an abstract
nature was expressed, for children Of six
usually refer to some use such as "He
eats with his fork" while at the mental
age of nine it is expected that he will be
a little more abstruse as: "a fork is on
the table,
Naming the various monetary denomi-
nations up to $40 did not cause any men,
tai stumbling. but drawing a design with
catch or twist in its tail, so to speak,
after seeing it for ten seconds only was
not so easy. II was finally accomplished
after one or two beginnings. to the great
interest OF the audience, which seemed to
think. Perhaps we've got him there
Three sets of six digits each were re-
peated accurately and then the subject
was asked to tell what he would do if he
missed train, was struck unlntentionally
by a companion or had broken something
belonging to some one else. The tempta-
ton to say that he would endeayor to con-
troll his angry passions was restrained
and answers that satisfied DR.. Doll and
won another plus sign were given. There
were other questions Of a similar nature,
and then the three words, New York"
money" and river were given with the
expectation that they would be incorporat-
ed in a single sentence.
New York fronts on the Hudson River
and is the money centre Of the country
was the response, after little cogitatioE
regarding the best way Of connecting in
sensible manner words which seemed not
10 be closely related.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
Assortln9 Cubes Of different WeiS htsl h1s3tese.
i often or it,cis sbeirS unfair because oeaes
Siff,cu lty for ADULTS DnDon an0tS"0lecs

THAT won't do" was tho unexpected
comment OF DR.. Doll. 1T must be sim
Pile sentence. It is not necessary that It
should have sense"
This was easier. so all sense or order
was thrown to the winds and this sentence
was proclaimed:
New York money floats on the Hudson
River"
"Why not say. New York spends lots OF
money on the riverP" This was so logl-I
cal form of statement, because there
was so much basis for it, that the subject
felt quite hattened. The plus mark went
down, however.
This test" said Or. Doll, sis the hrst
in which the child is required to invent
his own expression. Only so per cent oil
normal children ten years OF age succeed
II is given again to children Of eleven
when all of normal mentality pass
Then Dr. Doll read: "An unfortunate
cyclst has had his head broken and Is
dead from the fall; they have taken hm
to the hospital, and they do not think ne
will recover"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
placi>4 the Blocks in the Form. boar9
Dr. Doll ara. Subject

nesses. Taking out his knife, lie care
fully cut off the corner which formed the
centre Of the sheet when opened Then
he cut out triangle just below it. Now
draw an outline representing the paper
lying OPEN said DR.. Doll. and in the
centre of II an outline of the hole / have
just cut" This calls for a readjustment
OF mental images. The intrlcacies were
solved, and d We'll done thou good and
faithful-servant' testimonial vOuchsafed
by DR.. Doll in the form of Exceptionally
good" The subject began to feel that he
was entitled to the distinction of scientific
classification as an adult mentally. 1t
was especially gratifying to learn that in
mixed group of twenty educators and
scientists only six had succeeded. while
in another group of eighteen psycholo-
gsts only twelve had accomplished the
task
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
PickirSsout' theyparts
missing an the ssrs'eeeehes
isaa.BineE tese

year-old was successfully begun by a
correct announcement upon request OF
the sex. Three objects laid on the table
"a knife. watch and key-were named
without error and the digits ~" "a
and IS" were correctly repeated from
memory in the order I'm which they had
been given. Also ii was found possible
to exercise the judgment TO the extent OF
stating which of two parallel lines was
the longer, and To do this even when
held In different positions.
Now came the tests for a five-year brain.
The crowd gathered around more closely.
Two black cubes, one Weighing twelve
grammes and another weighing three,
were placed on the table, both being iden-
teal In appearance. The test was to dis
tinguish one from the other in weight.
Although adults are less sensitive, doubt
less owing to the greater capacity OF
their muscles, to distinctions in the
weight of light objects, yet the test was
passed. Then a square was copied free
hand. the result being considered by the
craftsman as quite work of art. The
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

office of the president Of a republic is
different from that of a king was demon
stratcd. DR. Doll now read five lines OF
a selection and called for n restatement
Of what he had read. This is my field,
thought the subjectand success was ex-
pected. A minus sign resulted. for in
the effort TO fix in the memory the first
lines the closing ones made only "a fleet
ing impression while they were being
read "Kismet" thought the stumbler
among the sentences
But this was not all. IT must be con-
fessed that even shorter selections We're
pitfalls. Included in the tests for
twelve years were these sentences:
81 saw in the street a pretty little dog.
lie had curly brown hair short legs and
long tail" This was TO be repeated
verbatim. The first sentence went swim
mingly The second began bravely.
Then came an adjective. Should il be
long brown hair and curly legs or
should il he curly hair. brown legs and
a short tsir? There was q brief stop
to secure a surer footing. Then an
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
GROWING OLDER RAPIDLY.

IL there had been any doubt it was now
certain that the subject was not an i'm
becle The boundary line between imbe-
clity and the moron, or high grade type
Of feeblemndedness is placed between
the mental ages of seven and eight years
The eight-year test began with request
for q statement of the difference between
butterfly and a fly, wood and glass
paper and cloth Then the counting OF
twenty backward to one was required,
the time limit being 90 seconds
in counting from twenty backward"
said DR.. Doll. there is a great deal
of variation in capacity exhibited. Some
can count objects with which they are IA
mallar when they cannot objects with
which they are unacquainted. In other
words, they add concretely, not abstract
ly"
The days Of the week We're named in
less than the allotted 10 seconds, and the
task of counting six stamps-three of the
denomination OF one cent and three OF
two cents-and naming the total cash
value of the lot was accomplished in less
! than the 10 seconds allowed, and the
dlgits ~" ~" g." "g' and 80 were
| repeated from memory without mistake.
This completed the test for eight years.
There was no undue hesitation in deter
mining how much change would be left
| from 20 cents after having bought cents
worth OF candy. and the year and the
date Of the month were correctly given
| upon request. Having named the months
OF the year, the more difficult task
was assigned or asserting in order of
weight from the lightest to the heaviest a
group of cubes looking alike, but ranging
In weight from to IS grammes. Three
times. according to the requirement, they
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

THAT is moron? Is INSANITY
M hereditary? one hardly expects
w the general public to become alb
sorbingly concerned in these questions.
Yet, apparently if one may Judge from
the interest which is being shown in the
subject of mental hygiene this year.
these and kindred questions are making
a strong appeal to the popular interest
For several days recently aNcongress Of
mental hygiene was in session at the
College of the City of New York. The
numbers in attendance swelled 10 such a
degree that one night it was compelled
TO move to larger auditorium. ON thus
occasion accommodations were provided
for three hundred, but a thousand per-
sons appeared.
1T was in the corridor beneath the
great hall however. where popular in
terest i'm these questions manifested
itself most characteristically. AT one
end of the exhibit located there DR.. r..
\. Doll, of the research department of
the New Jersey Training School, gave
demonstrations of the Binet-Simon test
for feeble mindedness and exhibited eX-
pensiYe psychological apparatus. When
ever he was giving an examination men
and women fell over delicate pieces Of
apparatus in order to get nearer TO the
demonstration and his subjects sitting OPP
posite to one another at a little table.
The latter might have been persons in
iured in the street, judging from the
scene. The spectators hung over the
backs of the chairs and the shoulders Of
one another. cutting off light and air.
Children were brought for examination
and adults sat down. so 10 speak, 10 have
their fortunes told. while the thrOns
hung breathless upon every answer. Did
he pass, or did he not? Delving into the
secret processes of a human brain and
noting the differences between the sub
iects was as thrilling as any play.
The value of the Binet test has been
the subject of many discussions in the
last year That il be introduced into
the public school system has been pro-
posed. 1t is being applied at many insti-
tutionS TO determine the mental condi-
tion of the inmates. Many adults have
criticised il as being too hard for chill
dren, and therefore not a reasonable
standard by which TO determine so vital
a thing as mental responsibility
A representative of The Tribune in or
der to discover what the Binet test was
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

figure lacked arms, and there Were
faces without eyes. nose or mouth. The
diagnosis in each case was pronounced
to be correct and plus sign set down
against the test. A diamond was copied
with somewhat less artistic success than
i'm the case of the square. but it passed
muster. and the colors for the next test
being missing il was assumed that he
could recognize red, blue. green and yell
low in the space OF six seconds, the time
allatted
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

like. decided TO become a subject at the
clinic.
First. form" board was placed in
front Of him. 1t was about II by IS inches
in size. and contained spaces to receive a
number of different shaped blocks
square. rectangular, semi-circular. dia-
mond and triangular 1T was evident that
the subject was 10 be asked to put the
blocks into the spaces in which they
belonged. Spectators began TO gather 10
watch the contest against time.
AGE CANNOT BE CONCEALED.
This" said DR.. Doll. lis not sure
test of mentality, but the time required
indicates somewhere near the mental age
of the subject. Therefore, we give II
first. IT requires a perception of form,
and children of less than four years
usually fail. 1t involves not only percep-
ton of the shape of the block, but also
of the shape OF the hole into which it is
TO At and The correlation Of the two.
There are three trials permitted. If the
child makes better time in the second and
third, it is apt TO be due to a growing
familiarity with the blocks and spaces,
and indicates trainability."
The stop watch clicked. The star was
nut into its space. The other blocks. one
after another. rapidly fell into their
places with only occasionally brief hest
tations and The Tribune man found he
had performed the puzzle in fifteen Sec
onds. The blocks were removed. and a
second time he essayed the task. This
time ne accomplished it in twelve and
one-half seconds. Evidently he was
"trainable." But the third trial was not
better than fourteen and one-half sec
ords The time suggested that he WAS
at least fifteen years old mentally.
No feeble minded children have been
found who have tested above twelve years
mental age by the Binet scale. Any one
who tests above this age. although. per-
haps not especially brilliant, is considered
likely TO be able TO take care of himself
or herself For purposes of statistical
data tests are being applied for fifteen
years and for an adult. Ultimately when
a minimum age is found where a given
question included in the test for adult
age can be answered eighty times out of
hundred. il will be put down az a test
for that age.
The first OF the series OF hfteen-ycar
,,f was now given. IL was the inter
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
TFST FIXES MENTAL AGE AND DETECTS WEAKNESS OF MIND
Simple Methods Reveal Degrees Of Reasoning Power,
Ranging from That of Early Childhood to Maturity,
and Only Agile and Accurate Thought Will
Bring One Through with Flying Colors.

for assortment I'm determining the light.
er OF the two of least weight on the first
trial it was demonstrated that he who
hesitates is lost, for the first impression
was oblterated and error was the result
In the following two trials the .sub-con-
scious judgment was accepted and both
were successful 1t was easier to dlfferen-
tiate between the heavier than between
the lighter weights
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

audience expressed no opinion. perhaps
being lacking i'm artistic temperament
Although failure had followed the attempt
to repeat the sentences about the pretty
doc with the curly-was il feet or tall!-
IL was found possible TO recall from MEM
orv the ten sylables found In the SEN
fences His name is John. He is very
good boy" Four pennies were success
/ fully counted each being touched win
the finger as enumerated
/ CAUGHT AT THE SiX-YEAR MARK
The eix-year-old tests included pitfall
that resulted in stumbling and amuse-
ment to the spectators-by this time
hanging over the shoulders Of the SUD-
iect ard eliminating the light from the
table. Although there were no external
evidences. owing TO the inclosed nature
Of the corridor. it had been stated In ac-
cordance with the fact that it was after
noon and not morning; fork. table
chair and a horse had been satisfactorily
described. and a key had been placed I'm
chair. in accordance with instructions,
and a box brought.
SHOW me your right hand" directed
Dr. Doll.
This was not difficult
your left ear"
The left hand was raised Suddenly II
was recalled that it was the ear which
, was to be indicated. The hand was in
simultaneously dropped and the organ
grasped with the right hand. \ laugh
rippled through the triple ring of on
lockers. As It was evident. however, that
the difference between the left ear and
the left and right hands could be dis
tnguished a plus sign went down. The
ability to play the role of Paris was no"
put to the test \ series Of sketches Of
feminine races OF varying degrees Of ug-
llness ana beauty was displayed for an
expression Of judgment as to their rela-
tive. merits i'm point Of beauty No jealous
husband pursued. No war ensued. There
fore. u must be conceded that the plus
sign was warranted and the series of
siX-year tests successfully met.
The seven-year test began with the
counting of thirteen black cubes. This
was done with no undue mental effort.
The action depicted in several different
pictures was described i'm an acceptable
manner. and then a group of sketches of
feminine forms and faces was exhibited
Each crudely suggested that a surgical
operation had been performed. ON il, for
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

THAT is moron? Is insanity
M hereditary? one hardly expects
w the general public to become alb
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-25
Paragraph Pulpit
TIE POE.IEA OLE IuNIsI VA

That h. whose nativity Va to-day
celebrate was more than mstn. thtt
ne lived that he was great and L ,oc.
We gladly believe. Yet study Of the
mca=er records OF MS life. an .Nau' -
nation Of his own sayings. has left u>
with the honest belief that n the
Jesus 81 history w 90 not and cannot
md the Christ Of theology. We can join
to-day with other Christians IN crle-
braiing his nativity. We can indulGc
fancy for the moment and listen t.
the story OF the shepherds. We may
imagine that angels did hover above
this wonderful child and sing or Peace
and good will" As poetry these st0-
rics are beautiful and Inspiring. How =
ever. when men insist upon our taking
them literally We are forced to cA-
anime them with 2 critical eye ana
apply to them the same tests which
We anplv 10 similar stories concerning
other great religious leaders---j nita-
rian Publicity Committee
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-25
DIRECTORS GET
HANDSOME GIFTS
Members of Police Benevolent
Association Express Graft
tude to Officers.

ON behalf OF the members Of the
Police Benevolent Association. winch
includes ali active members of the de-
partnent. handsome gold headed canes
and elaborate humidors, stocked WIN
cigars. were yesterday afternoon pre-
scented to the citizen members of the
hoard of directors OF the association
hv Mayor Alnslie. The presentation
took place in the Mayors reception
room
With a few graceful remarks, IN
which h. thanked snc directors Tor
their services 30 the association il"
exposed the gifts.
Each oe the four /. T.. ,tc-ris. Colonel
: II Halves W. = Forbes ana James
\ Rovd responded in en- appropridtt
manner 81
The presentation was maze I'D '"T
,...senc, Of about twenty-five mem ners
~ tb.. department. including CHIEF OF
Police Werner and Captains foiioVh'
NlcNahon. Epps Barfoot and wright
rs an appreciation 81 thcir graz
tude for the services Of Messrs- "o'-
rie IIawes. Forbes and BOYD. the mem p
hers agreed 10 tender each a 'hr
rs rjft. The matter was Kept
profound secret.
The four directors were sunnino''c',
Ia. telcnhone Yesterday afternoon an"
80, r,-il they were usheTed into tii'
Mayors Office did they have an iiiN'i"7
Of what was in store foT tnen-
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-25
DIAMOND THIEF TO
HUST|AGS COURT
Frank Wilson Valves EXamina-
tion-Fined for Having
Gun in Pocket.

Waving preliminary examination
Yesterday morning in Police Court.
Frank Wilson. alias Mye.s. who at
tempted to rob {. Lums en- Il Son. Inc.
jewellers. of tray OF diamonds Monday
night. was sent on 10 the Hastings
Court.
lie was fined SOU ana costs by Jus
tice Crutchheld on the charge of car
Wing concealed weapon. revolver
having been founl in his pocket by Pa -
trolman Cary when searched.
Wilson was captured by Captain Will
liam NJ. Myers. commanding the Rich
mond Ilowitzers. and secretary of
Lum sden 4 Son
The police are certain that Wilson j.
no small crook. In an effort TO fin
out who nc is and if he has a criminal
rccOr1 he has been photographed and
his picture sent TO all large cities.
Pinkert0ns are also at work on the
cast
Wilson refuses to say anything.
There is not scar or other mark on
his body which could lead to identity
ing him.
The eleventh diamond which could
not be found after Wilson's capture.
Captain Mye's yester ay discovered
was in his pocket !, had been pick
up on the loor Of tho i-evcnson CT
gar COmpany's store and handed 70
Captain Myers. In the excitement he
forgot it.