davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
Here's a Book
THE DRIFT. BY Marguerite Mooers
ton & Co., New York and London.J

Mothers of eighteen-year-old daugh-
ters will taboo Marguerite Mooers Mar
shall and "The Drift" Eighteen-year-
old daughters themselves, being not "of
the generation that accepted. but the
one that rebels" will read and doubt
less be stimulated to wholesome think
ing. Men. II they read the book-well
men are rock-rtbbed In their orthodoxy
for women. and doubtless they will be
shocked.
The story presents what is surely an
important type nowadays. the free
thinking. new-ideaed young woman.
This particular young woman fell In
love with a man who was married un-
happily, and this also sometimes hap
pens, Her love story is the long trial
of waiting until the man could divorce
his unbearable wife by some means
that would leave him his little daugh-
ter.
The young woman's philosophy justi-
fies the situation to her-to the reader.
possibly. At. all events 1t creates for
her an ideal which saves her from
her temptations when the mere social
code would have let her fall. In the
end when the man by his different
concepts-"the drift" In him-has made
both his divorce and their marriage
Impossible. the woman, rather than see
her love soiled through her own weak
ness, after she has pulled through the
wreckage. chooses death
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
EX-CLERK DISCUSSES
THE THIRTEENTH CENSUS

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
We regret that not one paper OF
Washington contained q word in behalf
of the temporary census clerks who
were so informally dismissed. Numer-
Gus statements issued by the director,
containing his reasons for the disfnis-
sails, have appeared of late. Why were
the clerks left uninterviewed and not
allowed to speak q word? They can
tell more OF the shortcomings of the
ofhce than anyone else. ANY clerk
cannot have failed to observe why the
census appropriation did not meet the
demands OF the director. Special agents,
most OF whom are in the service vet.
drawing q big per diem rate and doing
less work than the ordinary clerk, can
be found loafing at the same old stand.
There Ii no merit system observed.
sometime ago letters were sent to In
~ ~eihcient clerks. saying they would be
provement. Most Of these same CLERKS
are retained now, and clerks with an
excellent rating from the time OF their
entrance In the service are dismissSd.
to The or :sy
that be an inducemcnt for capable
young people. who could do the work
credita6ly, to work for Uncle sam7
.. Ine clerks can tel! you why the thir-
Ing. But for political reasons the de-
partment officials do not want then,
Interviewed. II Congress had appro-
prfated a million more IL would have
been squandered. Fifteen million dol
lars Is enough for any one man to ex-
pertinent with. The mass of clerks are
OF the opinion that Congress should
get something for the peoples money.
US out"
p. Sect a new director.
AN EX-CLERK.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
CRITICISEs THE METHODS
OF CENSUS BUREAU

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
As has been already stated In the
columns Of your paper. the final census
staeistics have not yet been completed,
and without them the census Is incom-
plete. To be sure, the final results can
and eventually will be completed by
the regular clerks In that bureau, but
does It seem good policy or sound judg-
ment to delay these results by stretch
period and employing the permanent
better to expend the same amount Of
money and retain the temporary work.
ers who have striven so hard and con-
cessful finlsh7
Indeed, II is not for me, nor any other
clerk, to- criticise the action OF a body
composed OF men chosen from among
hundreds to represent this nation OF
ours IN great and renowned Congress.
But to return to cold, hard facts. does
It not seem unfair to deprive the off,
Gals OF the thirteenth census. who, 1t is
TO be hoped. have put forth their best
EFFORTS toward bringing the work to a
successful conclusion-to deprive them,
l say. OF the means with which to do 1t.
secondly. does 1t seem right to with
long the satisfaction, at least. of COM
pleting q work which they started and
carried on so well? Lastly, Is IL not un-
fair to deprive the millions Of American
citixens OF the final results OF a stu
pendous undertaking, for which they
have paid nearly fifteen millions OF dol
iarsY A TEMPORARY,
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES IS
ASKED TO EXPLAIN

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
In conversation with a friend today
we naturally touched on tho extreme
cold and the hardships brought to many
people. He made q statement which
neither OF US could understand, and I
give verbatim what he said:
II was approached by q lady solicitor
from the Associated Charities for q
cash subscription. Informed her that
I would make no cash donation, as IL
was shown by recent discussion of the
methods Of the association that only
10 cents Of each dollar subscribed ever
reached the person In need, ana was
not willing to pay 80 cents In order to
contribute 10 cents to charity, but I am
ready now to mako q substantial donac
ton, and II you will give me the names
Of those needy families I will put IS
worth OF groceries in each house before
nished me-"
This gentleman's name will be given
II necessary. Under any circumstances,
this would have been very uncharttable,
but In the face Of the extreme cold, II
lS impossible to harmonixe this incident
with tho conduct Of charitable organ
ization-
The Associated Charities must have
known II these families were In need Of
help, and II %, IL was wrong to with
hold their names, thus deprtving ten or
fifteen people Of a weeks supplies. Can
1t be that any solicitor Is willing to stop
donations which do not pass through
their handsf NJ. c. G.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
Observation-Disclosures
IN FRANCE. ....

Americans have difficulty in quite
understanding the operations of the
French system of government by a
ministry that is momentarily respon-
sible to the people, and that may be
forced out of office by an untoward in
cident, an illogical combination of ele-
ments in the chamber. Responsible
administration is an ideal entertained
by many who are yet compelled to ad.
nit that it is better fitted to a people
of the British temper than to one, like
the French, composed mostly of tenn
perament. The systems in the two
countries are essentially alike, but
such anomalous results as are common
in France are comparatively rare in
England.
The French situation at the moment
may be likened to that which would
prevail in our House of Representatives
if it should vote Speaker Clark out of
the chair, and then could not elect a
successor. But the French situation
is more perilous, for the French cham
Der has voted the ministry out of Of
fee, and nobody has any confidence
in his ability to form a new one that
can commend votes enough to remain
in power. Thus continuous and vigor-
Gus policy is almost impossible.
Citizens" declares Paris cable of
today, "care nothing about the party
labels adopted by the politicians. There
IL q general feeling that there must
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
GETTING DESPERATE OVER
THE EVOLVED CAUCASIAN

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Is there no way to choke or Swearin-
gems Evolved Caucasian" Does The
Times propose to bore its readers In
definitely with his seventeenth century
plautudes? Let him hire hall. or hire
q publisher, and write book for anti
quated anthropologists who might enjoy
his copy book form OF fact and SEN
tence. The rnoderns are getting nothing
new.
Really this matter is getting serious.
His ego must be as impenetrable an the
rhino's epidermis not to be moved BY
the many earnest and even frantic ap-
peals Of the readers OF this valuable de-
partment Of The Times.
I like The Times. Have read II for
twelve years. and hope to read 1t many
more. hut the editorial page, right-hand
corner gives me the shivers. and II It's
Macbeth. slightly parodied. Upon this
bank and shoal OF time Wen jump
the part to come"
CHARLES A. WILLIAMS.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
OFFERS PLAN FOR
MAKING NEW FRIENDS

To the Editor Of THE TIMES.
Several months ago readers OF The
Times were discussing the problem Of
securing new acquaintances and friends
without the necessity Of formal intro
ductions. many opinions being ex-
pressed, but apparently no satisfactory
solution presented.
Permanent and temporary residents
sometimes experience difficulty In maxi
ing acquaintances, as social organiza-
tions and individuals are frequently un-
successful In establishing the touch or
personal interest so necessary to the
formation OF new friendships.
A plan has been formulated whereby
those desiring to extend their social ac-
tivities can DO 80, individuals can Sc
cure new acquaintance, and social or
ganizations the names and addresses
OF people available for membership, ~
a nominal cost to either.
AS an Institution OF this character dif-
fers from either o matrimonial or en-
ployment agency. and requires no sp-
pearance in public reception room Tor
an exchange OF greetings. perhaps your
readers would like to discuss the ad-
vantages and disadvantages to be de-
rived, and the matter 10 Respectfully
presented to them for their oonsidera-
tion. CONSTANT READER.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
FIREWATER WORSE THAN
OTHER KINDS OF FIRE
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
A vast fire has been raging in New
York. Many other conflagrations have
occurred during this recent onslaught
of old Boreas upon our country's cities.
causing immense pecuniary loss and
also many human lives. These disas-
ters and like impending dangers cause
great discouragements and disn,ay But
all OF the calamities caused by fire are
comparatively insignificant when COM
pared by the daily, monthly, and yearly
destruction of men and property caused
by "firewater," 4. e., alcoholic bever-
ages Modern science sustains the ex.
perience and history Of the consumption
of strong drink" as not only a poison,
but a narcotic and a pafalyxer. Sem
ator Hobson OF Alabama, In his re-
cent lectures upon the destruction and
degeneracy caused by ardent liquor as
q beverage, says that he has recently
been convinced by scientific investiga-
tion that the drinking ustoms Of ma
tions, II continued as at present, will
ultimately destroy not only millions Of
lives IN our republic, but liberty itself,
as q degenerate people cannot be q
free people. Alcoholic drinking now
costs our fair land over $500 million
dollars annually and q million or more
human lives. Half q century ago the
average number OF gallons Of liquor
OF all grades consumed was about Ave
gallons yearly. Now twenty gallons is
the average for each individual person
annually, counting all ages.
II. M. HALL.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
THINKS EVOLVED CAUCASIAN
SAvORS OF THE COPY BOOK

To the Editor Of THE TIMES;
In heavens name, is there not some
way by which the readers of your val
liable paper can induce II. II. Swear
ingen to let up on his Evolved Cau-
casian and His Social System?" II he
is determined to keep on evolving. let
him evolve something that every school
child does not already know, and thsy
surely do know that to live we must
eat, and that everything We consume
comes from the soil. and that moisture.
sunshine, and labor are requisites In
producing 1t. and that not one expert
producer in any one hundred knows any
more of chemistry than he does of
the Inhabitants of Mars.
III. II. S. says the proper training OF
offspring is beyond the powers Of any
pair OF parents. I believe II, In his
case; he must have been the geniua
Of his family. !, for one, hope that
hereafter he will tell US something that
the ordinary human being does not
know. PRO BONO PUBLlCo.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND
CAN HELP EACH OTHER.

The conference which is being held
in Annapolis this week between COM
mittees representing the shellfish in.
dustries of Maryland and Virginia is
of considerable Importance to the Dis
|trict. Its object is to ascertain wheth-
er the two Commonwealth cannot
unite, by the enactment OF identical
laws, upon common policy of con-
serving the fish, shellfsh, and game
birds that inhabit Chesapeake bay and
the Potomac river. ..
The crab industry had its beginning
in 1883. BY 1901 the number of crabs
shipped annually had reached 100000.
600; and over 5000 persons were en-
ployed in catching and packing them.
By 1910 shipments had grown to l3O,-
100000, and the industry gave work
to nearly 5000 people of Maryland.
Plentiful as the blue crab is in Mary
land waters, the supply will not stand
such drain upon it as this; and the
demand is growing.
If the industry is to continue on its
present plane, even the crab must be
given better protection than it now en-.
joys. Virginia faces similar condi-
tions; yet with both States drawing
their supplies from the same waters,
protective legislation by one alone
would not only not serve its purpose
but 1t would be manifestly unfair. It
is essential that the two States act in
common; that their open seasons be
co-terminate; that both protect the
female crab to the same extent and
during the same period of her produc-
tive life. If they cannot hit upon a
common policy, competition is likely
to keep the necessary statutes off the
books of both States; and sooner or
later the crab will 60 the way the
Chesapeake oyster is going.
The arguments for uniformity in the
laws governing the taking of crabs ap-
ply equally to the need of cooperation
in the protection of all other products
of the waters common to the two
States. How can either State alone
protect its bass in the Potomac if by
q mere stroke of his tail the fish can
pass to waters where the law does not
applyG Or of what advantage is it to
cut of sinkbox and spring duck shoot
ing on one side of an imaginary line
when guns are awaiting every bird that
flies across it?
Unharmonious legislation on the
part of the two States in such mat
ters must necessarily defeat its own
purpose. 1t is to be hoped that this
conference will inaugurate an era of
intelligent cooperation between Mary
land and Virginia on a subject in which
their interests are absolutely identical
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
SUCCESS Is A TERM
OF UNCERTAIN MEANING
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
The question Of success or failure
among individuals is sufficiently COM
plex to interest the most speculative Of
Philosophers. for often. even after the
most obvious elements Of character and
action are considered, there remain fac
tors often quite indefnable, yet visible.
which 60 to make up the sum total of
what we call success In life. Any street
or office philosopher will tell you that
industry, application to business, econ
omy and enterprise. or aptness in taking
advantage Of opportunities, will insure
success. but the statement Ia far from
true, for We all know men who work
hard. save their money, and apparently
take advantage OF every opportunity
success which seems to be their due.
When the question Of success, how
ever. IL considered with regard to ma
tons. rather than to individuals. It be-
comes SO much more complex az prao-
tically to defy analysis. hence to settle
the question Of national success, to de-
tsrmins n1,has Why one i nation succeeds while
task, for the word success is a COM
parative and uncertain term. There may
be the highest possible achievement in
one line. and yet In others the nation
which achieves success in one particu-
lar may in another be hopelessly def
cient. There were the Parthians, for in
stance. who won great reputation a.
military men, but left SO little in every
other line as scarcely to distinguish
them from the savage nations BY which
they were surrounded.
Coming down to modern times, the
complexity Of the subject is greatly in
creased by the introduction Of new and
hitherto unknown factors. The English
have been successful as soldiers. sailors
and traders, but SO also were the Span
iards before them, and in a measure the
French. Both English. Americans and
Russians have proved successful colo
nizers, though by means and methods
SO different as to cause astonishment
at the excellence Of the result, while
1t Is not too much to say that the peo-
pie Of this country have displayed more
talent In various lines than those of
any other. Our success In war, wheth-
er on sea or land, is, however, but a
the arts Of peace. The versatility Of the
American character has enabled our
people to turn their hands to a greater
number Of undertakings and fare better
In each than the men Of any other
EVERETT SPRING.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
SURPRISING THE NEWS
ABOUT TRIALS.

oVer az wilmington, Del, whore q
particularly scandalous divorce case is
being tried, involving members of the
good old families of Delaware's
Brahministic aristocracy, the court has
ordered the doors closed and the pub.
lie barred from the hearings.
The procedure is not particularly
unusual. Scandals in high life, involv.
ing people of wealth and prominence,
are very commonly, nowadays, kept
from the public ear when they reach
the stage of litigation, by reason of
the courts consideration and inter.
position with such rules. It will hard.
ly do to say that the reason for these
efforts at suppression of publicity is
concern for the public morals. The
nasty details of like trials are Just
as bad for the public morals when the
people are less influential, and, there.
fore, unable to get their private scan.
dals hedged in from the public's con.
temptation,
Courts and their defenders bewail
the lack of reverence, even respect,
that becomes more common among the
plain people; but Is it remarkable, when
courts indulge such discrimination be-
tween the rich and the poori We
are told with prodigious earnestness
and indignation that there is not one
law for the rich and another for the
poor in this land of the free. Well,
there is at least one method of admin.
istering the law for the rich divorcee
and another for the poor. The rich
mans divorce trial is heard in privacy
by a master, the testimony is sealed,
the court reviews It, and issues q de.
cree whose terms frequently are made
public only in part. The poor mans
troubles are aired in the white light
of the fullest publicity, the sordid
spectators may jam the courtroom,
the papers may print the prurient de-
tails, the principals may be put to
shame by the stares of the curious.
All the world knows now that the
most effective preventive Of crime and
immortality is the fear of publicity. 1t
Is useless to deny this general conclu.
sion. Even when privacy is attempted
to be enforced, it is ineffective, and
the most important result of the effort
is to impress the public mind with q
realization that the laws processes
are not the same for the rich and the
poor.
OF piece with this practice is the
eccentric proposal of Senator Works.
to prevent publication of details about
crimes, horrors, etc. It Is notorious
that the best detective agency on earth
is publicity. Criminals would like
nothing better than assurance that
such a mantle of obscurity would be
thrown around their doings. There is
no more reason to protect the crimes
of the vicious than there is to curtain
the scandals of the rich; and the sup.
preston of publicity will have just
those effects.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
DOES CONGRESS REALIZE
IMPORTANCE OF WATCHMEN

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
II 30, then why should watchmen be
left out OF the question of increased
compensation every session?
In all probability Congress is not
aware Of the responsibility and instru-
mentality exercised by watchmen in be-
half OF Government buildings, especfaI-
ly In the Bureau Of Printing and En-
craving. where watchmen are required
days. to act az skilled laborers, cleo
trtctans, etc, and at the same time
guard this most important concern Of
our Government from fire. flood. and
In this particular branch Of the serv-
Ice there 10 great danger OF fire, be-
cause Of the use OF oils. rags. and
chemical material In the making Of
Of The watchman S to see see t that a. 'aG ali uIiy oiiy
rags are picked up and destroyed after
employees have rushed from their re-
spective places Of duty for home. Locks
It would require more space ' than am Il
practicable to name the various duties
OF watchmen at this place.
Apart from the above: the possibility
as the n n
visitors have entered (after visiting
hours) and gone az far as the examin-
Ing division before they were discover
ed. Tnls ID doubtless due to the I'M
possibility of distinguishing q watch
man amongapproximately5 5000 employees
when he is dressed in citizen attire
No wonder that visitors 60 astray,
and when inquiring for an exit, acci-
dentally butt into q watchman.
Watchmen would willingly furnirh
themselves with two uniforms II Con-
gress would hx their salary at SIS per
month, and the difference between SEQ
and SIS (after paying for uniforms)
would not make Q watchman q wealthy
Hoping that some influential partisan
will cause Congress not only to con-
edder this matter, but do the right
thing, OVID VICTOR SHAW,
Watchman.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
DECLARES VANITY is
RUINATION OF THE WORLD

70 the Editor OF THE TIMES:
People! People! what Is this world
coming to? Every time you pick up a
paper you zee something new either In
furs, gowns. or Jewels. and everybody
knows how women craze over the latest
styles. One society woman tries to out
do another in gowns and some one else
in Jewels. II some Of the wealthy So
ciety people would invest their money
in more sensible things than In Jewels
and vanity and help build business
college. 80 that the poor children whose
parents cannot afford to give them
business education, in my estimation
there would not be 20 many starving
and idle people in the world Of the day.
Although we all IKE to see tho women
dressed neat and clean. do not think
Il is necessary TO 60 into extremes, and
I think II everybody will only give this
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
DISTINCTION BETWEEN
HEROES AND PATRIOTS

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
AS a veteran Of 1S6l-1Ss4 am able to
answer and clear up the pretended
claims OF the Spanish War Veterans
VINO are now called heroes"
Let me tell you there IL q great deal
~ "a unerence in what they have fought
Mt ana what the civil war veterans
aave Fought for and accomplished. we
ao not call ourselves heroes" but We
~, entitIed to be called ''pa triots."
..,,,e nese Spanish war veterans fought q
es.e war" uncalled for, unnec-
T.r - ;i nation millions OF dollars. The cost
80 sl IN evidence by Conversational
erp,, rppp,,oplauons at each session, quite
sinms 70 help pay part Of the pef,-
''ons or tne civil war veterans.
RICHARD F. PREUsSER,
Veteran.
The Washington times., 1912-01-12
PROTECTION FOR HORSES
BY USE OF BLANKETS
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
The owners and drivers Of horses In
Washington, through carelessness and
thoughtlessness. no doubt, rather than
cruel design, are working great hard
ships for the poor beasts of burden
this winter weather. Not one out of a
hundred is protected by q blanket OF
any kind. and their wet, unsheltered
backs. with the sleet and snow driving
upon them, has been q sad sight the
last week Of cold and storm. It takes
very little time or thought to throw
something over your horses. be II only
piece of CASTOR bedding or carpet.
or q doubled coffee sack or two. where
nothing better can be obtained; and
1t Is to the owners interest as well, for
horses are sensitive animals. and liable
to colds, pneumonia, and other COM
plants, which may at any time de-
prive the owner Of this valuable piece
Of property. Many a driver leaves his
horse unprotected while he goes into
a house or store, often for long periods
OF time. while on his seat lying use
less IL the blanket he has had wrapped
about his knees. Men, be merciful to
your horses. Aside from the humane
aspect of the case II pays the owner
by. the improved condition Of the
animal A CITIZEN.