davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Substitute for Rubber.

The story from Philadelphia that a
man of that city has discovered a sub
stitute for rubber which he manufac-
tures from various kinds of waste will
be accepted with a grain of salt until
the facts he claims are fully established
1t has long been the dream of chemists
that a substance which would take the
place of rubber in many of the forms
in which It is used would ultimately be
discovered, but, like the famous passage
TO Cathay in the time of Columbus, the
result has eluded pursuit
1t may be put down as a fact that
some time, somewhere, such substi-
tute will be found. 1t may not have all
the qualities of rubber, which seems to
have been a special gift of Providence
to mankind, of a value impossible of
replacement or counterfeit But the
uses of rubber have extended so enor-
mously, and the supply is so limited in
tropical countries, that the mind of the
world has been. as IT were, concentrat-
cd upon the proposition of finding some
substance which would. under proper
conditions, take its place Until now no
such product has been found.
Accordingly, if the discovery in Phil
adelphia is substantiated, the name Of
the inventor of the process will be
placed on the same plane with other
great human benefactors A suspicious
world will, however, await verihcation
The only hope is that the story is true
and that the rubber producing area of
the world is to have relief from the
enormous drain now put upon it.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
SPELLING OF DICT-GRAPH.
stenographers of the Lorimer Com
mIttee Arc StIII Mt Odds.

stenOgraphers of the Lorimer Com
mIttee Are stII mt Odds.
FIum the Baltimore Star.
Although the Lorimer investigating
committee has finished its hearing, an
echo OF the testimony is still being heard
about the Senate wing Of the Capitol. A
question has arisen as to the proper
method of spelling the name OF the ma
chine introduced toward the end Of the
hearing. 1t seems that even the stenog-
raphers employed by the committee dif-
tered as to the proper way. Those who
sat at one end of the table spelled II
"Iiciagraph." while those at the opposite
end OF the long table wrote II "dicto-
graph" In the newspapers OF New York
1t was spelled ''dictagraph." while the
Chicago papers put It "dictograph."
After a long discussion as to the proper
spelling. held in the press gallery the
other day. IL was decided to leave the
question to the Standard Dictionary, but
on examination It was found that. It be-
ing a new word. II was not in the book.
To add to the confusion. in a report from
the Secretary OF the Navy. just sent to
Congress, the word IS spelled both die
tagraph'' and 'dictograph." Finally, the
inventor of the machine was applied to,
and asked how he spelled II, and his
answer was:
Il called my invention the 'dicto-
graph"
Many think this ought TO settle the
question, but not so with every one. for
IL still appears in print as "dictagraph"
as well as "dictograph.'
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14

in Washington that after he had built
up the Taft organization in the state he
would be made the Missouri member OF
the Republican National Committee and
continue even more active in the actual
management Of the natlonal campaign
after the Taft denomination.
There Is no objection to secretary
Nagel. now the national COMMITTEES men,
Der. but It Is suggested that one not 50
intimately connected with the administra-
ton could be much more active and prom
inent in campaign AFFAIRS. The putting
forward Of sufel may also mean that
Secretary Nagel approves II ana expects
some higher place with the administers
tion In due season. However strong the
recent conference with the President has
made Stifel as, candidate for the COM
mittee, there are others at home VINO
will ask the honor. Charles ID. Morris,
who is now State chairman, long ago
indicated that he would like to serve.
and Walter Dickey, former State chair
man. has also given the matter careful
consideration
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
STATESMEN, REAL AND NEAR.
By FRED c. KELLY.


The i've doctor members OF the House
are constantly being hunted up by other
members who desire to discuss thstr
symptoms and the diseases they aspire
to.
Joseph slaydsn. Of Texas. touched Dr.
Barchfeid. OF one OF the Pittsburg dis
tricts. on the arm the other day and
said that he wished to converse with him.
Il wish 10 know" began slayden. IF
there Is any way a man can be vacci-
mated or otherwise. protected against In
fant paralysis or chicken pox."
Whose child's been exposed to IT," in
quired Barchfeld.
''Nobody's child" replied Slayden: but
I'm living in mortal terror OF them, es-
pecially infant paralysis. The other night
/ felt a funny little twitch in my thigh.
and I think I'm undoubtedly getting II.
Oh. Just know it,
Aren't you pretty mature for infant
ailments?' asked the doctor.
mo: that's just IT," said Slayden.
"Childrens diseases are my hoodoo.
caught the measles when was nearly
through college. and almost died with Il.
sight. My wife told me she never saw
such a case. Then. at the age Of forty,
foolishly imagining that was old enough
to leave home and friends, went to
Europe. While there got whooping
cough. and II hung ON until had to come
back home and go to bed with It. I'm
due now for either that infant paralysis
or chicken pox, and I'm an unhappy
man.
Barchfeld gave him a pill.
Comparatively few seem to know that
old John Sharp Williams once fought a
duel
1t was when John Sharp was over in
Germany attending Heidelberg Univer-
sity. He and a German student sassed
each other. and the German challenged
him to cooperate with him in determin-
ing which one should die a premature
deaf. John Sharp Williams. being the
challenged party, had the choice Of
weapons. His opponent, forgetting all
about him being an American. supposed
he would pick sabers, just as any Ger
man would; but there was where John
Sharp came along with a neat little joke.
He said they would fight with United
States army revolvers.
The idea OF shooting at a man with a
Colts revolver two feet long was new
10 German dueltng, and the native stu
dent was wreck when the morning ar
rived for them to kill OF one another
John Sharp. on the other hand ate heart
lily Of ham and eggs, as the saying is
and seemed perfectly composed as they
teed themselves up for the opening shot.
The German. with vibrant hand, fred OF
south by southeast Of John Sharp, who
purposely shot up toward a spot about
eight degrees 10 the left of the zenith,
And having thus speedily completed the
mornings entertainment, the principals
shook hands and went their ways
They were discussing the freak bills
that get themselves introduced into Con-
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14

gress every year Says Representative
Ed. Taylor. OF Colorado:
Sometimes ! think the greatest boon
we could have in this country would Be
the adoption Of a Federal statute in ac-
cordance with bin an old character
out IN Colorado once wanted me to offer
to the State legislature. II was entitled
the 'meanest man BILL, and provided for
an election in every c6unty each year to
determine who was the meanest man IN
the county. The man receiving the hiEh-
est vote was to be hung.
Think Of the good such a statute
would do! Just consider what decent
citizens all the people would be who re-
ceived few scattering votes. And those
who stood any chance Of leading the
ticket would move away. In two or three
years every place where the law was in
operation would become a model COM
munity."
The country is oveErun just now with
budding Billy Burnses. young men who
believe they have the native shrewdness
Necessary for a worId-famous detective.
and who pant TO enter the United States
Secret Service. Applications for places in
the Secret Service pass through the
hands Of the Secretary Of the Treasury.
Many OF them TEEN with Unconscious.
humor. Secretary Macveagh noted one
or two recently that seemed especially
formidable in this respect
Il believe I would make a good de-
tective right from the start" wrote one
applicant, ''as I have a friend who is
detective on the B. & o. and 1 have
studied his methods carefully I also
have read all the detective stories in our
Carnegie library. / am quick on the
tongue and attract attention wherever
60"
Another one wrote: II am now en-
ployed in the leading barber shop here
and am equally at home in a parIor dis
cussing dress, in lodge room discussing
baseball. or on the water front discussing
politics"
Representative Bell, OF Georgia. was
showing a rural constituent about the
Capitol, and among other places, took
him into the Supreme Court room.
Il think We have too many courts"
remarked the constituent Il know what
I'm talking about. too. because 1 hap
pen to be judge myseir-that is. a JUS
tice OF the peace. Year before last I had
a fellow before me for snatchinE a pocket
book from a helpless girl and l gave him
SUCH senteuCe as ne uestTNeu. Out udnstu
II one Of the higher courts didn't undo
IL all"
What was your sentencs?' inquired
Bell.
Il sentenced the blamed cur to be
hung" replied the visitor.
]. ]. Jusserand. the French Ambassa-
dor. does not play bridge or use an auto
mobile. He does not play bridge for the
reason that he doesn't like TO, and avoids
automobiles for the simple reason that he
enjoys walking more than riding.
Copyright. 1917. by Fred c. Kelly. All rights re
served-l
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
viOlatOrs of the Law.

The inquiry now being conducted
into the operations of the express CON-
panies reveals state of affairs beyond
imagination. Three thousand viola
tions of the law in single day by these
corporations is one OF the disclosures.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has conferred a positive benefit
upon the public by the energy with
which it has undertaken to uncover and
correct the abuses practiced by the ex-
press companies. A few prosecutions
will teach these companies that they
can no longer violate the law without
punishment, while the regulation of ex-
press rates will save the public from
further imposition.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Economy and AsropIsnes.

Refusal on the part of the House of
Representatives to appropriate SI25,ooo
for aeroplanes, reducing the amount to
$4,000, is much to be regretted The
United States, up to this time, has taken
a leading place among the nations in
developing the air machine as an en-
gine of war. This reduction of the APP
preparation will hamper the department
and make advancement in army aero
nautics next to impossible during the
coming year In the interests of econ
omy this reduction is made, and it is
not outside of possibility that the coun-
try will hold the Democratic House
responsible for its parsimony.
The United States has small and
comparatively inexpensive army. 1t is
the nucleus of a much larger force that
would be provided in case of war by
the militia in the States and by vol
unteer enlistment But the militia and
the volunteers, if called upon, would be
unframed in the scientific clements of
activity in the field. There is every
reason, therefore, why the regular
service should be kept at the height of
efficiency. Part of this efficiency is the
development of the aeroplane as a
means of offense and defense.
1t is necdful that the army should
pursue its experiments and practice
with the flying machine, and SI25.ooo is
not too much to spend upon the project
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
IN THE WAYS OF POLITICS.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
Running for Office IS good exercise, but
so many overdo il.
From the PittsburE Post.
One Of the surprises OF the season is
the haste with which certain Republicans
are getting in under the progressive UNI
breila.
From the Savannah Prezs.
Congress is likely to remain in session
until August. We are in for a long
summer.
From the Omaha Bee.
Most Of the political parties to which
the late Gen. James b. Weaver belonged
died long before he did.
FIum the Milwaukee Free Press
The economy plans of House Democrats
do not contemplate cutting of the 90
cents-a-mile graft coming and going
Frum the Memphis News and scmitsr.
Tom Watson has declared for Under.
wood, n fact which supporters of the
Alabamlan would do well to suppress.
FlOm the Birmingham Ledger.
1t looks as ir Mr.. Bryan failed to real
ize that Congress had fully decided that
IL could get along without the aid OF his
dictation.
Prom the Ohio State Journal.
Some times it seems as II some of the
islands of the sea were made for no
other purpose than TO provide consular
positions.
From the Houston Post.
So long as the Democratic caucus has
courage enough to fiatten out the would
be bosses on the outside it can command
a hefty bunch OF public respect.
Frum the Boston Herald.
With SO paid for a white mans vote
in Delaware and only five for a coIored
mans, the proportiorate superiority OF
the white race is definitely fixed.
From the Knoxville Sentinel
Most of the Democrats OF the State, we
believe, desire harmony, but there is
plenty Of infiamnable material lying
around tnat the striking of match would
explode.
From the Kansas City Times.
While the Democratic anti-third term
resolution does not mention any names,
it Is understood to refer TO certain. per-
son who is scheming to have himself de-
clared emperor.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
President Taft's Speech.

President Taft's speech before the
New York Republican Club was
phrased in happy manner. He insisted
that the Republican party is progressive
in its effort to remedy the abuses
which have arisen from the combina-
tions of capital, that it is progressive
in its attempts to improve the admins
tration of justice, and that it is-progres-
sive in desiring to reform the tariff.
AT the same time, it is not extremist in
the sense that it will adopt all the new
systems OF government which are be-
ing advocated by those who, according
to his point of view, would bring an
archy and revolution.
Mr.. Taft is also reassuring 10 the
business interests of the country when
he says private property has rights
which must be respected, despite the
hysteria of the demagogue He makes
it plain that he has no sympathy with
the policy that would distract business,
impair credit, and sacrifice commercial
development. His positive stand in IA
vOr of stability attracts the support Of
those who, while they demand that the
law shall be enforced, are not willing to
suffer through an upheaval in our busi-
ness system.
Mr.. Taft has not read the history of
this country in vain. 1t was the solid
and substantial business sense of the
United States which defeated William
J. Bryan in 1896 when he advocated
a monetary system which menaccd the
value of every mans property.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
COLOR PHOTOS BY MIsHAP.
New Process that Bids Fair to BE
Direct and inexpensive.

Prom the Philadelphia Record.
Pittsburg, Pa, Feb. ct became
known to-day that officials OF the
Westinghouse Electric and Manufac-
turing Company at the East Pittsburg
plant viii make final test Of discov-
cry of color photography which tran
scends all methods now in use. owing
to their costlIness and inability to re-
produce all colors.
The new process. accidentally dis
covered at the Westinghouse plant. II
is said, is as simple as ordinary pho
Biography. No specially prepared plates
or screens are used.
The discovery was made last Thurs
day by an officiaI photographer through
a blunder. He was photographing a
painted casting, and somehow In the
process allowed an electric lamp to in
terfere On development he found the
natural colors. The phenomenon star
tied him. Carefully noting the nature
OF the accident. he allowed IL again to
occur in another picture. A like result
was obtained: other experiments were
made, and in each case a photograph In
natural colors was obtained, with no
added cost Or special work
Much secrecy Is maintained by the
Westinghouse officials, who, II is said.
viii take out patents on the process, IL
the exhaustive tests prove satisfactory.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Boston Schools Scored.

The public schools of Boston and the
system under which they are at present
maintained have been subjected to very
serious criticism in hearings before the
committee on cities OF the Massachu-
sets legislature.
1t is openly charged that through the
board OF education politics and class
interest have full sway and that the
common people of Boston receive no
consideration in the conduct of public
education. The board is openly ac-
Cused of ignorance in matters OF educa-
ton, Of the exercise of favoritiSm in
making appointments TO clerical posi-
tons, and even to the teaching force,
and Of allowing the schools in general
to deteriorate, while the cost of main
tanning them has in a few years in
creased IS per cent.
But perhaps the most serious objec-
ton is that the Boston schools have run
10 fads. If what is said before the COM
mlttee IS true, nearly every educational
quack and charlatan in the United
States has had a hearing before the
Boston board of education and has had
his pet ideas adopted. In the matter of
manual training, exhibits were made
before the committee of numerous ar
ticles manufactured in the manual train
ing schools which showed not only
crude Workmanship, as they might be
expected to do, but that they were not
designed or executed on practical lines.
Among the objects shown was a hanger
for mems trousers which brought a
smile to the face of every one in the
room, yet it was made in the manual
training school, not as joke, but as an
article Of household use
In like manner it was shown before
the committee that the schools are
given up to intellectual fads as imprac-
ticable as those of the manual training
division, and the conclusion was
reached. by several men giving testi-
mony before the committee that the
education received in the Boston
schools is less useful than If was under
the old classical standards The worst
Of the situation is that the people can
get no hearing before the board of edu-
cation TO state their grievances or Sc
cure respectful consideration of their
desires
Boston is not the only city where
education is running to fads and isms,
and the new methods of instruction.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Public Service Commissioners.

From the New YORK Hsald.
Gov. Dix appears to be in a receptive
frame Of mind for suggestions regarding
appointments.
The governor should have a few
'don1s'' before him while he is making
up his mind.
One OF them should be: Don't appoint
any one public service commissioner for
this district who is urged directly or. in
directly by the Interborough-Metr
tan Company, the New York City Rail-
ways Company. the Third Avenue Rail
road Company, or the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company.
The public win stand much, but it will
not stand that
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Publishing the Pensioners Names,

1t is TO be hoped that the Senate will
agree to the report of the Committee
on Pensions which provides for the pub
lication of the list of pensioners and
that the House will then enact the
proposition into law.
The pension list ought to be a roll OF
honor. Any man or woman whose
name appears upon it in accordance
with law need not apologize or feel
ashamed.
If through publicity frauds can be cx-
posed, the sooner that publicity is au-
thorized the better it will be, for the
country and for the deserving veterans
of the war
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Waiting for Warm Weather.

Let us be thankful that the Weather
Bureau predicts warmer weather, and
then let us hope that the prophecy will
be verified.
Apparently, nothing else will be ef-
fective in removing the ice and dirt
from the streets.
Is it not pity that city like Wash
ington is absolutely dependent upon the
weather in order to enjoy clean streets?
Perhaps it will now be admitted that
there is more energy in the suns rays
than there IS in the street-cleaning de-
partment
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Mar.e Henry, Como Bacl.

From the Philadelphia Press
Marse Henry should come up out OF
the wilderness, and Col Harvey should
nail another candidate u the masthead
OF his weekly Journal OF civilization
With Col. Bryan doing chores down on
his Texas farm, at the same time things
are not as lively as they were on the
Democratic side of the fence To be sure,
Champ Clark and Joe Folk keep right
on making faces at each other, but there
is not enough in that to keep up public
interest. There Is danger in a continued
deadly calm that DR.. Wilson win think
he has got everybody knocked into
cooked hat
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
UNDERWOOD ASCENDANT.
His Conservative Tendencies Give
Him increasing strength.


Him Increasing strength.
Frum the Springfield Republican.
Mr. Underwood has again successfully
asserted himself as the leader Of the
House Of Representatives in the matter
Of the money trust investigation.
While the s. votes against him in
favor of Congressman Henry's resolu-
tion for an investigation by special
committee demonstrate the existence Of
a distinct Bryan wing in the House, they
are chiefly significant in indicating the
almost double strength Of the more con-
servative faction led by Mr.. Underwood,
which mustered lis votes.
But in spite Of the bitter animosities
which seem to have been aroused for the
moment by the contest. the Democrats
have Of late been showing a surprising
capacity for composing their differences
after they have once fought them out in
caucus, and they will probably do so
again IN this instance.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14

which have supplanted the methods of
twenty-five years ago may yet be sub
ject to revision because they do not
achieve practical education
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Not vtth theI BRIGADE
itOr ne washington Herald:

Editor The Washington Herald:
In your issue OF yesterday, Under the
caption Of 'U. S. Marshal Seize Boys.
Guns" you state that Chose who are
siding with the boys brigade are James
Z. Hutchinson, John c. Schroeder. Samuel
P. Harbin, and H. J. Caywood."
Please correct this statement by say
ing that not since the beginning OF this
controversy have 1 oy act or word de-
clared myself In favor OF the brigade.
JOHN @. SCHROEDER.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
was Not q True sport.

From the Rochester Union and Advertiser
An Ohio farmer the other day caught
an immense golden eagle in a trap and
hard time killing the bird. He prob
ably Is proud of his work But true
sportsman would have let the bird 60, es-
pecially when he could see on its left
foot portion Of an old trap.
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
You Know the Type.
Good Values.

She was looking at some satin valen-
tines.
Can you guarantee these ribbons and
this satin?"' she demanded. .....
The dealer was right there with the
answer.
II vouch for everything" he declared
Even the love engendered by these
valentines is guaranteed not to fade"
The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
Wish They Were in n.

From the Philadelphia Prcsss
The money trust-whatever II is-may
be wicked thing. but there are lots Of
people who would be glad to be in It.