davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
is DEEPLY SURPRISED
AT SUPERSTITION

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
/ have been deeply surprised in read
ing the late religious letters in the
mail bag, to find that superstition still
prevails to a large extent In a modern
city, renowned for its libraries. There
seem to be people who still believe in
those poor, weak myths found profuse-
ly in the Bible. The reason for the
fact, that some people think the Bible
is divine book, any more than any
other ancient book OF which the author
Is unknown IS to me ineXplicable. Pos
sibly the repeated statements in thai
book. that IL Is a divine book, has de-
luded those weak brains, which are ac-
customed to being led like skeep, into
believing that there exists in this
mighty Cosmos of untold billions Of
miles in extent. a being in the form of
man, who is king and owner of the
whole. What an idea to be tolerated
in this age of science and knowledge.
One poor, misled woman, writing ] be-
lieve from Clarendon, Va, seems to
ejecting the most absurd and impo,,-
sible fairy tales.
Such people, ! am sorry 20 say, are
dragstones on humanity, retardlng pros
ress and destroying free thought. She
would even ask The Times not to al
low, what she terms Atheists a say
in the Mail Bag. This puts me In mimi
of the dark ages, when people who
thought differently from those in pow
er were hushed and even put to death.
/ am glad to say l have found The
Times to belong to this age and not the
middle ages. FREETHlNkER.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
ASKS WHERE GENESIS
CALLS ADAM FIRST MAN

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
In reply to the many who carry a
critical attitude into their research of
Scripture. 1 would ask, where would
the world be today If it were not for
Christianity? Where would Christianity
be IL 1t were not for the Bible? What
would the Bible be to us, were It not
that Christ set his seal OF recitude on
the moral teachings Of the Old Testa-
ment?
What does it matter whether Jonah
imbibed the whale-as reverend rail-
ers against the Bible would express it
or not. certain person was sent to
Nineveh to warn the people against
their wickedness; he disobeyed and was
punished for doing wrongs. The same
conditions obtain throughout Holy Writ.
and obtains today among all peoples
that wrong eventually receives it's just
reward, and that right and truth sur
vive.
1t would be better to say, "In their
Weighing of handed down stories ABOUT
the Bible" than to say Research in
Scripture" Unbelievers in the Bible do
not read 1t. They are ashamed to BE
seen with a Bible, and in some cases
are very illiterate.
Would Mr.. S. w. Hart please tell me
nv word Of mouth what part in Gene
| sis II states Ihat Adam was or was
not the first man created?
FRANCIS s. NILES,
National Soldiers Home, Johnson
| City, Tenn.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
IMPROVE THE STREETS
AROUND UNION STATION

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
| would call the attention of your
paper to the neglected condition OF the
space of land between the east front
Of Union Station and Second street,
and especially to the fact that + street
has only been paved to Second street.
leaving the portion from there to the
east front of the station unimproved,
although. believe, the law creating the
station required the restoration OF f
street to it's eastern front. AS 1t is
now and has been for the last four
years ii and the surrounding territory
of about two city blocks is a dump,
condition no other city would tolerate
to say nothing of the neglect of the
proper authorities TO have this street
repaved and put to the public use and
convenience. / hope your reporter will
get busy on this job, and let us know
IL this street Is to go by default to the
terminal company's ownership, and it
would prove interesting reading to this
community II you would give a descrip-
ton of the condition of the old Balti-
more and Ohio railroad bed which re-
Verted to the District of Columbia about
five years ago, and is reported to be
intended for West Virginia avenue. The
urgent requests for money to purchase
ground for new streets in the northwest
section might we'll be delayed to give
the northeast section the benefit of this
one outlet to the north. which it 81
much needs. A TAXPAYER.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
WANTS LIGHT FROM BAKERS
ON COST OF LIVING

To the Editor of THE TIMES.
At this period in the history of our
country and the world in general, when
there Is a great deal said and printed
regarding the high cost of living and
the relatively higher and higher sell
ing price Of most commodities, II occurs
to me that one of the most used articles
of food-the staff Of life-bread, has
been overlooked and not been properly
credited for still remaining at the same
old price of cents a loaf, the pour
mans friend in a time of need. And
have wondered how this can be that an
article in such universal demand, manu-
factured from a product of the soil anu
the mill can still remain at the same
price; why the bread makers have not
been forced to increase the selling price
or go out of business. Yet, ! understand
that one of our large bakers. instead
of retiring from the field of activity, II
now erecting large addition to his
plant, Just as though there were still
money to be made at baking and selling
bread in Washington at per.
Now, Mr.. Editor, 1t strikes me thdt
Il might be a good idea to send SOME
one around to interview a few of thCsc
bakers and find out, II possible, hon
this thing is done. Possibly there ma
be some system discovered, some secret
methods brought to light whereby oth-
ers NAV be enabled to also cater TO the
demands Of the public without increas-
ing the burdens of the consumer? Al
the very least we might join in giving
this one class of public servants word
of praise. J. c. MULFORD.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
DRAWS PARALLEL ON
MILL STRIKE INCIDENT

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Quotation from Les Miserables di-
rectly-indirectly from history:
In 1885, a poor Huguenot woman, while
sucking her child, was fastened, naked to the
waist, to a stake. while her infant was held
at a distance. Her breast was swollen with
milk. her heart with agony; the babe, hun
cry ana pale, saw that breast and screamed
for II. and the hangman said to the wife,
mother, and nurse, "Abiure," giving her the
choice between the death of her infant and
the death of her conscience.
Quotation from Washington Times,
February "a, 1912:
Fifty policemen. under command OF Mar
shal Sullivan, and two companies of militia
interfered today with the attempt of the
strike committee to send fifty children from
the city to outside towns, where they would
be cared for,
The strike leaders have openly charged this
action was taken at the behest OF the mill
owners who know that If the children are
kept here and forced to suffer their parents
will give up the struggle. CCan anyone suE-
Eest another motive for this aCtionD I"
number OF women had their clothing torn
when they were driven back by the police
after they tried to rejoin their children.
Is 1t we'll to range with science,
glorying in the time?
Shall the tendareSt emotion
with which the human heart can beat
BE converted to a weapon
TO club the parents TO defeat?
MARY.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
SAYS CITY DIRECTORY
is SIX MONTHS LATE

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
have seen IL stated In the papers
that one reason why the Washington
iity directory comes out so late ~
lhe year is because so many people
are away from town in summer. What
mas the sumfher TO do with a direc-
'ory dated January. If enough can.
StssseIS We're nut on the work, say iB
NoVember, and enough compilers,
lhere ls no reason why a directory
should not be out in January. but the
way the work has been conducted bv
Nhe same publishers for the last fortJ
years or more the directory is about
SIN months old when delivered and
WITHIN that time thousands of people
nave moved and II Is practically
worthless. The city directory of Ber-
I'm, Germany, city of over two mil
lion Inhabitants, is canvassed in No
January the first
AN EX- SUBSCRIBER.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
THINKS MATHEMATICS
INTERESTING AS JONAH

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
l noticed in a recent issue OF your val
liable paper that one correspondent in
the Mail Bag thought it time to stop
using valuable space for these simple
problems. 1t seems that not all your
correspondence are as advanced in
mathematics as this critic, as they do
not all agree in the solution of these
simple problems. | certainly think that
these problems are as interesting and Hs
profitable as most of the Bible discuss
sions as to whether the whale sWal-
lowed Jonah or Jonah swallowed the
whale or whether or not the whole story
Is myth: story which If 1t could be
decided would not in any way erect
mans moral or religious life here nor
his future destiny.
In your issue of February "a your cor
respondent "I." says that both the ditch
problem and the stamp window prob
lem contain impossible provisions.
agree with 'I.' as to the ditch problem,
but beg to differ as to the stamp win
dow problem, The price of each de-
nomination OF stamps ordered must be
a multiple of FIVE, therefore, the stamp
clerk would give five 2-cent stamps, fifty
l-cent stamps: eight 5-cent stamps.
l think this fills every provision con-
tanned in the problem.
g. w. RICKETT.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28

all events the issue is ioned, and the world looks
on with measure Of interest at this battle OF
the cooking schools.
There is much in the history of cookery to flat
ter the pride of both parties to the controversy Our
Ango-Saxon ancestors we're great tosspots, as Ham
let himself gives us to understand from the manners
Of the Danes, which would have been more honored
in the breach. Our English cousins may have i'm
proved since they earned the reproach Of having
twenty religions and only one sauce, but they are
still more or less boodthrsty in their taste for
vands. 1t was in double sense that British Byron
wrote:
But beef is within. these oxless isles.
II was from France and Italy that the distinctive
schools of cookery sprang. Back there in the days
when the Athenian family did not keep cook but
went to the market place to hire for special oc
casons, it was the swart Sican who was recognized
as the mastercraftsman. In the luxurious days of
Rome the cook who served the banquets Of Apicus
made fortune which could be equaled by preda-
cious proconsus only by plunderng province. We
gather from the Rorers and Francaellis Of the period
that garlic gained national favor which it has never
lost.
1t can hardly be contested that the French owe
the refnements of cookery to the house Of Medci,
which came to reign over them. But then as
now, they touched nothing which they did not adorn.
In dispensing with the profuse use of oil, and SUBJ
stutng the art of dressing meat in its own gravy,
the French cook discovered a new world Of gas
tronomy. He has wrought nightly in his own realm
ever SINCE and he will not lightly allow himself to
be displaced by this Italian sch7o
The whole country will probably be drawn into
this kitchen conflict, which is to the skewer. The
digestion of an anxious people awaits the issue as to
whether Francois or Tony shall up the others
heart en- brochette.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
IS 1T WORTH WHILE?

ragamuffn army that might almost fill the
spotlight space on large stage has captured, af-
tcr an imitation battle" in opera bouffe 'revolu-
ron Struggling border city" on the Mexico-Amer-
Kan line Forthwith another attack of hysteria,
vood-npe headlines and Chauvnistic protestation
mat our national honor is endangered. The roof
garden military observers in El Paso the line,
o. the automobile and trolley war" correspon-
Sents from this side might be Inconvenience if some
oF the things they have been hoping to see, should
happen. We really must intervene; an army must
Re thrown across the border" must police
Nexico. establish a stable government; take the
blooing country if necessary garrison it, and keep
Il good.
Maybe So but it is worth while to think what all
ehaf might mean. There is more real harm going on
Ef lawrence. Mass. more menace to the United
States chance of folks getting hurt, than has
developed thus far in the new Mexican revolution"
II there must be excitement, military
operafionS 10 observe, why not watch the perform
snceS Of the Massachusetts, State guards at Lawrence
These Mexicans are bit quick OH their revolu
6onsry trigger, but not very harmful few months
ago they in the "throes" of another revolution
Il ended all at once in perfectly comical battle, !"
and the MaderiSts came into power. Now they have,
n uurn, q revolution their hands. 1t seems to re-
cure q minimum of nineteen or twenty drunkS and
6isordcriies TO make revolution down there
But suppose We move in and attempt to pacify
ne country That will mean war, not tropical
revolution Il will mean that suddenly united
Melcsn people will be opposed to 1t will mean
ne necessity Of SUCCEEDING, whatever the cost.
Look At Itsys plight in Tripol Is it desirable
for the United States get into such scrape? OF
ooGrse, can Subdue Mexico; trouble about
rat But is the amusement of doing it; is even
Ge rageantry of foreign military campaign as a
Reinforcement to the Administrations oncoming po-
EnSal campaign worth what it will cost?
u &C move into Mexico, will have to 60
cIesT an. Il Uil be years before we can come out
PerhspS. &c never will. Is it desirable, at time
Nhen Ne arc far from solution Of domestic prob
lens. TO oOmPiicate them by Punging into the tur-
noil Of foreign conflict?
u would seem that this is an excellent time to
sErrrcss this Canal to Canada" talk, forget some
very nonsensoa conversation about manifest des
nv thsf sxuded from an overweight community
fcE wears ago. and decide to keep our fingers from
sciBg burned in the Mexican pepper pot just as Ions
a. reside
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
THE TAFT PHALANx OF GOVERNORS.

Twelve governors of States-just one for every
four States in the Union have declared for Mr..
Taft. They are:
Carroll, of Iowa, standpaner whose standing
in his State is indicated by the fact that in 1908 he
had l07,588 plurality, and in 1910 was reelected
with l8,444 plurality.
Hay, of Washington, elected as a progressive,
afterward wabbled and finally landed in the stand
pat-Jm Hill column.
Eberhart, of Minnesota, succeeded to governor
ship by the death of Governor Johnson notoriously
out of harmony with his States overwhelming anti
Taft sentiment
Goldsborough, of Maryland, held the best Fed
era job Taft could give in Maryland till he was
elected governor. '"~''
Pothier, of Rhode Island, Aldrich's governor of
Aldrichs State His standing is indicated by the
fact that in 1909 he had 1884 plurality and in 1910,
$40.
Spry of Utah; Smoots governor
Pennewill, of Delaware, governor of the Powder
trusts headquarters.
Tener, of Pennsylvania, Penrose's man. Bare
ly elected in 1910 with only per cent of the State
vote and only 334S4 plurality over Berry Keystone
candidate. In 1908 the State gave 297,OOl Republi-
can plurality.
Hooper, Of Tennessee; elected governor by a
fusion of Republicans and Democrats
Deneen, of Illinois, whose standing is indicated
by the fact that in 1904 he had 299,l49 plurality,
and in 1908 had 23l64.
Oddie, of Nevada, State that in 1910 cast a
total of 2O,626 votes.
Mead. of Vermont, who received 1888 plu-
raliN in 1910 while the State gave his predecessor
Prouty, in 1908, 29,645 plurality
The Taft crowd of governors contains not man
who has done progressive act. 1t is the most rep.
resentative aggregation of mediocry that has ever
been summoned to sponsor mediocrity.
Compare il to Johnson, of California; Bass, OF
New Hampshire Aldrich, of Nebraska; Stubbs, OF
Kansas; McGovern, of Wisconsin; Osborn, of Mich.
gan; Vessey, of South Dakota Glasscock, of West
Virginia; HadIey, of Missouri, who have declared
against Taft and for Roosevelt every man of them
the leader of progressive movement that has i'm.
pressed his State and nation. 1t is worth thinking
about
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
What's on the Program tn
Washington Today

The following Masonic organizations
will meet tonight: Lodges-Harmony.
No. Il. F. c.; school of instrtEction.
Knights Templar-Washingto Com
mandery, No. I, inspection. Eastern
star Chnpters-Naomi. No. 3, colonial
party; BrUokland, No. II.
The following l.. Q. o. F. organizations
will meet tonight: LodGcs-Ea stern,
No. 7, and Federal city, No. 90, de-
gree work: Harmony, No. Q. and
Friendship. No. II. business. Encamp-
ment--CoiunbiHn No. ], degree work
The following Knights of Pythias Or
Plantations will meet tonight: Lodges
Mt Vernon, No. s.. Hernlione, No. ~;
Union, No D.; Columbia, No 26 Py-
THAN Siste"s--Fricndship. No. 9, bust
ness
Meeting of Georgetown Circle, No s2s.
p. Il. c. Pythian Temple, S D. m.
To Great Falls-Great Falls and Old
Dominion railroad cars every few
minutes from Thirty-siXth and Nj
streets.
specIaI drill by cavalry and artillery,
riding hall, Forty Myer, S:l5 .. NJ
SpeciaI exhibition of paintings by Miss
Cecilia Beaux, Corcoran Gallery of
Art.
Hamilton Wright Mabie, Thompson
school, Twelfth and l. streets north
Reading Of selected stories by Mrs.
Horace Mann Towler, of Iowa, read
ing room for the blind, p. m.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
CONTRIBUTORS THEMSELVES
MAKE UP MAIL BAG

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
In the name Of a suffering public.
give us a rest from the brain teasers
and silly puzzles. I. for one, am about
recovering from an attack of vertigo,
from constantly seeing this headline,
1.-The Evolved Caucasian and His So
cial System" and now It's the hound
dog we are to have served up every day
with a variety OF trimmings. Mr.. Editor.
I have been Il must use the past tensel
greatly interested in The Times Mail
Bag, but here lately am getting a
little weary. and the Mail Bag is get
ting on my nerves, and l dare say a
good many others can say their nerves
are worn to a "frazzle." Give us a
few readable articles, on every day oc-
curances all about us, and ! am sure
they will be appreciated. MRS. ..
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
NORTHERNER ENDORSES
CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL
q Editor of THE TIMES:

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
The chief topic of interest among the
from their convention which will be held
in the National Capital next fall, is the
movement for a Confederate monument
in Arlington.
While success seems to harmonize with
this work there remains, however,
deficit of $4,000, which it is sincerely
hoped may be secured by the Daughters
for the completion and installation OF
this memorial within the next two
years.
This monument, which will be the
most artistic and imposing structure of
ington, is not a memorial 10 the dead
of any particular county or State. but
to the heroes of all the Confederacy.
1t is gratefully remembered by the
people of the South in general, and the
Confederate veterans in particular how
Kinley gave his best effort in behalf OF
securing for the Confederate dead that
beautiful plot of ground in Arlington
Cemetery, where now rest the bodies
of more than 26O Confederate soldiers.
All the expense Of collecting and re-
interring these bodies which represent
every state of the Confederacy, was de-
frayed by the Federal Government.
AS NOrtherner ! am frank to say
that l have the profoundest respect and
deeds-deeds that will live forever in the
brightest pages of the worlds history.
Hence. I heartily approve of the erec-
ton of the Confederate memorial at Ar
lingtOn, which will stand as fitting
tribute to the herosm,. strength of soul
people of the South through ordeals OF
trial and sacrifice.
100 Virginia Ave. Southwest.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28

as many OF them will need to make ar
rangements to meet their financial OBJ
legations incurred by undue expenses
necessary because of their having made
visits to their homes after assurance
by the director that they would not be
dismissed perhaps until June 90, as
the records were excellent and on ac-
count of their States apportionment.
Can we not, at least, know at this late
time II or not we will be allowed pay
for sick leave, which has been taken
at risk since January Land pay for
accrued annual leave?
1t seems and is unjust that later
permanent clerks here shall receive
(after March 31), when we are gone,
when II would seem that the officials
In charge think we will have forgotten
their shortcomings. NJ. s.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
THE BATTLE OF THE CHEFS.

An0fher international war has broken out.
France and Italy are embroiled 1t is the battle of
ne tasting spoons and indigestion take the hndmost
HcSuIties began when the French chef de
c-isnc Of Chicago hoStelry was supplanted by a
master Of the kitchen from sunny Italy. LapeTuque
ard his miniOus arc in full retreat and Cucco and
- carbonari are in full possession. GOurmets who
-E-uuiEc me exclusive refreshment emporium in
guesrion have noticed that number of dishes pc
-ar % Etay have erept into the bill Of fare Menu
Fr--eh Il uot supPlaHted By Italian may, al least
t-r1r ccuPromiss On ne use Of plain English. Al
The Washington times., 1912-02-28

minds Of the day are deeply interested
in psychicaI research, Among other re-
nowned scientists delving into things
psychical, / mentioned the names of Sir
william Crookes and Sir oliver Lodge.
The typesetter, probably having in mind
the fact that these men are in the fore
front Of the worlds greatest physicists,
rendered my "psychical research into
physical research altering somewhat
the sense OF my presentment.
II facts are physical, or II facts point
to the spiritual, these men follow the
facts-wheresoever they lead. There is
piling up mountain of evidence that
bodily death. AS Gladstone said "Psy-
chical research is the greatest work
going on in the world!' TEkLOF.
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
AKlN'S SILENT SPEECH
GREAT OBJECT LESSON
To the Editor OF THE TINES.

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
The Hon. Mr.. Atkins silent speech. in
which he placed placard upon the
clerks desk, showing a full dinner
pall'' of 1900 and a smaller one of 1918, IS
a great object lesson and will undoubt-
edly cause millions of the wage slaves
to exclaim: my God is the pail to get
still smaller" or course, many OF
their brains are so benumbed by hunger
they can not think intelliCently for you
can no more use your mental power to
watch without a main spring.
l believe II the people would ask this
gentleman what to do to restore the
pail to its original size he would not
answer In the words of Taft, God
knows" MRS NJ. r. SQUIRE,
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
WILL CENSUS CLERKS
GET ACCRUED LEAVE? ?

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
IL would seem that almost enough
has appeared in The Times Mail Bag
of late, to bring out all the troubles
OF the temporary clerks, but such is
far from it. The temporary clerks to-
Gay received their formal notices Of
course, was expected, but the clerks
so dismissed would like to know why
1t is that the Director of the Census
will not state whether the clerks so
dismissed will receive pay for the FIVE
days annual leave, which has accrued
since January !. 1t is proper and just
that they should, at least. know this,
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
WORLD DOESN'T NEED
DOUBTING THOMASES

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
As a Christian, l cannot bear to see
and read such frivolous things said
about the Bible. our Book Of Books.
II we do not believe in the Bible, what
else have we to depend on for our SAL
walton? If 1t were not an inspired
Book, 1t would not have been saved
all through the Dark Ages and many
troublous times. Nothing is impossible
with God. and such things as the flood,
the saving OF many animals, and the
story of Jonah are nothing for Him to
perform. When we look at our beautiful
world and remember He was the Gre
ator CT that. that is enough, without
any doubling Thomases G. III,
The Washington times., 1912-02-28
SHELTER FOR OIL CANS
BUT NOT FOR HUMANS

To the Editor Of THE TINES
Hurrah! Hurrah! Three cheers for The
Washington Terminal Company. The'
have built a shed over two oil cans TO
protect the oil from tho rain at lvv
City. Shelter for oil, shelter for lum-
Der, shelter for machinery. but, oh, you
human being impossible to hurt you!
BLANCH FRY.