davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
LFrom The Tribune Rnrenn.l

lfEom Inc Irlbune bureau.I
Washington. Feb. 8.-cardinal Gibbons
was the guest or honor at a dinner tonight
given by Mrs Henry c. Corbln. He will
be entertained at DIM er by Mrs. William
L. Draper tomorrow.
The Monday Dancing Class, which was
abolished with the advent OF Lent, has
been replaced by the milder diversion OF
skating, and Wednesday afternoons during
Lent will be devoted to that pastime. The
members arc Mr.. and Mrs. Preston Gibson,
Viscount and Viscountess Bencist day,
Representative and Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth, the Misses Meyer and several Of the
younger diplomats and society people. The
class will meet at the Arcade. Tea will be
served during the skating hours
The Monday subscription skating classes
for the benefit of the Washington Auxiliary
OF the Navy League opened this afternoon
at the Arcade, and will continue during
Lent. Much formallty attended the OPEN
ing, Mrs. Beekman Winthrop and Mrs
Frank l.. Beatty receiving the subscribers
The Mayfower band played during the af-
ternoon. Another interesting event sched-
uled for charity during the Lenten season
is the hat sale. which will take place on
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27

bling were discovered on their premises
the tracks were closed. The falslty oi
all this should be demonstrated conclu-
sively Mt the proposed investigation Dy
the racing associations lawyers ana VIII
nesses. and the laws changed to FOSTER
this vast combination Of business ana
pleasure. And that the benefits OF thls
suggestion he not confined TO one group
Of people, we suggest that there be legis-
lative Investigation of the relation OF
the Penal Code to poolrooms and bucket
shops, with view TO permitting the
poolroom men and bucketshop proprie-
tors 10 agree with the authorities on
laws which will not be construed IN re-
straint Of their trade. There might also
be legislative investigation of the oper'
alton Of the laws preventing theft end
burglary, that the personal liberty of the
patrons of those gentle arts be not In
fringed. The list Of Investigations
doubtless will be expanded even further
by the able and intelligent Legislature,
which knows that it should not play IA
vorites, even the racetracks.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
THE CRISIS IN COAL.

II would be folly to seek to minimize,
as it would also be difficult to exagger-
ate, the gravity Of the situation this
week in the coal industry in Great Brit
ain, and indirectly in other countries, in
Guiding even the United States. We
have hitherto explained the chief issues
In the British dispute. The crucial
point is the granting of minimum
wage for all Underground workers. Un-
less that is granted tomorrow every
miner in the United Kingdom who be-
longs TO trade union will strike on
Thursday. The gravity of the situation
is so keenly recognized that the govern
ment itself is bending all its energies to
effect settlement of the dispute with
out strike, and it feels that if it fails
to do so its own political status will be
seriously compromised, if its very exist,
ence is not endangered.
Meantime, what Of other lands? II
is said that British organized labor
will prevent the importation of coal to
supply the shortage caused by the
strike. But what of the countries which
import coal from Great Britain? We
must remember that coal and coke are
the third largest Of all British exports,
amounting to nearly $200OO0,OO0 worth
year. OF course, exports will cease
during the strike. That will mean loss
TO British commerce. 1t will also mean
Inconvenience IL not worse to countries
which look to Great Britain for supplies.
France, for example. buys more than
ten million tons year from the United
Kingdom, and her stock on hand is said
Just now to be particularly low. Ger
many buys similar amount, and coal
less Italy nearly as much. What arc
they going to do about It?
Perhaps they will look to this country
That would be profitable TO us, though
enormously costly TO them. In that
event the state Of the industry here
would be OF interest. The present men.
ace OF strike or suspension is in the
anthracite field. and that might have 70
bearing upon the European demand,
which would be for bituminous coal.
But it is not exactly certain what course
our soft coal miners might take in such
a case. 1t is threatened that they would
refuse to mine or handle coal intended
for strike-breaking purposes in Great
Britain. There is no assurance that
they would not also demw to providing
coal for supplying the shortage which
was caused in other lands by the Brit
ish strike, since that would in meas.
ure be strike-breaking also. The miners
IN Great Britain will rely largely upon
the distress In other lands to force com.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
THE CROOK AND THE SULLIVAN


CITY Magistrate Corrigan. who perhaps
is not without prejudice, makes one III
teresting suggestion regarding the reason
for the obvious failure of the Sullivan
law to relieve the city of the pistol-carry-
ing crook. That law made the carrying
of concealed weapons without permit
felony. instead of misdemeanor' as II
had been before. The punishment Tor
the offence is thus increased. But Mr.
Corrigan says that it is now much more
difficult to obtain a conviction than IL
WAS formerly. When the offence was
misdemeanor the crook carrying plstoi
was tried before Special Sessions judges,
without sentiment, as Mr.. Corrigan puts
IT, Now his case goes before grand
iury and then before a trial jury, ana
his chances Of escape from punishment
according TO the magistrate, are thereby
increased.
II would be interesting TO know how
the statistics Of punishment for this OF
fence under the present law compare
with those under the old law. Are there
more failures Of justice? 1t Is com
mon experience that as the state IN
creases the severity Of the penalty for
an offence it decreases the chances OF
conviction. That may have been the re-
suit in this instance especially as some
absurd acts of the police in enforcing the
Sullivan law at the outset tended 10
make it unpopular. But, whatever the
reason, whether it is because no effective
effort Is made to enforce the Sullivan
law or because it cannot be enforced,
gun men are numerous, and there has
been no lack of gun play in the recent
outbreak Of crime.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
THE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES BILL

Nothing would do more to take the
judiciary out Of politics in this state aud
to insure careful non-partisan consid-
Grafton by the voters of candidates for
judgeships than the bill Of Senator Loo
mis- providing for separate ballot for
judiciary candidates, on which their
names would be printed without party
designations. This would in effect apply
the Massachusetts ballot to judicial Of
fees. The use of that ballot for all
many officials are elective, presents diff.
culties, but there are good reasons in
favor of using it for filling judicial posi-
tions.
II is the party column. with the IA
tally easy method Of voting for all the
candidates by single mark at the top,
that gives Murphy his control over judi.
cial elections In this county. Were
the judgeship candidates taken out of
the party column and placed upon n
small separate ballot arranged alphabet.
ically, without party designations, In &C.
cordance with the provisions Of Senator
Loomis's bill, Tammany's power to use
the courts to furnish party patronage
would be practically broken. Party
hacks with little experience at the bar
and no fitness for the bench would stand
small chance of election If the voter were
invited TO exercise discrimination by
voting for each judicial candidate sepa-
rately and without the suggestion of
party names or emblems.
1t is to such hopeful reforms as this
bill promises that the public must look
for a means Of restoring the fullest con
fdence in the courts and Of resisting the
progress of such measures of dissatisfac-
ton as the judicial recall. One way of
reducing the laws delays is to put men
Of character and ability on the bench.
Men placed there by the bosses often
waste the appellate courts time with
their ignorant blunders.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
AT The WHITE HOUSE.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau. J

IFr0m Jnc Tribune BureduJ
Washington. Feb 26.-The White House
was the scene of much political discussion
to-day, the Presidents calling list when
is usually slim on Monday, being unusually
large. The Vice-President was among the
early callers
The Secretary OF War, following a con-
ference with the President on the Mexican
situation which is much improved to-day
refused to discuss the Roosevelt announce
ment, saying: 81 will state my position IN
my Chicago speech Until then Will issue
no statement This speech Will outline
plainly and fully my views upon the po'
litical developments"
Senator Curtis said: Il have not changed
my position in the slightest degree. | am
for President Taft and shall support him
cordially. l. believe, furthermore. that he
will be nominated and elected"
A flood of kilograms, coming from all Sec
tions of the country. assuring the President
that "the country is with you and saying
stand firm" was received.
The President, the Attorney General and
Representative Berger discussed the Law
renee, Mass, strike. Mr.. Berger urged fed
eral action. Mr.. Taft asked Mr.. Wicker
sham to look into the matter and report to
him, which he did this afternoon. The
Massachusetts authorities report the strike
under control.
Among the White House callers were
Chief Justice White, Assistant Secretary
Adams. Ex-Governor Wilson of Kentucky,
Senators Crane, Nixon, Taylor, Foster and
Shively, Representatives Martin, Reilly
Doremus, Stevens, Burke, Morgan Giliett'
Thayer Cannon. Kinkaid, De Forest, sui
zer, Hawley and Foster and ex-Representa-
tive Diekema.
The President and Major Butt took a long
walk this afternoon in downpour of rain.
The weekend house party at the Whito
House ended to-day. when Crawford Hill,
of Canada, and Job Hedges, of New YORK,
left the city. Miss Marion Crane, Miss Ar
thurs, Miss Lewis and Miss FAIRIES, all
Bryn Mawr schoolgirls, left late yesterday.
The musical which Mrs. Taft will give at
the White House on Friday Isl in honor OF
the members of the Congressional Club ana
a return courtesy for the many times the
club has entertained her. Miss Harriet
Anderson, who was first the guest OF her
aunt, Mrs. Taft, and later of the Secretary
OF the Navy and Mrs. Meyer has gone 10
New York for a short visit before return
ng to her home in Cincinnati.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27

that not merely among irresponsible
chatterers. about war OF repii'"I'
against the United States; tnough lor
what 'reprisals" are desired Is not "p
narent. seeing that those who tax tnus
also declare that the recent action OF the
limited States was to Russias adVan,
tage, and seeing that all the Chi'eu
States did was TO give notice OF aorosa.
ton of a treaty according 10 It's o"n
terms. Surely the fulfilment OF the
terms of q treaty should not be cause
of offence. A..
The Russian view appears TO be tnat
as the balance of trade between the t"o
countries is heavily in Americas Ia'oi'
q commercial war would be more cosuy
to this country than to Russia. Yet II
is possible that the country Whlch ID
the larger purchaser, instead OF tne
larger seller, might be the greater SUI
ferer from commercial warfare II 10
tr7le that the United States Is the lnlru
largest seller TO Russia, while IL Is an III
significant sixteenth on the list of those
m which Russia sells. But then Russla
is about sixteenth on the list OF those 10
which the United States sells. Our eA'
norts TO Russia are only about l per
cent of our total. really a neglSlpie
ouantitv. the Joss of which might not pe
nearly as embarrassing TO us as 1t would
he for Russia to find to equal advantage
in other markets the 3 or per cent OF
her purchases which she now gets ircln
rs But the total amount Of commerclai
interests between the two countries is
90 email that If would seem to be hardly
worth while 70 quarrel over it.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
SUGGESTIONS FOR LAWMAKERS.

The suggestion which is being made at
Albany that there be legislative inves-
tigation of the bearing of the so-called
anti-gambling laws on the closing OF
racetracks in this state, with a view to
amending the statute so as to bring
about horse racing again, merits the sup
port of every advocate Of law and order
1t is well recognized now that the only
way to draft laws on matters subject to
the slightest controversy is to have a
joint legislative committee take exhaus-
tive testimony, roll up charges which
use up $4,000 appropriation and ne
cessitate second one and an extension
of the life Of the committee, and then
depute to high priced counsel the writing
Of q report and the framing of proposed
legislation. That assures proper DELHI
Grafton and accurate knowledge of the
subject.
Through some unfortunate combina-
tion of circumstances the public has OBJ.
tained an idea that racetracks and pro-
fessional gambling are inseparable, per-
haps because after the passage of re-
cent law forbidding public gambling at
the tracks and making the racetrack au-
thorities liable to punishment il gam
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
THE DIM PAST.
tor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Trtbupe.
Sir: was greatly surprised few morn
ings ago TO read communication signe1
Justice and Mercy in which the party
who wrote endeavored to show that those
poor fellows" who caused the death OF
Jennie Bosschieter had suffered enough and
should be released. Such communications
as these are hardly worth answering. Here
is a case where four men deliberately con-
spired to cause the ruin of a young wona'.,
and. perhaps, while they did not mean
to kill her, still, in the oplaion of many.
the crime they wilfuly and Intentionally
carried out was worse than murder. That
one of them was a married man made the
case the more revolving He, at least. should
have had the common sense to try TO dis
suade the others from their proposed crime.
AS to the disgrace brought on their fami-
lies who brought the disgrace but them
selves? Certainly they must have realize1
when they entered into this conspiracy
what the result would be should the truth
ever come out. Perhaps Justice and
Mercy" feels that had this unfortunate girl
recovered from this criminal attack thero
would have been no disgrace on her. She
did right in battling with them, and thu
fact that she died in defending herself re-
bounds to her credit.
There should be no shortening of their
sentences. The crime they committed was
one Of the most contemplate. the lowest
and the vilest crime that they could have
attempted, and. In my opinion, the sem
tence they received was not enough. Lie
or the electric chair would have been too
good for them. Let us forget this maudlin
sympathy and deal with the facts Of the
case. REAL JUSTICE AND MERCY"
Brooklyn, Feb. 2l. 1872
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27

RTJSSJ "REpRTSATG

The movement in Russia toward re
prisals" against the United States is
more formidable and truculent in spirit
than in letter. 1t could not be regarded
as offensive for that country to investi-
gate the comparative merits of the ma
chinery manufactured in various lands,
with view to determining which 1t
was best to purchase; nor yet for 1t to
seek to promote its own manufactures
of such things. The latter is precisely
what we ourselves have done, and are
doing. The same Is to be said Of in
yestigations and experiments In cotton
culture in Turkestan. Moreover, the ap-
preparation Of about $1S0,O00 for both
of these purposes is entirely too small
to be terrifying. Making allowance for
the proverbial Russian methods in such
matters. that sum would scarcely be suf-
ficient for thorough investigation, not to
mention the actual waging of a cam
paign.
II is the spirit in which the thing
is done, or is said TO be done, that is
significant Any investigation or enter
prise. however laudable it might be in
trinsically, which was intended directly
as q measure Of commercial and indus
trial war against the United States,
would be a matter Of concern. The ap-
preparation of single ruble in such a
campaign could not be permitted to pass
unnoticed. And 1t is to be noted that
there has been much talk in Russia, and
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
FOR FRANCO-GERMAN AMlTY
Kaiser and French Presiden'
May Meet at Frontie''

Paris Feb. 26.--Both French ana Gtfipas
diplomats and members OF the frehcn ps.
German cabinets are considering AZ su'
present moment plans for a meeting ~
tween President Fallieres and the Germs"
Emperor, according to report euIe"'
we'll informed quarters.
The meeting like the visit OF Niscos
Haldane to Berlin. would represent ano'n'
effort to consolidate the peace OF Eu,ops
and be an indication to the world ma'
France is ready to do everything poss''7
in the interest Of the worlds harmony
The recent ratification OF the rrano''
German accord on the subject of Moroce.
paves the way for still another step to"'"'
the establishment OF more friendly rem
tions between the two countries. The ms'
is that President Fallleres should go
Belfort, the French fortress town on 'ae
frontier, in September next, and thaV sns
Emperor should cross the fronuer s'''
greet the French President. u.
AS this is the last year OF President rs'
leres's term of Office, the meeting oet"se'
the head Of the French nation and the or''
man Emperor would be especially appl''
pirate. The matter, however, is one OF ".
greatest delicacy. as the diplomats mus
reckon with public opinion In France
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
MISS TAFT ARDENT RIDER
Bad Weather Fails to Keep Presi-
dents Daughter Indoors.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington. Feb. 26.--Miss Taft is prov
ing herself one of the most strenuous
horsewomen of the capital. and, rain or
shine. is seen whirling about the Potomac
speedway on her peppery little mount,
Chncapin. followed by Sergeant McDer-
mott, who won fame as the constant COM
panion of ex-President Roosevelt on his
cross-country rides.
This morning when Chlncapin was
brought to the south front OF the White
House steady rain was falling. but all
unmindful of that fact Miss Taft soon ap-
peared, wearing a perfectly plain black
habit and natty black derby on her
plainly dressed hair, and while policeman
and Sergeant McDermott held the restless
mount, one on either side Of the bride,
Miss Taft swung lightly into the saddle
At gesture both men loosed Chincapin's
bride, and as IL he knew that his rider
was mistress OF the situation he at once
settled into demure gait, and, with Ser
gcant McDermott following, went down the
White House drive
The gentle spirit, however, did not long
possess him, for as soon as the open street
was reached he made a plunge for free
dom, ana WIN the erect UBurC OF Miss
Taft in an easy. graceful sway dashed
toward the Potomac Drive Sergeant Nc
Dermott had all he could do TO keep pace,
and even In his most strenuous days as
orderly for President Roosevelt never en-
joyed a liveller ride.
McDermott always rode with President
Roosevelt and members of his family, and
had much to do with teaching the younger
children to ride. With the election OF
President Taft, who rides occasionally. he
kept his place. and Chincapin is q mount
OF his choosing He is as good a Judge Of
horsehesh as he is a rider. Achilles, one
of the favorite horses Of the former Presi-
dent, is the only one OF his stable left
President Taft required a heavier mount
and preparation are being made for him to
take part of his exercise on horseback dur
ing the strenuous times of campaign days
Miss Taft has become so fond OF the
pastime that even the recent blizzard did
not stop her, and though her rides We're
confined to half hour run she never
missed them.
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
WILL FIGHT SUNDAY SHOWS
Conference of Clergymen to Put
Law Up to Mayor.

Clergymen OF New York voted yesterday
to fight the Sunday vaudeville the moving
picture shows and TO back Senator Stillwell
In his work In Albany on the same lines
The decision was made at the Clerical Con-
ference Of the Federation of Churches, held
In the hall Of the Metropolitan Building
Preachers OF nearly all Protestant bodies
were present and took part. The Rev. Dr.
S. Edward Young, Of Brooklyn, presided
The man who made the set speech OF the
afternoon was Fl. A. Steward. of the Theat-
rical Protective Union. He said theatre
employees work seven days each week, often
from 1:So to midnight. and some Of them
from o'clock in the morning until mid
right. The conference voted to name a
committee to wait on Mayor Gaynor and
TO ask him why the Sunday law as set
forth in Section 27 Of the Penal Code is
not enforced. The committee was instruct
ed TO point out 10 Mayor Gaynor the harm
OF Sunday shows.
Senator Stllwelrs bill at Albany REIN
forces Section 277, and If passed will prac-
tically compel the section to be enforced
New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
COLONEL LELAND'S GIFT.
A Tribute to the Metropolitan Mu
seum's --latest Benefactor.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The recent noble gift Of a million
dollars made by Colonel Francis l.. Leland,
one OF New York's milllonaires occupying
a conspicuous place among the financial
men OF this city and country. affords an
opportunity to note an exception to those
cases in which large benencent gifts have
been made, in that the giver In this in
stance, besides naturally shrinking from
public notice. is lover OF art and no mean
artist himself and ready dispenser of his
wealth in private ways.
The spirit of benevolence which moved
Colonel Leland in making this bounteous
gift, virtually to the people OF this city.
is akin to that paternal spirit which has
characterized his administration OF the
bank Of which he is the head. as It did that