davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
OFFICIAL HANDSPRING.

Governor Wilson's wish that some
one would invent "a set of steel fin
gers OF steel glove" for the hand
shaking sacrifices Of the President is
entirely natural. But what a Presi-
dent really needs for such occasions is
not set of steel fingers but steel
backbone which will inflexibly refuse
to turn the national Executive into a
town pump for the entertainment Of
endless throngS Some day a President
will do this and abolish once for all
a senseless custom. to the great relief
of himself and all his successors.
The popular sport of wringing the
Presidents arm off has long been rec
ognized as an imposition and has been
tolerated simply because it was an es-
tablished abuse the disturbance Of
which might seem TO be undemocratic.
Governor Wilson, while he is empha-
sizing his ultra-J effersOnian simplicity
in other directions, would be favorably
situated for working out this reform.
1t is said that he will cut down the
opportunities for the merely curious to
take up his working hours. If he
couples with this conservation Of his
energies for the public good n refusal
to let himself be worn out by useless
handshaking all sensible men will APP
plaud him. At public receptions he
could be as democratic as need be by
simply standing up and letting persons
in line be presented to him and receive
his greeting. without giving his arm
10 be man handled. No other chief of
state is subjected 10 such q strain as
the President undergoes. 1t Is false
view of democracy which takes his
time and uses up his energies by mis-
cellaneous handshaking. President
McKinley's murder was facilitated by
the handShaking custom
Let Mr.. Wilson keep the steel hand
in the velvet glove for the uses of
statecraft and force the wouldbe hand
shakers 10 he content with n Wilson
smile and a genial word when they
throng about him.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
TEETH IN THE CALLAN LAW

The new discovery by the Judges Of
the Court of Special Sessions that the
Callan law does. after all provide for
the imprisonment of drunken and reck-
less chauffeuTS will be a great relief
TO anxious pedestrians who are daily
forced TO risk their lives in the streets.
But laymen cannot help wondering
where this expert judicial knowledge
has been hiding itself while the Court
of Special Sessions has been turning
dangerous offenders loose with the eX-
PLANTATION that the community was un-
protected against their madness in the
present state Of the law.
Only few days ago this same court
called back from prison a man who
had while drunk knocked down two
persons with his machine. Another
man who went speeding through the
streets at sixty miles IN hour escaped
due punishment on account of the
same view of the laws impotence.
Owing to this blunder great encourage
ment was given to the lawless and
reckless. the effect of which is likely
10 be felt for some time. The notion
that the law has no teeth will not be
instantly dissipated by the new judi
cial ruling, and a consistent policy
Of enforcing adequate penalties VIII
probably have to be pursued be-
fore the automobile drivers thoroughly
unlearn the lesson which the court
! taught them and acquire the habit of
respecting the law and public safety.
We suppose all is well that ends well,
| but ii does seem as if the court might
have been able in the first instance TO
! give thorough study 10 the law before
| freeing dangerous offender already
in prison. Inerrancy is not expected
even of courts, and there is large field
| for difference Of opinion in interpret
| ing statutes, but this does not seem 10
/ have been Il matter Of interpretation;
rather matter Of acting on half
| knowledge Of what the law provided.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
A FORGOTTEN PLEASURE
The Oldtime Custom of Winter Even
ing Visits Has Fallen Into Disuse.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: ] am rural teacher. and as
live in different communities have be-
come more and more impressed with the
fact that the people OF to-day are miss
ing some of the pleasures enjoyed by
our forefathers In the long ago. / have
heard many old people tell how years
ago in the long winter evenings neigh
bors would drop In, corn would be
popped. apples roasted, stories told and
games played. / believe in those days
people got more healthful. honest enjoy
ment out OF living than to-day. If peo-
pie OF this age go out In the evening.
II is usually to attend some club affair
or other social function. Neighbors
seem content to meet casually at church
and other places, but rarely drop in to
spend an evening Most homes are pro-
vided with certain amount OF reading
material, but | find that one often feels
too tired or otherwise indlsposed to
spend these long winter evenings read
ing. believe this is especially true
with young people and We find that many
Of them seek their recreation In town at
pool and billiard tables. etc. Perhaps
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
SILK HATS AND FREEDOM.

What have silk hats and frock coats
for men and skirts for women got TO
do with liberty and cOnstitutionalism
that the new Chinese Republic mas
been moved to prescribe them? They
are not our idea Of liberty. When we
speak Of tyranny on this side OF the
earth the chances are nine out OF ten
that we are speaking of the tyranny OF
clothes. If the recall ever brings our
full liberties it will take the form OF
a recall for those mysterious edicts
which come forth from nowhere. bid
ding us. just when we have acquired
a coat with a dignified skirt MI the
way around. to wear one with the
front corners shcared off. When the
Chinaman puts on the garments or
freedom under July sun he VIII sign
for the Manchu dynasty and the shirt
whose tail stuck out.
But humorous ms il is, this idea that
liberty and an mcOnlined Shirt-tail are
incompatible. isn't il human! Don /
all free peoples do just what China has
done? When we admire an institution
anywhere we can't feel that we have
adopted it until we have adopted some
superficial concomitant Of II. When
we hear Of city or state that Is well
governed. because ii has an Intelligent
people who insist upon having good
government. we straightway adopt
some trivial wrinkle Of its charter or
constitution and imagine that we. too.
are on the road TO good government.
When n newspaper which was pros
porous began To use red ink halt the
newspapers Of the country laid in sup
plies of red ink.
So when we see our new republican
friend. John Chinaman. oppressed 10y
his high hat and frock coat we smile
upon him and say: Welcome, brother
thou nj last art truly free
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
PARCEL POST MISTAKES.

Users Of the parcel post will do well
10 familiarize themselves with the reg
ulations regarding its use. In the
three DAYS since il went into operation
eight hundred parcels have been left
at places in this city other than those
designated for the mailing OF parcel
post matter. and vastly larger num-
Der of packages have been mailed win
the ordinary postage stamps on them.
Both Of these kinds Of mistakes and
many others which have greatly In
creased the work Of the pOStof'ice ana
delayed the shipping Of the packages
improperly mailed might have been
avoided by consulting the regulations.
In spite Of all that has been printed
in the newspapers many persons have
not grasped the idea that the parcel
post is new function Of the postal
service. with special stamps and sub
iect TO special restrictions, which are
too numerous to mention here. Per
sons wishing 10 avoid delays and dis
amendments will do well 10 inform
themselves where and how to ship
packages by the parcel post.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
ANOTHER COINCIDENCE.

The assault upon Henry Schlacht,
the leader Of the pushcart pedlers, and
the mutilation Of his account books,
just after he had been I'm conference
with Mr.. Buckner concerning alleged
payments on behalf Of the peders TO
the police, was, so far as IL known,
merely coincidence. SO the killing
Of Herman Rosenthal just after he
had been in conference with District
Attorney Whitman was reported to be
q coincidence. The Mayor assured the
citizens that ROsenthal was lawless
man who had died as he had lived.
The pushcart man. too, If he paid
graft. was lawbreaker. and who
can object if the wages of sin should
be blackjacking:
Probably the man whom be found
overhauling his books. which are said
to have contained entries corroborative
of his charges, was seeking autographs
or trying by his mutilation Of the
books and his assault to satisfy some
personal grudge. We have abundant
assurance that everybody connected
with the police has no fear of being
embarrassed" by the aldeyInanlc in
curry. and no motive for trying TO side
track Schlacht is discernible. The
pedler had already been to the Police
Department with his complaint, after
it had been announced that Commits
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
NEEDS OF SHOPPING CENTRE
Property Owner Gives Warning to
Business Men in Old District.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: AS property holder In the dis
trict that until very recently has had
practically a monopoly Of the larger sort
OF retail business OF the community. but
which is rapidly losing Its grasp upon that
trade and as well upon its general bust
ness supremacy. ] wish to sound a note
OF warning to others. who. like myself,
have money invested below 23d street aud
above 10th street.
1t is essential to the continued pros
perity OF this part Of the city. and. in fact,
to that section of the city south of us.
that Sixth avenue as we'll as Seventh ave-
nue. be extended on downtown. This should
have been done years ago. II IL had been
done five or ten years ago property south
OF 23d street and west OF Broadway would
to-day be worth from 10 to 80 per cent
more than II Is. III those two avenues had
been extended southwark the Fourth ave-
nue. development would have been delayed.
We would have held our business suprem-
acy, and II would have been better for
the city at large
This part OF New York must receive the
consideration that is its due when future
subways are built. and the one thing that
we who own property down here. or who
have other business interests here. must
do Is To make certain OF tunnel OF suf-
fclent size to accommodate all manner OF
traffic and which shall reach under the
Hudson and thus place New Jersey In i'm
mediate and direct communication with
18th and 23d streets.
II these matters are not taken up i'm
mediateiy by the business men and prop
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
SUFFERS INDEPENDENCE.

If Governor Sulzer did not so strong
" protest his independence of Murphy
the public would feel surer But prot
estation is a part of the Sulzer nature
| Independence is not a matter OF course
with him. as IL was with Governor
Hughes. but matter of self-conscious-
ness. The new Governor is even pro-
foundly aware of his own "Jeffersonlan
simplicity" Is any really simple nat
IRE conscious Of its own simplicity!
But what is the use of prying into
the wherefores of the Governors inno-
cent posturings? He is plainly OF the
tyne with which machines have fire.
iouently had their trOubleS-the self-as-
sured sort. egotistical, if you will, who
love the centre Of the stage and have
such faith in themselves and their
destiny" that they come in the end
to ignore bosses and machines. "Gratl-
Itude." that quality over which the
Murphys everywhere have had cause In
recent years to shed so many tears, Is
not strong trait in public men of this
kind. So we are prepared to believe
that Mr.. Sulzer means il when he de-
fes any one TO challenge his authority
in the Democratic party-means 1t
now. if he does lose his courage later.
He may lose his courage, for he is
going into a politically lonely place
the interior of dark continent, where
he will be told many perils await him.
/ IT NAV seem all the more awesome TO
Mr.. Sulzer because he has been such
a political stay-at-home, never having
travelled very far away from Four
iteenth Street. He will be told that
Murphy will wreck his administra-
ton" He is already being told that
! even by those who welcome his decla-
ration of independence. Did anybody
wreck Hughes's administration when
he did precisely what Mr.. SulZer now
promises TO do? If the new Governor
,can run his administration on the same
rock on which Governor Hughes ran
his so much the better.
Only a weaklinG would be frightened
by the story that Murphy would wreck
his administration. The surest way
for the new Governor TO wreck his
administration would be to live in fear
of Murphy. If clash comes and the
Governor fights as boldly as he talks
he will do the wrecking himself and
the wreck will be the Murphy machine
If tho Governor lives m TO his prO
gramme he will win higher kind OF
success than can be got through bar
gaining with the boss-paying the boss
dearly for the use Of the bosss Legis
lature That way lies failure and pub
lie contempt.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
"OUR DEAD AMBASSADOR"

with the arrival In this port OF his
majestys ship Natal n touching mission
finds "A fulnlment which in Inspiration
and accomplishment comes with an a6id-
ing sense OF gratitude to our people and
government Through all the wide and
tender range OF tribute paid the late Am
bassador Reid In Great Britain none
surely makes a greater appeal than this
return 10 the land Of his birth.
Not only does this memorable action
bear special significance from the rarity
OF its exercise but II holds a deeper and
fuller meaning. The splendid cruiser
which has borne our dead representative
TO the threshold Of his home fifty symbol
ICES the might and dignity of the country
To which he was accredited. II testifes.
moreover. by Its errand OF peace TO the
traditions and aspirations that exist and
should exist forever among all tho Eng
lish speaking races.-The New York
Herald
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
NAVAL SERVICE.

Iemierres apOphthegm that "the
trident OF Neptune is the sceptre of
''the world is brought TO mind In
other senses than that Of Captain
Mahan's sea power in history by the
appeal of the Navy League Of the
United States for popular and official
interest in naval advancement and
efficiency. The immediate plea is for
legislation which will make it possible
for Young officers Of merit TO rise in
rank more promptly, and at the same
time for experienced feet commanders
10 remain on duty during their eff
cheney instead of being arbitrarily re-
tired Just as they are becoming most
useful to the service. 1t is also de
sired 10 safeguard more fully the rights
and improve the opportunities Of en-
listed men for advancement and to
adopt a continuous and consistent pro-
gramme Of naval construction.
Many citations of examples from
the history Of sea power and Of the in
fluence Of sea power on history, from
the record of national defence, and
concerning the upholding and fulfil
ment Of essential American policies are
given to emphasize the need Of naval
maintenance and expansion. But by
no means all the arguments are In
those categories. We are reminded of
the economic value Of we'll kept navy
TO American industry and industrial
efficiency and of its invaluable con-
tributions of highly trained minds and
bodies to the sum total Of practical
efficiency in the nation. 1t has been
asserted that considerable part Of the
credit for Germany's amazing indus
trial progress In the last forty years
is due to the military system which
takes raw and unframed youths and
transforms them into highly disciplined
and efficient workers. On numeri-
cally smaller scale, but in a no less
degree. that is just what the American
navy does for thousands of men.
There Is also a pertinent reminder
Of the many services which have been
and are rendered by the navy outside
OF the military sphere. Some of the
finest achievements in exploration and
scientific research, some Of the most
profitable in the advancement Of com
mercial interests and diplomatic rela-
tions and some of the noblest and most
humane in the safeguarding or the res
cuing of life and property--from peril
of the elements as well as Of war
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
A BRONX CENTRE"
A Need Which Should Have the At
tention Of the County Officials.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: A most worthy suggestion has been
made TO me. and gratefully take oc-
sion 10 express II.
The new county OF The Bronx is sorely
lacking in many modern and urgent i'm
provements. but one foremost and need
ful is public institution In the centre
OF It's business activity. A so-called CEN
ire" OF a city or town is created OF IT.
self. but the improvements and benefits
OF II are advanced by the community.
At 10th street and Merosc avenue, 10
both street. 20 Third avenue. to 10Th
street. there is a natiron strip OF lnnd
which now holds three very unsightly
buildings. In It's present condition these
buildings are really "A dctrlment rather
than benefit 10 the business activity and
development OF The Bronx. The proposal
which has the hearty Endorsement OF both
Bronx. is this: The city should condemn
the said property and erect public build
ing. which will be OF some benefit TO the
shopper while I'm the district. and build
ing OF such design as TO make the CEN
tire OF The Bronx an ideal attraction.
There are innumerable improvements that
could be stationed there which would be
OF vast benefit to the community, such
as miniature park. library. resting
benches, comfort station. etc. or any one
OF the thousand modern improvements OF
the present day. Some public spirited Of
fetal OF The Bronx should bring this mat
ter before the people for vote and re-
ceive both their praise and support.
JOSEPH LEWIS.
New York, Dec. 90, 1912.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
WHITELAW REID.

Fashioned OF fine old Scottish faith and
zeal.
What wonder that the New Worlds bid
10 strife
Found thee a soldier for the peoples veal.
A stern though gentle leader throughout
life.
Far cry II was from old Ohio's farm
To palaces OF kings across the sea:
And yet perchance no royal court had
charm
Like that dear boyhood home for thee.
From out the West you brought the faith
OF old
Remodelled for the modern reach and
need;
Unto the East you came a teacher to I'M
fold
Long hidden lessons and 10 cow the
seed
OF precep,s with tho weight and ring OF
gold.
The love OF man for man-liie's dearest
creed
FRANCIS p. GEssNER.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
VIVISECTION DEFENDED.
To the Editor of The Tribune

10 the Editor or me Tribune.
Sir: | have read with astonishment
and Indignation in my Tribune the sour
rilous attacks upon Or. w. w. Keen, OF
Philadelphia. These tongue cudgellers,
as the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
very aptly styled them, are too cowardiy
to sign their names. I look upon Dr.
Keen ami those associated with him as
saviors of mankind. How could they
have performed these wonderful cures
had It not been for their knowledge oil
vivisection7
A young man. a schoolboy at that time
In our village had guinea pigs. cats ana
dogs. and practised vivisection upon them
and now there is not a more experienced
or skilful surgeon in the whole Uniteo
States than DIR. Selden F. Greene, now
of Scion, Me. He has his hospital ana
nurses. What would his knowledge OF
surgery have been had 1t not been Tor
the practical knowledge Of vivisection!
All honor to DIR. Keen and his COLA
borers. would like to clasp their hands
and bless them for the vast benent they
are 10 poor suffering humanity. Nay
they live many years a blessing to ALI.
ELIZABETH NJ. KIMBALL.
Athens, Me-, Jan. l, 1918
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
PUTS BLAME ON THE PEW
David Loinaz Discusses Well Paid and
Poorly Paid Clergymen.
itor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Allow me TO thank Mr.. Smailey
for his contribution in your issue OF last
Sunday. His appreciation OF the pastor
OF the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
has so often been the object OF III
natured. and at times ignorant. critl-
cism, which could not possibly serve
any useful purpose.
Mr.. Smalley says that DR.. Jowetts
preaching is above the average pulpit
utterance: equally are Mr.. Smalley's ar
tlcles superior 20 many lamentable pro-
auctions OF the journalistic profession.
But we expect superior work from SUI
perior men. whether they be preachers
lawyers. Journalists, or what not. 1t
would he scarcely reasonable TO demand
from the ill-paid and therefore often
struggling and harassed clergymen OF
the nation the same display of strength
and mastery we are accustomed TO In
the case OF such princes OF the church
az Or. Cadman, DIR. Parkhurst. DR..
Jowott and their peers.
Mr. Smalley, am sure. would readily
agree that in many an unadvertised pull
pit. whose fame no herald noises abroad
splendid preaching is the rule and not
the exception. Those who know this TO
be true. not in few but in many In
stances. are inclined 10 the opinion that
the chief cause OF the decline OF the
pulpit lies with the pew. not With the
preacher Mark Pattlson once said that
there was no popular constituency for
genuine theology. He might have said
the same thing about refined. spiritual
messages. that are not attuned TO the
materializcd. blunted sensibilities OF the
populace. DAVID LolNAZ'
Brooklyn. Dec. 81. 1912
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
THE TALK OF THE DAY,

With the new year and under its new
management THE Independent" appears
In a more attractive dress than ever be-
fore In It's sixty-fve years OF useful ex-
istence. This venerable weekly is now
printed In large and easily read type and,
following the trend OF the times toward
pictorial display. IL promises a freer use OF
illustrations than In years past The ed-
tors add: :" The Independent was founded
to espouse the most unpopular reform OF
the day and II has continued the custom.
AZ soon as one of our pet heresies has be-
come accepted and established we adopt
some other poor but worthy cause and
try to give II start I'm life. This is not
the way TO get rich, but It's lots OF fun"
merpate-Roxmore is the thriftiest
man i ever saw. He can make money 20
further than anybody i know.
Hcmmandhaw-Right YOU are! / be-
lieve that man could lead a double life on
Sl2 a week!-Judge.
A recent number Of Ia Cronica Mer1d-
ional' SPAIN gives details regarding a
new Industrial process-that Of expressing
oil from grape seeds. The paper says:
Grape seed oil is prepared In certain
parts OF France, Italy and W1rtemberg.
That obtained cold. from the first pressing.
is edible; the oil obtained by pressing and
heating and that extracted by means OF
solvents have a dark color and a bitter
taste. and after being purified by concen-
trated sulphuric acid and cleared with
bone black are used for lighting pur-
poses and In the manufacture of soap,
and on account Of the small cost would
be a good substitute for the expensive
oils used in the textile industry. Aside
from the uses mentioned, and because
some OF its chemical properties are SINH
lar TO those OF castor oil. grape seed oil
has suggested itself as a substitute for
castor oil I'm the preparation of compounds
used In the manufacture of red colors
Gojo de audinopolis)."
your stomach is so affected that fear
we shall have to operate for its removal"
"All right; remove 1t. ] never use 1t
anyhow"
You never use It? What business are
you in?"
II am oet"-Houston Post.
The fact that there is i'm circulation n
well executed counterfeit of the Indian
head" five-dollar bill caused a slight COM
motion in a department store yesterday.
A well dressed woman received one Ut
these bills In change and told the sales
woman she would not take II, because