davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1913-11-01

to be opened to be let into the waiting
car.
All the way down these long slant
ing chutes the Jumps of coal tumbled
and slid and fell, the clatter and
Shuttle of the endless rushing black
stone over the sheet iron lining of
the long trough drowned even the
sound of the whirling machinery and
the crunching of the mighty iron
teeth that ground the large blocks
into little bits while, above all, an
overhanging cloud of dust from the
sliding coal covered the black build
ing and the black young children
with an everlasting pail.
Over the top of the slanting chutes
was nailed row Of little planks like
wide steps on mighty ladder. John
ny was told to sit on one of these lit
tie planks and put foot on each
side of the chute and then, as the
Jumps of coal ran swiftly down be-
tween his legs, to snatch out the
pieces of slate as fast as his hands
and arms could move, and throw
them into another pitching trough at
his side. From the top Of the great
breaker, down almost to the bottom,
sat this stairway of little boys, each
grabbing at a chunk of slate as the
coal rushed madly by until it passed
the last boy and tumbled clean and
free from slate into the iron pockets
above the tracks!
1t took Johnny but a little time to
become breaker boy. He had only
to learn the difference between slate
and coal and he had known this from
a child. True, it took some skill to
snatch the stone from the madly-
rushing black flood covered with its
dense black cloud of dust; but little
eyes are sharp, and little fingers are
nimble, and it was really remarkable
to see how this long line of little
hands would unerringly grasp the
slate and let the coal pass by. The
-;oI I'd he
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1913-11-01

u64CSTlJy anu Skill Il6lT -Tdpiu move
ments and machine-like precision
seemed to him the beauty and rhyme
of poem of perfect meter.
Mr. Fox had a daughter whom he
dearly loved. He fancied that she
had musical talent, and he found
her the most skiIlful teacher that
money could procure. Sometimes he
stood by the piano and watched the
girl take lessons in finger develop
ment, and he marveled at her dexter
ity and skill; but when he paused for
few moments beside the great, long
chutes and saw the black diamonds
rushing down into his great iron
pockets, and watched the little, def
hands of the breaker boys, he could
not help thinking that the piano was
not the only place to develop finger
movement. Still, that was about all
he thought. Mr.. Fox was not bad
man. He was really good. He loved
his daughter and he intended to send
her to Paris and Vienna to complete
her studies when she was old enough,
anu AOcAAJ1 CFC1y lump VI SOoA ILcRI
rolled down the chutes proved how
fondly he loved the girl
In few weeks Johnny was full
fiedged breaker boy. His mother
woke him at six in the morning. He
put on his oldest clothes, ate his
breakfast and went to the breaker. -
Morning after morning he climbed
the long flight. of stairs to the top of
the breaker Morning after morning
he went down the ladder until he
found his little fiat seat, nailed across
the chute. Then he sat down on the
rough board, placed one foot on each
side of the trough and waited for the
flood of coal to come rafting down.
In front of him and behind him and
at the side of him were other little
boys, covered with the same black
pail that ever hung above his head.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
THE EXTRA SESSION.

TIE congress which adjourned last night de-
serves well of the people by whom its members
ware elected II is true that the currency bill
stu 10 not Law, as many of us had hoped
II would be before the close of the extra session.
but long step forward has been taken In the
enactment OF this most difficult piece OF legis-
lation and all but q few in the senate have
shown disposition to expedite matters as much
as possible consistent with proper consideration
of the problems involved The tariff bill has
been revised downward for the first time in
twenty years and revised Complementary for
the first time In more than generation. The
congressman and senators have attended to their
duties assiduousIy and there has been less dis,
position to shirk and there has been less de.
votion to private bills and more to public
measures than is usually the case
There liz, of course. fault 10 ind with the con.
gress which has just become part of history
Whether extrayagant praise sweeping con.
domination shall be heaped upon it depends upon
the point of view largely. but unprecedented
Judgment must accord ii commentator and
must temper criticism with a recognition OF
enough good work done to more than offset it
There is a wide difference Of opinion as TO
the probable results OF tariff revision. though
not much formerly. There is difference
Of opinion ranging between belief in high
protection and in free trade, but the prepon.
sarance Of opinion is midway between the two.
Nevertheless. whether the critic of the congress
iust ended be proteetionist, free trader. be.
lever In strictly taria c~ one hola-
Ing one OF the various shades of opinion In
screening. must recognize one indisputahe fact
Whether he approves the bin In all its details
~ whether he condemns ii in most or whether he
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
400 Hangings His Record.

LONDON, Nov 3r.-James Berry.
who was for many years the public
executioner. died recently. having re-
tired from his gruesome ONCE some
years ago, He had hanged more than
two hundred people and II was at his
own keen wish that he was appoint
ed to the position. His reason for re-
firing Is given by DIR. Albert Wilson,
ex-president OF the Royal Medical So
ciety. Edinburgh. In the following
letter.
Having always been doubtful Of
the value of capital punishment. about
TOUR years ago / asked Berry. the ex-
hangman. to come and see me. I
found him an interesting man with
pleasing, kindly face. stout and
hearty. He was previously a police
constable and always had the desire
TO be public executioner. He as
sisted Marwood on several occasions
and described hts method (the knot
under the chimp as cruel and clumsy,
Berry placed the slip under the left
ear and said his victims looked beau
tiful'
He told me that he gave up his
office because the execution by him
of two innocent persons got on his
nerves"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
Listen TO the Children,

without rompng and frolic and the merry dis
tracing hubbub of children's voices life would
be as tiresome twice-told tale. vexing
the drowsy The fogies who object to the
noise and racket OF youngsters at play should
live In padded rooms with cotton wads damned
into their till they have learned the power
Of concentration. They could then pursue their
duh routine oblivious to the sweetest song. the
cheerist music in life--the joyous cries of the
boy and girl at play. developing a fund Of sun
shine and optimism to bless them in after life.
when the wheels don't so swiftly. We
want to put old heads young shoulders; we
want to preserve young heads bent backs
And we would like to nut a head on anyone
who snarls about the voices of children at play
Los Angeles Times
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
PEOPLES FORUM
A Challenge.

Editor Of The virginlan:
slr.--when you "regretfully declined the in
viation to become a comrade you declined the
greatest honor in the world today, for there is no
real honor in anything but doing for others, and
the greatest honor that be offered 10 any
one is the position OF high private in the ranks
Of the workers.
IT is true we have no offices to offer as rewards,
but the future holds unlimited possibilities for
the working class.
I am sorry, Mr. Editor. you hardened your
heart" with our old friend, Pharoah 1t was
different for IT is said God hardened his heart"
and when you claim to have eyes and do not
see. ears to hear and do not hear" you come
SO near quoting Scripture that wish to point
out the places where II may he found. and you
are to have all the honors to be had by one
in that position Isaiah G: 8, 10; As: s, o. Matt.
13:13 ID. 10. Mark All, H. Luke 3: 10
John IL: 40 Acts Is: 26 81.
It Is written Of the carpenter of Gallilee. a
labor agitator, a comrade. For he shall grow
up before him a tender plant and a root
Of dry ground; he hath form nor comeness;
and when shall him. there is no beauty
that should desire him" AS with the man
with the cause that he espoused, his whole
life was spent among his own class, the work
ers, and II he preached to the rich It was to
'denounce them for their exploitation of the poor
I had thought it possible that like old
friend. Moses, you would choose rather to suffer
affection with the people OF God than to enjoy
the pleasures of sin for season. but be II
known, the Socialists not looking for a Moses
to lead them out of industrial slavery, for verify
any people that be led out by one leader
may be led back by another leader. IT the work
would be free. they must free themselves
Since you have regretfully declined the invita-
ton to Join the Socialist party, allow me to
make another proposition If the Wilson ad-
ministration reduces the cost of living for the
working class. by the tariff and currency bills,
TIL hereafter vote the Democratic ticket. and
If these measures fail to reduce the cost OF
living to the working class then you Will vote
the Socialist ticket The question to be decided
by the average number of hours of labor and
the number Of hours of labor required to pur
chase the necessities of life. / hope you will
eonsde this proposition and thereby show your
faint by your works
r. A TYRTE
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
COMMENT
Fish Glut Reducing Cost of Living

In the wholesale fish market the present week
OF low-priced fish generally; still there
comparatively little buying. 1t. al
most crime that Ash should be offering for
almost nothing and there be way of bringing
the matter before the public. or course, the
daily newspapers might be appealed to, still
they would not do anything except at so much
per" They busy at all times condemn
ing the high cost of living and the persons as
sumed to be responsible for 1t that they have
no time to do their duty by their readers by
telling when and where low-priced foods may
be obtained. It is not so long ago that Western
daily paper, being in receipt of a brief article
mentioning oysters. refused to publish same Mn
less the newspaper paid the regular adver
Using rates. The excuse Of the publisher
If print this Il is going to do the oyster In
dustry some good, you must pay for it,
New York Fishing Gazette.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
For n Union OF Housewives.

1t has been my contention for half century
that the tap-root of the acknowledged evils of
the domestic service is the utter lack of loyalty
to one another the part OF the housewives
The offense is rank, and 1t has made by
word and "a kissing in the estimation of other
civilized nations.
When the employe. dismissed for dishonesty
or other fragrant fault, cannot obtain new
place unless she show clean papers from her
last employer; when 1t becomes impra tibable for
a nomadic adventurer to install herself in the
very heart of the home, upon the strength of
what she may tell of her antecedents-in word,
when housek eepers and homeseekers banded
into an order each member of which is bound
by conscience and rights of her neighbor II
they her own-~the stigma will be lifted
from what has passed into common speech as
the vexed question. Marion Harland in the
New York Times.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
Woman Better Than Man.

LONDON, Nov Pm the course
of lecture on THE National Import
ance of Woman's Health" DR.. A. T,
Schofield remarked this week:
THE better developed the woman,
both physically and morally, the more
marked the improvement OF the race.
Whereas mans physique Is no longer
as important as it was---for modern
inventions have replaced mere mus
cle-the womans body is always i'm
portant, since she is the bearer OF
the coming race.
THAT nature herself recognizes the
greater value of women is proved by
the fact that during the siege of Par
is, when the population was badly fed
or starving, nearly all the children
horn were boys. So you see nature
only makes girls OF good material.
whereas she will make boys Of any
thing"
Other statements Of DIR. Echofleld
were that women had better memo
ries than men. quicker intuition, bet
ter instincts and more tact. The on
ly people who acted by pure reason
were all in lunatic asylums. Sane
people acted by a combination OF
reason and instinct called common
sense. Women too had better color
vision than men. The spirit Of women
was the spirit of the race. The one
thing man never forgot was what
he had learned from his mother.
There had been setback lately In
certain manifestations which the more
thoughtful of them who desired. the
well being OF women deplored. as
initiating against the cause they had
at heart Mere outward equality
with men was not only vain hut de-
1t led to a total miscon-
ception OF womans true dignity and
special mission and inevitably to a
personal struggle and rivalry OF a
most deplorable kind.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
A SUGGESTION TO THE POLICE BOARD.

While comment Ia being made In City hall
and other circles the large number of trifing
cases which are reported daily to the police
court It would be good to bear in mind the
fact that many Of the policemen on the Richmond
force are of the opinion that their eligibility to
promotion In the department depends mainly
upon the number of arrests credited to them
during the month year
This is too trifing to be here" Is a
comment frequently made by Justice Crutch-
field. he dismsses some or woman who
has been carted into the Police court
One policeman remarked to tho justice the
other day that he had made twenty-seven arrests
within twentyfour hours.
IF every other the force had done
that" said Justice John, what would this court
look like to-day"
Alt CT which leads up to the suggestion that
the police board relieve the policemen of the
impression that they must make large show
ing in the number of arrests credited to them
before they may become eligible for promotion
The officers are, OF course, expected to pre-
vent crime to hold down offenses of every
character and to make the city as peaceful
orderly and safe as can be, and no one ques-
tons the efficiency of the average. member of
the Richmond police force, But is 1t necessary
that they should, whether or not. make high
rate in arrests? Shall the policeman boost up
his standing by making better showing than
some other policeman or shall he prevent dis
order, and help pacify wouldbe bellgerents,
rather than stand by until disorder arises and
then arrest the parties whom he could have
prevented engaging In combat?
Let the policeman stop crime and disorder
in the beginning. Then the city and the State
will have fewer jailbrds and convicts. and
many might be saved, who by contact and as.
ISOLATION. might thereby lose all self-respect and
selfcontrol
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
A Marine 0yyFppin

One by one The nations of Europe are wheel
ing their battleships into line for the Panama
celebration. The latest government to accept the
presidents invitation to the gathering al Hamp-
ton roads Is that of France IT is confidently be-
Neved that the French representatives will be
ships of the best and latest typos, and that a
rear admiral ut least, Will command them
Though the display will he warliISe, there are
ways in which the great gathering will doubtless
work for peace 1t will be celebration of one of
peace's greatest achievements The nautical
athletes of the world win meet for cautious and
respectful feeling of another's muscle :"
And the determination of officers and men will
promote general esprit de corps that ought
MOTTO he altogether without its influence on the
pacific ideals now shaping observation-disclosures
Record Fl erald.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
Public Opinion
and Education

The News feels that the teachers of Virginia
do not receive their fun deserts either in com
pensaton or in the disposition of the public to
appreciate the value of their work-or to under
stand the difficulties with which they are con-
fronted. The News feels that the people at
large are not only remiss in this, but that they
are too little inclined to pause and consider
for themselves the needs of public education in
Virginia, and lend their moral support at least
to movements designed to remedy Virginia puh-
lie opinion cannot claim ignorance with respect
to these matters--for enlightenment is constant
~ being afforded and in such measure that only
the wilfully blind can fail to see and understand
II can only defend its Lack of militant insstence
for obviously demanded reforms by pleading
Indifference and lethargy-but surely to make
such excuse is but to enter plea of guilty The
country school, for example, Is handicapped with
terms entirely too brief-their teachers are in
and the child of rural Virginia suffers pretu-
dice and injustice at the hands of the State We
all know this We all admit the defect. We all
will agree to the gravity and exasperating sig
nifcance of the defect. The press of the State
is constantly seeking to create a state of pub
lie opinion that will demand sufficient enlarge
ment of expenditures for rural school purposes
to meet the imperatively demanded, fully de-
Served requirements which are thus constantly
Knocking at the door OF the States conscience
But yet public opinion has been all so salts
fed to let things drift; to witness in mood of
sleepy pacidity the heroic labors OF those who
are toiling in the field of education; who in the
very sweat Of their brow and out of all that
can be realized from heart -consecration and
seeking to SO improve the soil
they till that the harvest OF one year may be
richer than that of the year beforehand that
one of these days Virginia will take proud place
among other Commonwealths who stand acquit
of dereliction to the debt they owe their
people, TO afford all reasonable educational IA
ciltfes for children who have righs claim them
as matter Of lust NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
News.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
THE SIMPLE WAY OUT.

There is no need for anyone 10 get excited
about the conduct Of the summer normal schools
and the expenditures In connection herewith.
There is no need Of a long list Of suggestions,
naote or less practicable. OF innuendo. thinly
yelled charges Of careIessncss in handling money;
Indirect attacks on public officials and the firing
OF blank cartridges. There seems to be no fault
to find with the handling Of the money. no
careessness ne lack Of thrift and economy.
Much has been said By Attorney-Generai VIII
liams, II be is quoted correctly. He has been
answered ly Superintendent Stearnes. Others
vii probably have something TO say. Brushing
aside all trivialtes and all mistaken asser-
tons we have. as the core of Judge Williams
alleged statement, just this:
The teachers who attend the normal schools
are put to an expense they cannot afford. This
expense should be lightened and. If possible
eliminated altogether.
There is no need TO so into mysteries over the
fact that teachers are compelled to spend part
OF their salaries for summer courses That
is easily remedied. II we but go about 1t in the
right way. simply and directly. 1t costs money
to conduct normal schools. Instructors are not
going to work during the summer months with
out pay They are not philantnropfgfs and the
teachers do not want charity, The railroads are
not going to give free transportation TO those
attending Free board and clothes are not
ottainable in this State All of these things
cost and they must be paid for either by the
teachers or by the State Is 1t imposition
upon the teachers, is it injustice and a
hArdships to make them pay? Then let the
State pay or abolish the normal schools.
The latter alternative is, OF course, not to be
considered Then let the State pay. The total
cost Of conducting twenty normal schools last
summer was about fifty thousand dollars, Lit
tie enough anyone knows OF this sum the State
appropriated $4,000, A part of it appro-
pr1ated by the cities and towns In which the
schools were held. The rest came from the teach
srw--about $4,000. Rid the teachers OF that
expense by inducing the State TO. pay It, This
can be done in one or two ways. Salaries can
Be- increased. as suggested by Superintendent
Etearnes or tho State can double or triple It's
appropriation Of SIS 600 and from that amount
pay railroad fare. board and tuition OF the
teachers, If possible, both should be done,
THIS, It seems TO us. In the sample answer to
simple proposition The teachers should at
tend The expense is too great The State
which receives the benefit, should pay.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30

regards 1t as a measure of Indifferent workman
tce and a knowledge OF politics TO be too cen
serious In his Judgment For the great out
standing fact to the credit OF the late congress:
! is that the pledges made in the political cam
paign of a year ago were faithfully kept The
Democratic party was commissioned ID revise
the tariff downward and to revise It downward
substantially. That was promised from platform
after platform In every State In the Union and
that promise has been kept faithfully. Whatever
may be our views on the tariff we must admit
that the Democratic majority in house and
senate. aided in the latter by few Republican
senators of independent views, did what was
expected, what had been demanded OF them
Currency legislation is unfinished The record
II the Democratic majority is not so far above
eensure in this particular in the considera.
ton of tho tariff bill There has been more
delay than has been necessary. The question
g century old and the data on the subject is
larger In amount and value and more Access
sible than upon the tariff even Four years
ago monetary commission made an exhaus-
cipal European systems at first hand and COM
Dling mass Of information on the subject For
more than two years the question has been
discussed and for more than a year careful
tudy and discussion has been under way. II
would seem, therefore, that the time for action
has arrived especially In view of the fact
that the Aidrich emergency act expires by
Tfer7jfu t.
acted with reasonable dispatch and a majority
in the senate favors action between now and
Christmas and has taken means to secure it
There is no need to question the motives or
sincerity OF the greater part Of those who have
caused delay. but the fact that the bill was
not passed by the extra session detracts In
great measure from the splendid record 1T has
made
There is no cause for bitter complaint against
congfess There is as yet no danger that de-
mands of the people will be changed to re-
proaches, as predicted by President Wilson in
his inaugural address unless pledges and
promises were kept They have been kept
The regular session opens tomorrow and
shortly thereafter the currency bill will become
q law. Then other and equally important mat
ters come to the front and the Democratic party
will still be undergoing a test 1t will be one
for men TO meet and Judgment on failure will
not be lenient. Failure will receive as its re-
ward political ostracism. In spite OF all that
has been done. Success will mean continued
exercise Of power and continued opportunity
to serve the people and to help put into prac-
tice the new freedom.