davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
Mrs. Wilson, Famed for Japan
ese Iris Bed at Princeton,
Takes Deep Interest in
White House Flowers.
By MARY EDNA MOVES.
MRS. JOHN W. KERN.

At this particular season of the
year 1t has been said that a young
mans. fancy turns to thoughts OF
love. Be that as it may, one would
not dare to say aught to the con-
trary; but one thing is certain that
a woman's fancy turns to thoughts
of her garden. At least, Washington
society women-both old and young
are now more concerned with plans
for rose gardens, iris beds, poppy
plants. and the like, than in affairs
de occur.
Those who are not working in and
planning for their gardens in Wash
ington are arranging to make
speedy departure for their various
coutry places and summer homes in
order that their beloved gardens Will
not suffer for attention.
Beginning with the First Lady OF
the Land, Mrs. Woodrow Wilson.
and going through the various circles
of Washington society. we find any
number of well-known women who
are expert gardeners. They do not
like to make plans for a garden and
stand by and see others do the work,
but they like to don a great. big
apron, gloves, and a sun bonnet and
mother earth and dig, and plant and
weed their own gardens.
Mrs. Wilson is considered a very
expert landscape gardener. The
Princeton home of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Wilson is famous
for the beautiful garden, which was
laid out and planned by Mrs. Wilson.
The bed Of Japanese Iris, pictures of
which probably have gone from one
end of the country to the other, is
the result of years of work on the
part of Mrs. Wilson. She sent to
Japan for the bulbs, and spent many
seasons experimenting, to get the
desired shades. The flowers are ar
ranged so that they shade from
deepest purple to palest mauve and
to white.
Watches White House Gardens.
Mrs. Wilson also takes a deep in
terest in the whiote House gardens.
which never have been more beau
tiful than this spring. Mrs. Taft.
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
GOLDFISH BY THE YARD

Every once in a while some COM
munity is startled to discover how
prevalent dishonesty is among deal
ers in foodstuffs. A few years ago
an investigation started by Chicago
women set out to find how many
scales and measures were crooked.
It was not long before it began to
look as if the hunt were to find some
honest scales and measures.
Philadelphia has had an opera
boutfe episode of fishmongers selling
shad and herring and mackerel. cod
fish, and cells and founders ut so
much a foot, and figuring prices for
their customers with the aid of a
yardstick.
Yardstick measure had to be re-
sorted to after the inspectors of
weights and measures had raided a
curb market.
The dealers adopted that odd but
legal expedient after the inspectors
had taken nearly all the scales and
weights in the market. Out of 800
implements for weighing and meas
uring inspected only about a dozen
were found to be correct. False bot
toms in measures, cast-iron weights
scooped out underneath, automatic
scales that had been "doctored" were
confiscated on every side.
Being on the job all the time and
with vigilance seems to be the only
way for officials to stop such prac-
tees. In communities where it is
sure that there is such watchful care
there is probably very little actual
cheating; where there is less or no
care there is probably good deal of
raw swindling.
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
INSURING GSCHOOLBUILD
INGS.

Following the burning Of the
Western High School building, the
fact developed that the District does
not insure its public buildings. In
fact, there is a law of Congress
and a sensible and proper one it is
forbidding their insurance. But some
people have taken a mistaken and
narrow view, and assumed that it
is mistake to leave such property
uninsured. Perhaps it is worth
while, then, to explain why public
property almost always goes unin-
sured, and why it should.
A man has hardware store worth
$4,000. 1t is his entire capital. He
wants to borrow money at the bank.
The banker, knowing the property
is good security and the man honest,
asks about insurance. No, the
property is rot insured.
1t must be insured before the
merchants credit is made good. The
business man must insure to protect
his credit, and also to protect him
self against utter disaster in case of
Ere. The home owner, the farmer,
everybody else, must insure for like
reasons; nobody can afford to take
the risk of carrying" his own insur-
ance.
Insurance is a thoroughly socialis-
tic arrangement by which the prop
erty of the community as a whole
stands benind each individual and is
! pledged to make good the in
dividual's loss. Il the case of a
great fire insurance Company, the
community" of mutual guarantors
are the policy-holders and premium
payers of the concern. In the case
Of the District of Columbia, the
rolicy-holders are the people Of the
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
INVENTING WAR NEWS.

The circumstances in mich the
campaign in Mexico must be con-
Quoted, lend themselves especially to
the business of manufacturing war
news for political and diplomatic
purposes. The long frontier between
The United States and Mexico is
lined by enterprising correspondents
who have had long experience in
making news mountains out of fact
molehills. Moreover, the correspond
ents, if they were never too desirous
of maintaining a conservative atti-
tued toward affairs, could not pro-
tect themselves and their public
against manufactured and bogus in
formation. When the Huerta people
in Mexico City put out such stories
as that federal forces have crossed
the Rio Grande and taken Browns
vile, Tex, it is all right for Ameri-
cans to smile amusedly; but that
preposterous yarn gets cabled to a
leading London newspaper and taken
more or less seriously, for a few
hours at least.
Two days ago somebody in Wash
ington started the story that bat
tleship of our feet at Vera Cruz had
teen blown Up as the Maine was at
Havana. The story was traceable to
no source; it was not taken seriously
ley people in touch with responsible
sources of information. Yet, be-
cause it started in Washington, it
was sent all over the country as one
Of the unconfrmed reports, which
might or might not later prove true;
but which was perfectly certain,
meantime, TO increase the restive-
ness of the public.
The manufacture and circulation
Of false reports, with deliberate
purpose of affecting the public mind
or the international situation, might
veil be given some official attention.
Nell-intentioned newspapers that
want to give the news and all the
"ewS have the keenest concern in be-
half of guarantees that liars shall
g discouraged.
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
C, A. R. WILL PROTEST
POSTOEF|CE CHANGES

Postmaster Praeger is standing pat on
his plans for discharging six or eight
aged employees of the City Postoffice.
although the Grand Army of the Re
public through local officers. has car
ried the case to the Postmaster Cen
eral.
DR.. ]. X. P. Gleeson, department COM
mander of the G. A. r. for the District
of Columbia. will have a conference to-
morrow morning with Postmaster Gem
eral Burleson Yesterday he talked with
First Assistant Postmaster General
Roper. who assured him that the mat
ter would receive careful consideration
The position taken by Postmaster
praeger Is that his force is limited, tnat
the business of the office is increasing.
and that there must be the highest eff
cheney ~ prompt mail delivery and dis
patch Is to be made possible The vete-
rams he has slated for dismissal. he
says are incapable of doing the work
required OF them.
The Grand Army officials, however.
paint to an act passed in 1872 which
provides that ''in the event OF reduc-
lions being made in the force in any or
the Executive Departments, no honor-
ably discharged soldier or sailor whose
record in said department is rated good
shall be discharged. or dropped, or re-
duced in rank or salary
1t is this provision of the law giving
preference to veterans which will be
brought to Mr.. Burleson's attention.
Postmaster Praeger denies that there
viii be any "shake-up'' in the City
Postoftice There will be only six or
eight dismissals out of a force Of more
than 1000. There will be some demo-
tions, he declares. when the investiga-
ton Of the efficiency records of the en-
rioyes Is completed.
but there will be more promotion.
than demotions,' he declareL
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
HEALTH OF OUR SOL
DIERS.

There will be no repetition in the
Mexican campaign of those criminal
stUpidities that transformed the
amps of our soldiers in the Spanish
American war into field hospitals,
where disease stalked almost un-
challenged and death exacted j more
frightful toll than the enemy's arms
In that school of dreadful experience
and in Cuba, the Philippines, AND
Panama we learned something OF
how to combat the real scourge OF
tTopic warfare.
Our army medical corps, if reports
sIeak the truth, has become one of
tie most efficient in the world. Its
campaigns are laid out in advance
with the same attention to detail apd
the same provision for emergencies
that mark the plans of the general
staff for the active conduct of often.
sive operations. In the medical re.
serve are commissioned physicians
and surgeons of standing in almost
every city in the country. These
men are liable to re called on fol-
DUTY. The old scandal. which com.
mitted the health and the lives OF
brave soldiers to the careless ignor.
ance of callow incompetents, will moi
Je repeated. Last year, among all
The Federal troops in camp in Texas
there was not one case of typhoid.
This is but symptom of our gen.
cral preparedness that has been ex.
cnplified in the promptncss with
which the army and navy have re-
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
PREPARING FOR SUMMER

Let US bear in mind that one of the
prime objects of a spring cleanup
is to eliminate the fly and the mos
quito. When We are exercising our
muscles and our ingenuity ridding
our dwellings and neighborhoods of
dust and filth, it will be worth our
while to give these twin winged pests
serious attention.
The first spring fly, of course,
came some time ago, though she is
still pleasantly modest and retiring.
II is not reassuring, however, to re-
feet that the little insect is keeping
carefully out of our sight and the
reach of our swatters while she lays
a few myriads of eggs, which pres
entity will hatch out into a whole
flying regiment of nuisances and dis
case carriers.
The shy and unobtrusive mosquito
is making the best use of her time
for the same purpose. When the
open season on human beings ar
rives she hopes to have a whole
army corps of her progeny to lead
to the attack.
Now is the time to get busy if we
want to preserve ourselves from the
pests a few months hence. The
swatter and the kerosene can are
fully as important household imple-
mcnts at this season as the broom
and the scrubbing brush.
The Washington times., 1914-04-26

sponded to the call of their country
and the efficiency with which the
navy's landing parties have dolie
their days work. 1t is a symptom
of the highest moment, however, for
all modern wars have exemplified the
prime Importance of wisely adequate
medical direction. The medical
corps, which certainly did not shine
in 1898, will have opportunity for
vindication.
The Washington times., 1914-04-26

spring blossoms-tulips, hyacinths,
jonquils, etc.-flourished in a riot Of
color, to be followed by the favorite
summer flowers. Mrs. Marshall ad-
mired the spring blossoms, but sh'
thinks they are a little stiff. The
her favorites.
Another member of the official
family who admits that she really
was meant for a farmers wife. is
Mrs. Daniels, wife Of the Secretary
of the Navy. Mrs. Daniels dearly
loves her garden and of all she loves
to grow sweet peas better than any
thing else Mrs. Daniels already has
made plans for her favorites at
Single Oak and she hopes to have
the finest sweet peas ever seen In OF
near washington.
Mrs. Daniels Fond of Ferns.
p Ferns. too, find especial favor in
Mrs. Daniels eye. MY ferns always
have been my PRIDE" says Mrs. Dan
tels. "and down home, where L had
a large place. I had wonderful luck
with them"
There Is something about growing
ferns which is particularly fascinat-
ing, for most women who love to
garden take greater delight in their
ferns than in anything else.
Mrs. Swanson, wife of Senator
Claude A. Swanson of Virginia, is
renowned for her gardens. Her en-
deavors do not stop with her now
ers, for the Swanson tobacco fields
are famous Mrs. Swanson takes
complete charge OF the management
of these fields, which surround the
beautiful home of Senator and Mrs.
Swanson in Virginia
Mrs. Burleson, wife OF the POST
master General. loves flowers and
takes the greatest pleasure in grow
ing them. Il love them all so well
that II would be hard to say which
is my favorite," said Mrs. Burleson.
But think lilacs are the sweetest"
The garden at the Burleson home in
Texas is a splendid AFFAIR. and is the
result of the work of Mrs. Burleson.
The house which the Postmaster Cen
eral and his family are occupying in
washington now was the former
Netherlands legation. with a very
beautiful garden, which was laid out
by Nine Loudon, wife of the former
minister Mrs. Burleson has added
an early spring bed of tulips and
jonQuils.
aImost any bright day OF the early
sprinr wearing old clothes, a sun
bonnct and gloves, using a rake or
hoe to splendid advantage IN her
beautiful gardens at Boundary Cas-
tie. and later in the summer she
spends much time in her Ear Harbor
gardens.
Mrs. Knox Diligent Gardener.
Mrs. Knox. wife of the SecretaT" OF
State during the Taft regime. is an
invcteratc gardener. Very few things
no n
Knox takes IN the growing Of her
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
Mrs. Daniels Has Finest Sweet
Peas in Washington
Kern Turns Her Attention to
Fruit Orchard.

cago. where the Mann home is 10
Gated. In Washington the few
plants which one can raise IN an
apartment are the limit of either
Mr.. or Mrs. Mann's efforts along
this line
The Washington times., 1914-04-26
MEDIATION IN MEXICO.

fetal expressions concerning the
project of Latin-American mediation
in Mexico to afford ground for high
hopes of important results. Ger
tainly there is nothing more hopeful
in the public's view of this newest
development. In brief, it is proposed
that three powers that have not rec
ognized Huerta shall mediate in a
matter involving Huerta, his enemies
at home, and another power that
has not recognized him! A greater
diplomatic incongruity could hardly
be imagined.
The possibility-and it is a prob
ability rather than possibility
that before mediation has been start
ed the United States will have fur
ther to employ force in Mexico, is
duly noted in the State Departments
acceptance of the mediation offer.
More than that, it is as plain as any
thing can be. that this Government
can accept nothing short of deci-
sion that eliminates Huerta, and
that Huerta will enter no arrange
rent in which that is sine qua non.
It appears then that we have merely
provided Huerta with another op-
portunity to fout this Government.
It is of the essence of mediation,
that, if it is successful, some meas
ure of advantage shall accrue to all
parties concerned. That essential is
absent from any possible result in
this case; there can be no advantage
to Huerta; and Huerta being assured
of this in advance, it is not to be
thought that he will take chances on
the proceeding. At the same time,
being an ungoverned and ungoyern-
able outlaw in the realm of interna-
tional relations, every opportunity of
complicating conditions is to his ad-
vantage. The newest development
seems sure to provide one more op-
portunity quite to his liking.
Is there reason to hope that Car
rama can take a more friendly view
of mediation than does Huerta Z? Me-
diation's best outcome being in the
nature of compromise, can the Car
rama party compromise? Will it.
not prefer to 60 ahead and take its
chances? A compromise would
have to mean something like the ad
interim presidency of de la Barra,
at the close of the Madero revolu-
ton, and the constitutionalists will
be indisposed to risk another expert
ence like that. The Madero regime
was undermined while de la Barra
was Provisional President, and the
Carranzista-Vilfa people know it.
They know that another ad interim
regime, initiated by a compromise
now, would almost certainly produce
that same result again. 1t would
destroy the fruits of the present
revolution; and so on indefinitely.
There is no room for compromise,
and it is impossible to see how me-
d;ation can possibly bring results.
1t is far more likely to bring delays
and complexities, enmesaing the sit
cation in greater difficulties than
ever
The Washington times., 1914-04-26

the former occupant Of the White
House. was interested in gardening
and much of the planning of the
Speedway was done under her direc-
ton.
Mrs. Marshall, wife of the Vice
President, is another woman who
would rather garden than anything
else" When Mrs. Marshall lived In
Indiana her garden was one of the
show places OF Columbia City and
she spent the best part of every
morning and many an afternoon
digging in it. In fact, not until an
attack of rheumatism was brought
on from wedding during a damp
rainy spell. did Mrs. Marshall give
up the actual labor of gardening.
OF all flowers. Mrs. Marshall
would rather grow poppies and old
fashioned cornfiowers. She loves the
poppies and cornfiowers. Her gar
den was so arranged that the early
The Washington times., 1914-04-26

cago, where the Mann home Is 10
Gated. In Washington the Few
plants which one can raise IN an
apartment are the limit OF either
Mr.. or Mrs Mann's efforts along
this line.
Rainey Gardens Famous.
The gardens ct walnut Hall"
the home of Congressman and Mrs
Henry T. Rainey. at Carrolton. Ill.
are wonderful. For the last eleven
years, since Mr.. Rainey has been.
in Congress. Mrs. Rainey has spent
the winter months in Washington,
but just as soon as spring coSes
she decamps for home and her fiow-
crS.
This year an electric fountain II
being installed. which will add
largely to the place. The lawn de-
serves especial mention, and the old
fashioned sun dial is also Of great
interest. Mrs. Rainey cares most
for old-fashioned flowers and trees
Every care is given the trees from
which the place gets its name.
While Miss Martha Goldman prob
ably has never done much OF her
gardening personally, she has di-
rected all the work done at her
places, both in Washington and az
Newport. Each year she gives .
series of spring team parties. which
are usually held out Of doors.
Mrs. Edwin F. Sweet, wife of the As
sistant Secretary of Commerce. not
only likes to be a gardener. but she
has the facultry of making things
grow. Anything she plants -four
ishes. Mrs. Sweet was closely con-
nected with the Inauguration OF pub
lie school flower gardens in Mlcni-
gan, and has been called upon fre-
Guently to act as judge at various
flower shows. both in her home STATE
and in Washington Mrs. Sweets
garden in GrarS Rapids abounded IN
all the old-fashIoned flowers
Mrs. Francis G. Newlands, wife OF
the Senator from Nevada, directs
her gardener personally and sne
spends a part of each day going
through her garden and arranging
many details in order that the gar
den be exactly as she desires. Mrs.
Richard Townsend. Mrs. Larz Ander-
son, Mrs. C. c. Glover. and Mrs
Lodge are a few other of Wash
ington's most prominent women who
tax a personal interest IN me
planning of their gardens.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25
VIRGINIA IS LAND
Of OPPORTUNITIES

r. L. Philips. who was one OF
Amherst county's best farmers until
eight years ago, at which time he
went to Missouri and bought a farm
and has been in the cattle business,
has recently sold his Missouri farm
and came back to Virginia and pur-
chased through s. F. Poindexter the
well known Gordon farm on StAunton
river, above Altavista, containing 922
acres OF which he proposes to make
an ideal grain. grass and stock farm.
This farm In especially suited for
this purpose, and Mr.. Philips will ship
carload OF high class "Shorthorn"
cattle to begin with, and also expects
to handle quite = number OF horses
and mules.
Mr.. Philips has been in good
many Western States ana obs>Sved
conditions closely. He declares be-
yond a shadow Of doubt that Virginia
has many natural advantages for
stock raising and general farming II
the people here win only farm them
as they should be; that ID. pay more
attention to grain. Grass and atock.
ana let the stock keep the farm. and
the farm will keep the stock.
Virginia 10 the land Of opportunity
and stands with open arms ready to
welcome back any Of her worthy sons,
and the sons Of her many sister States
South. East and West
xhenexer-they-d ecidA to coma to tina
land OF sunshine. showers. peace and
good will.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25
ITALIAN SOCIETY
OPENS NEW HOME
COLOMBO CLUB HOUSE TO BE On.
Dictated BY THE ITALIAN
COLONY on WEDNESDAY.
HANDSOME STRUCTURE
BISHOP O'CoNNELL TO MAKE: OPEN.
ING PRAYER-MAYOR AINsLIEs
CONGRESSMAN MONTAGUE /
AND OTHERS TO SPEAK.

on Wednesday night Mayor AinsltA
will address the Italian colony upon
the opening Of the handsome new club
house and lodge room, which cost the
members of the Italian Beneficial and
Social society nearly one hundred
thousand dollars.
The opening will mark an event In
the progress Of the society This or
ganization started in March. 1871,
with Louis Solari as the first presi-
dent. Up to ten years ago the society
merely foated along. but since that
time the membership has increased
from a mere handful to two hundred
and fifty These men represent the
backbone of the Richmond Italian
citizenship. They have done much for
their countrymen who come here -
live, and much for themselves.
Among the leaders in the society
are: V Donati. Charlie Trafieri. Louis
Correrio, Paul Vladrighi Tony Mar
chetti and ?. Gonnelli. Umbert Donati.
Andrew Donati. X. Francfoni ana
others.
AT the opening on Wednesday night
there witt be number of leading cit
liens. including besides the mayor. the
president of the board of aldermen,
the president of common council.
president OF the chamber of COM
merce and president of the Business
Montague.
The building is splendid structure.
three stories. with all modern club
facilities. The architect was Charles
X Bryant: the builder. J. v. Beazley.
and the stone work was supplied by
Bozzelli & Helfert, all local people.
The society has beneficial as we'll
as social end Sick and death ben
efits are provided for. and many social
events are pulled off during the year.
The officers of the society are:
President l.. Biagi; vice-president, u
Balducci: secretary, John Bertoeci:
treasurer, Louis Correrrio; trustees,
Chasie Trafieri, c. Canapa, ID. Mar
ront
Committee on arrangements: Chasie
Traieri, chairman; p. Gonnelii, Y.
Donati. F. Leganioli. Paul Valdright.
Tony Marchetti
Among the guests will be Mayor
Ainslie, Congressman Montague. w.
f. Adams. r. l.. Peters, Robert
Whittet, T. NJ. Darlington. Alvin NJ.
Smith, Judge D.. c. Richardson. Com
monwealths Attorney Felkes and
others. Besides Louis Biagi. presi-
dent of the Italian-American Political
club, and Mrs. a. G.. Alright. president
of the Elena society an Italian wo-'
mems club