davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
THE LEGISLATURES.

1t is interesting to read about the
progress of the campaigns in the
various States this autumn, because
they are so different. For instance
a Pennsylvania newspaper 1icusses
the reasons why n Republican legis-
lature should be elected in that
State, and gives 4 set of reasons that
must be unique in the experience of
voters.
There isn't a word about the bust
ness that in other years would have
been the chief business Of legisla-
turc: to re-eIect Boise Pcnrosc to the
Senate.
! Because the Legislature will have
nothing to do with the reelection of
Mr.. Penrose.
Long before the Legislature meets,
Mr.. Penrose will have been elected
or defeated.
The legislature has nothing to do
but legl5late.
The people have taken that bust
ness out Of the hands of the legisla-
lures. This wears crop of Senators
-one-third the membership of the
upper chamber-'vill be chosen di-
rectly by the people at the general
election.
During the period when the consti-
tutional amendment for popular cleo
ton Of Senators was pending, The
Times repeatedly urged as chief
reason why it should be adopted,
that it was necessary to ennanCipate
the legislatures from their thraldom
tC national political machines. It
pointed out that i deadlockcd legis-
lature, trying to find the highest bid
der for a Senato-ship, whether in
terms of cash or of contracts or of
political preferment, was mighty
poor body to look after the legisla-
ton and administration of State.
The people evidently took that
view, for their sentiment compelled
the Legislature to ratify the popular
election amendment in record time:
less than q year from the day it was
formally submitted.
Consequences are row visible. and
they are cheering. Up in Pennsyl-
vania they are not talking tariff in
connection with the State campaign;
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
OUR MILITARY STATUS.

Nobody should get excited about,
|pr, everybody should heed, Repre-
G., alive Gardeners warning that
| h country would be utterly unit
O 20 into a great war.
representative Gardiner is saylrg
br Y what the professional soldiers
|.ra the professional sailors, the
r ned experts, of our own military
vice do not hesitate to say for the
,oo led Improvement of the army and
y; and the greater security OF
| r nation.
When we have seen all Europe
|u 1t irto war flames without a mo-
|n,0t's notice, clear -eason carrot
2 ore the possibility that We might
y plunged into a great war coming
il the clap out Of Europe's sky.
We reed not be afraid to admit orr
unpreparedness if we are not pre-
p?red, and the. men who know say
we are not.
The thirg to be ashamed Of, when
something ought to be done, is to do
tno'hing, say nothing.
r England had been as well IRE
r, ed for war in her land forces as
= was in her navy there would be
he European war now.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
Belated Fan Inquiries About Drinking
Water At Games.

To the Editor of the Mail Bag:
Now that the baseball season has
waned, would 1t be remiss to suggest
that there Is yet time to act on that
Howard bill requiring the baseball park
and other amusement places to furnish
cool drinking water for the use Of pa
irons? / understand that the Howard
bill Is on the House calendar and If the
District gets another inning before the
session ends 1t Is to be hoped it will
not be q case Of wait until next year
have never been able to understand why
a fan who visits the ball park every day
and cheers until his throat gets dry
for the home team should be required
to buy a bottle Of pop. at 10 cents per
bottle, to quench his thirst. Let us
have action on the pure water bill; If
no; at this session, at least at the
winter session while there's plenty OF
time to consider watching a pennant
team in comfort. 1t may be that the
baseball park management will install
drinking fountains without waiting for
legislation. Washington is noted around
the circuit as city loyal to its ball
team and surely the true-blue fan is
entitled to a cold glass of water if he
wants it. And this is said without dis
respect to the bottle of pop. There's
a time for everything and / agree with
Consre ssman Howard that sometimes a
fellow is entitled to water and not pop.
A FAN
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
A Pedigreed Fish.

THE inns of dear old England are pic
turesque," said Richard lie Gallienne,
on his return from abroad. but the
food they serve is something terrible.
After a visit to Blenheim Palace, l
entered an inn in the quaint village of
Woodstock. AS l lunched-or tried to
lunch--my landlord said to me:
The great Dock of Marlborough
once sat in that chair you're settin' In,
sir.
lis that so?' said ].
land the dock once drunk is beer
out o. the same mug you're drinkin'
out Of
And ! bet said |. i bet he refused
to eat this fish. too. Well, take it away,
nv man. don't want It. either. -
Boston journal.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
LAUNCH NEW BANK
SYSTEM ON NOV. IS
Only Matter of Days Now Until
Federal Reserve Currency
Can Be Issued.

Tentative plans to launch the new
regional bank system November 10,
have practically become final. 1t was
learned upon high Treasury Depart
ment authority today. Change from the
old to the new will hardly create a
ripple in the financial waters, 1t Is
stated. The new currency will be i'm
mediately available upon collateral
clearly defined upon terms which will
prevent any "hitch" in securing loans
from the regional reserve banks.
with $50 100000 In federal reserve
bank notes, after November q 1t will
be only a matter of days before the
federal reserve law will come into
operation" was the statement today Of
Comptroller of Currency John Shelton
Williams, in response to queries for in
formation regarding the opening of the
new banks.
Banks are in readiness to begin
business said Williams. "'rhe matter
Of geographical location may cause de-
lay in certain d directions. but the in
stallatiOn of the new system will pro-
coed with speed and precision during
the coming month"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
Protests che BUY a Bale" idea.

To the Editor Of the Mail Bag:
While the motives that have prompted
the movement are probably beyond re-
proach, 1 am at a loss to understand
why the cotton growers Of the South
should expect the Government and the
public to engage in what is nothing
more or less than a conspiracy TO raise
the price Of a staple commodity-one Of
the necessities.
When there is a dull market on corn
or wheat or beef or wool. why not all
get together and boost prices so that
we shall have the privilege Of paying
more for these necessaries, thereby CIV
ing the producer the middleman or
whoever 1t Is the profit to which he
thinks he is entitled? The conditions,
of course, are most unfortunate under
which the cotton growers are likely to
be compelled to sell their product at
much below the usual price. Neverthe-
less, 1t seems to me that under such cir
cumstances the ultimate consumer"
should have the benefit of the low
prices In the past the cotton growers
have demanded and gotten their price,
and the consumer paid the piper.
G. K T..
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
CONVICT ESCAPES
AFTER JAIL BAT TIE
Niqht Watch and CeI|mate Slain.
Two Guards Are Seriously
Wounded.

FOLSOM, Cal, Oct. IA score Of
guards of Folsom prison today are
searching the surrounding country fol
a convict named Cheek, who escaped
last night after he and Convict George
Phelps had killed Capt. j. B. Drury,
of the night watch.
Phelps was slain and Prison Guards
Mayer and Creullo seriously wounded
in a fight which preceded Cheeks es-
cape.
Cheek and Phelps were cell mates.
In some unknown manner they OBJ
tanned wood and fashioned a heavy
bludgeop. Last night they crouched
in a corner of their cell when Drury
came for inspection Of their hunks.
AS he unlocked the cell door. the
convicts crushed his skull with their
club. Taking his keys and two re-
volvers, the crept up on Guard Cruel
10 in the yard.
Again they used the bludgeon, but
Cruello moved Just in time to escape
the full force of the blow. He was
badly hurt but raised an alarm. and
other guards fired on the convicts.
Phelps was slain, but Cheek escaped
after he had fired and wounded Guard
Mayer
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
Voices Need of white Wings"

To the Editor of the. Mail Bag
President Wilson should be commend
ed for the interest he has shown in the
cause of the white Wings of Wash
ington. and it is to be hoped that Con-
gress will make available the funds
necessary for the proposed increase in
the wages of these men. Twenty-Five
cents a day sounds like a small amount
to the average citizen, but to these men
who have to live on the pitifully small
amounts allowed them, and besides pay
for having their suits Numbered, the adj
dtional - cents will mean much. 1t is
to be deplored that the street sweepers
have been allowed to work for years in
this the Nations Capital at wage
much less than that paid 1or similar
wor, in other cities, and less than that
paid for even the lowest class of labor
here.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
TOO LATE.

In the case of Belgium, Germany
is striving desperately to eat her
cake and have it, too. She wanted
Pelgium, but she is chatting under
the censure that mas been visited
upon her for breaking a treaty. At
the beginning it was military ne"es-
sity that prompted the violation of
Belgium's neutrality. The chancel-
lor admitted the invasion was 10
lation of international law. I'm this
country it is regarded as a stain on
Germany's national honor that moth
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
A Dangerous Auto Regulation.

To the Editor Of the Mail Bag:
One of the traffic regulations In
washington-and 1t is the same in most
other cities-is for automobiles to keep
close to the curb. AS driver Of long
experience this has always seemed to
me as not only a ridiculous, but a dam
gerous practice. The only narrow es-
capes 1 have had from accidents was
while driving close to the curb. Chill
dren frequently, and pedestrians often,
step from the curb without looking to
see II an automobile is approaching,
and 1t Is this which results in the most
careful and experienced drivers having
accidents. If you will recall the testt-
mony given at inquests over automobile
victims in this city during the last few
years you will find that many Of them
occurred In just this way. The public
often blames the driver when 1t is
usually the pedestrian who is at fault.
J. J. W.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
THE COTTON EX-
CHANGES.

President Wilson is quoted as tell
his newspaper cabinet yesterday
~ the foreign trade outlook is
lilly encouraging. Especially die
find occasion for qualification in
matter of cotton. Orders for
p ton goods arc coming from Euro
r an, as well as Latin-American and
stern countries. which are no long
70 get their orders filled in the
ropean markets they have CON-
My patrCnized.
The President expressed the opin-
that cotton exports are still be-
normal, largely because much
the crop is net yet picked. and
delay in picking it he attributed
he fact that the cotton exchanges
the country are still closed, and
. refore growers are without a
Il price for their product, ordinar-
fixed by trade on the exchanges. -
This is a good place for a little
vcv Of the economic field in which
Ton figures, and of the relations of
.hanges to the business of market
-. Just a very little while ago. tho
ton exchanges of the country
re under the guns Of Southern
'iCism. For years there have beer
~sistent demands that the eX-
anges be reformed or forced ont Of
,iness; and the accusations against
IN, coming right from the cotton
Intry. have been calculated to es-
hlish the opinion th2t they werc
q rcosts Of robbers, cleverly organ
ID TO Skin the grower out Of I'll his
oft and as much mora as might be
Ken from him. The fact that cot
transactions have been conducted
very narrow margin on change,
Z that .hls margin doesn't widen
spit" that the price has vastly in
rased in recent years, has not heul
emed worthy CT consideration. The
ton exchanges were to blame for
the evils Of the situation. anu
atcsmanship settled down 10 cuSs-
them out.
Then suddenly the exchanges
sed; there WIS no market. The
tics of the wicked robber ex-
anges suddenly got a chance to see
Nv it would work, getting along
,thout them. And at the end Of a
" short but very disastrous weeks
% learn that the President thinks
e cotton business is demoralized
rgely because the exchanges are
osed, and there is, as q conse-
ience, no fixed price!
Perhaps the fact will at last be
saressed on the critics of the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
Wants Eyesores Removed From
avenue"

To the Editor of the Mail Bag
Don't YOU think it is about time to
start a real campaign for the removal
of the eyesores which line both sides
of PENNSYLVANIA avenue from the Capt.
toI +o the Treasury. We know that it
is the ultimate aim of the Governments
leaders to make The Avenue" the most
beautiful boulevard in the world. Why
not begin right away
the Avenue to Congress and Washing
ton. It owes an Immediate elimination
A WASHINGTONIAN.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
Saloon Proprietor Would Know His
Fate.

To the Editor Of the Mail Bag:
Under the new liquor law it is the
duty Of the Excise Board to reduce
the number Of saloons in the District
by November 1 to 900. This means
that approximately $50 barrooms will
be put out Of business. Many Of these
the proprietors know beyond any
doubt are in prohibited territory. but
with others there is much doubt and
speculation as to who will be put out
Of business and who will not.
The indications are that the Excise
Board will not announce the 300 who
will be permitted to stay in business
until the last minute. This is work
ing great injustice on many saloon
men in the same position as myself,
for I do not know whether 1 am one
of those who have to go. If the board
would only make its announcements
right away, those who are to be put
out Of business could reduce their
stock, make plans for closing out
their business, and complete other
necessary arrangements 1t certainly
does not seem fair that the doubt
fur ones are not to know their fate
until the last day Of the month.
JUSTICE"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
something Ike 900 per cent increase In
the output
y Few Eigibles Available.

We got in touch with the civil sery-
Ice and appointed all the plate printers
and assistants eligible. OF the assist.
ants-women whose services we needed
badly-there were but go available for
appointment.
Everything in the bureau today Is
predicated upon skill. Novices could not
be taken in and trained, for it takes
years to bring them to standard which
will allow them to undertake emergency
work, even under the conditions which
prevail at the bureau.
But, gigantic as the task was, the
ESQ girls employed here undertook 1t
cheerfully and willingly. And their at
titude was all the more remarkable be-
cause not one of them was compelled
to undertake the overtime work. The
eisht-hour law for women applies under
ordinary conditions in the bureau, but
1t does not apply In eases of Govern
ment emergency. The average service
performed by each girl was twelve
hours work a day. A good many OF
the girls made even more time than
this, day in and day out The average
days work at the Bureau consumes
from seven to seven and a half hours.
The plate printers assistants seemed
to realize that money panic might en-
sue IL the emergency currency were not
In praise Of their loyalty and efficiency"
Health Actually Improves.
The sanitary conditions at the new
Bureau of Engraving and Printing un-
doubtedly rendered the task Of the girls
more easy of accomplishment than they
would have found it over in the old
building. But even with an air supply
which is absolutely changed every seven
minutes, and other precautions to en-
sure the workers against sickness, there
were, at the beginning Of the fifty-day
emergency shift when the Bureau ran
full blast at all hours, a very few cases
Of nervous exhaustion. But none of
these were serious and the plate print
erS assistants of the Bureau have fin
ished up their work, the Bureau physi-
clan declares, in as good, if not better
condition than when they undertook it..
The officers Of the Plate Printers As
sfstants' Union are: Miss Rappaport,
president; Miss Vida Hurdle, vice.
president: Miss Gertrude McNally, re-
cording- secretary: Miss r. NJ. Lovatre.
financial secretary, and Miss Louise
bangle, treasurer.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
A FRIEND OF THE NEEDY
Would Let Motormen Sit Down.

To the Editor of the Mail Bag:
Whv are not the motormen allowed to
sit down while running the street cars
] have thought over the matter and
can see no substantial reason for such
a ruling The suburban cars have had
seats installed recently for the motor
men. but as soon as cars ei'el me Dls
trict the seats have to be folded up,
and the tired motorman has to stand.
Some of the motormen claim that they
can rim the cars better when sitting. In
some cities the street car motormen are
always allowed to sit down. Why not
allow the Washington motormeh TO DO
likewise
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
KING COTTON THEME
OF EULOGY IN HOUSE
South's Snow Crop Basis for
Financial Structure of Ma
ton, Says HefIin.

Here's a tribute to King Cotton, now
temporarily dethroned. 1t was uttered
in the House late yesterday by Con-
gresham Tom Helm Of Alabama. who
was pleading for legislation to tide over
the Southern farmer, while he has no
market for the South's staple crop. In
the course Of an extended speech, Mr..
Helm grew a bit poetic. and said
Mr.. Speaker, upon the cotton plant
and its snowy offspring rests the finan-
cial structure Of this government It
was behind cotton bales at New Orleans
that Jackson fought the decisive battle
with the British. Wherever the Amer
lean soldier goes, the white tent from
the cotton field Of the South goes with
him, and when he lies down at night
with the Stars and Stripes fluttering
above him it is a flag made of cotton
and a tent made Of cotton that protects
him while he sleeps.
Cotton is the only plant in the King
dom Of agriculture every pound Of which
Is converted into money, every dollars
worth of which contributes to the finan-
cial wealth Of the entire United States.
Cotton Is the master production and I'M
der normal conditions is the most read
lily Cashed.
Destroy the crop for one year and
you take out Of circulation a hundred
million dollars more money than the ma
tional bank circulation Of the United
States. 1t affords commercial life to
the South at this season, and now it is
prone. stricken by conditions incident to
the European war. My stricken people
ask for aid. not that any gift may be
made to them. but they ask that the
Government shall place the money where
the producer himself shall obtain it.
keep his cotton off the market and not
be impoverished by cruel war abroad"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
TakOma Park Children
Exhibit Garden Products

The public library at Takoma Park
today presents scene that would do
credit to a small-sizcd county fair. Gar
den products of the most beautiful and
luscious kinds are on exhibition, all
grown by the children of the neighbour
hood.
The exhibit is under the auspices of
the Women's Home Interest Club of
that suburb. which has Offered prizes
for the best fruits. flowers. ard vese-
tables grown BY the children These
prizes comprise medals. pennants, edu-
cational trips. utility and cAAh awArdA
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
Trade Bureau Office to
Be Opened in St. Louis

Secretary Redield announces that q
branch office of the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce will be opened
in St Louis early in November. The
new office. which will be the eighth
opened within fifteen months. will be in
charge of an experienced official from
Washington.
Secretary Redheld wishes to establish
an unbroken line OF communication be-
tween business men and the department
at Washington. The seven branches al
ready in active operation are located at
New York, Chicago. New Orleans, san
francisco. Boston. Seattle, and Atlanta.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
The Soldiers Choice.

Little Frederick is fine. manly chap,
and so far his overindulgent mother
and father have not succeeded in spoil
ing him.
He spends much of his time marching
up and Gown with a fierce expression
on his face.
..\Nhat arc YOU going to be when you
grow up, Frederick" asked an adm;T-
ing friend OF his one day.
Soldier, of course" was the brief
reply.
Bat YOU might get killed"
''Whb'd kill me-
"Tnt enemy, naturally
Then I'll be the enemy" quickly re-
torted the dad.-N ational Monthly.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-10-17
More Benches Needed In Parks.

To the Editor Of the Mail Bag:
In finishing out certain sections OF Po-
tomac Park, 1.-The peoples playground"
have the army engineers forgotten that
the reservation is for the benefit Of folk
who find it impossible to own such a
luxury as an automobile. as we'll as
those who possess motors? 1 do not
write this as criticism OF the admir-
able work being accomplished by the
Superintendent Of Public Buildings and
Grounds and his force. but merely as a
suggestion that more benches are need
ed in the park for those who would use
1t as a place to sojourn from the hum
drum of the city close by. am sure
that II this matter is brought to the at
tention Of those in charge the sugges-
ton will bear fruit. We are wont to
enjoy Potomac Park and do whatever
we can to make 1t conform in every way
with the plan Of the city beautiful"
WARWICK,