davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Penny Depravity

1T is un-American and unwise to support
l lynch Law in any FORM but if lynch law
could be justified in any circumstances, New
York has furnished an example Of a good
excuse. Seven penny peddlers of cocaine to
school children have been arrested in Harlem
There appears to be plenty of evidence that
they have built up thriving business selling
what they call happy powder to Harlem
boys and girls. This happy powder is moth
ing but cocaine. and is used by shifting
through the nostrils.
1t is beyond the average man TO under
stand how, for any gain whatever human
beings in the form of men would or could
stoop to such methods of coming money, but
there appears to be not the slightest doubt
that the industry has been we'll established.
In one school alone, in which there are 1890
pupils. the principal declares that majority
OF them have become addicted to the cocaine
habit through the happy powder" There
is not enough law to deal with the promoters
of such an enterprise. And IL is possible
that, In the absence of sufficient law, if a
few parents of debauched children should deal
out summary punishment to men caught in
the business, it would be difficult to find n
jury of twelve men to beg the question of
justification in the premises.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Make the appointment OH Meri,

THE form OF our government including our
municipal government, makes 1t neces-
sary, or at least inevitable. that most public
officials shall be politicians. While the pos
session OF political skill and influence by no
means predicates the possession also OF first
rate executive and administrative qualities 1t
happens frequently that the adroit politician
is also an acceptable public servant.
In the first place, he must have intelligence,
at least OF sort, to gain his influence, and
sometimes he can sink his partisanship deep
enough to manage a gas plant run
Street Cleaning Department, or collect taxes
or keep set of books, or even make laws
with a considerable efficiency He can per-
form these duties because their connection
with politics is casual and more or less artifi-
cial, and not absolutely ingraned and in the
nature of things.
But there never professional politi-
clan who ever lived, and there never will be
one, who could manage a public employment
bureau. where he had been installed by wire
pulling, and make it anything other than a
travesty. A man placed in such an office by
Pol1tlcal influence must be responsive to po-
l'tical urging and suggestion in the discharge
OF It's functions. 1t is not necessary to as
sumo that he is any worse than the rest of
us to justify that statement. It's essential
and unvarying truth is proved by the whole
experience of mankind. 1t is a condition
from the evil consequences of which the civil
service has provided only partial escape
Getting down to brass tacks why cannot
the commission that will direct the Public
Employment Bureau, after it has organized
announce that it will receive the applications
of qualified citizens of Richmond for appoint
ment to the position of manager and an.
neunce at the same time that selection will
be made without regard to any other con-
sideration save fitness alone; and then do
what it says 1t will do?
course of that kind would carry out the
promise made to the public when the organi-
zation of this bureau was under Amusement
and when public approval was sought and
obtained To follow it would represent ordi-
nary good faith. To disregard it and make
a political appointment would violate the i'm
piled contract into which the community
thought II had entered.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

TO the Editor of The Times Dispatch
Sir.-Every baseball loving fan in Richmond
is anNiously watching the progress and outcome
OF the transfer Of the Baltimore Intcrnationals
to Richmond.
Richmond needs the In terna tional League and
the international League needs Richmond In
Richmond, the International League IL getting
one of the best or not the best) cities support
ing a minor league club Sam Crane. we'll known
sporting writer OF the New York Evening
Journal. more than once has stated that Rich
ball Tin the matter Of patronage), and deserved
better baseball than any Glass e league could
afford" Richmond can, and will. support high
class ball. and the International League can
expect successful season il they place the
Baltimore club in Richmond
On the other hand. let IL be said that this is
golden" opportunity for this city. Richmond
would be benefited commercially become better
acquainted with cities i'm the East we'll the
two Canadian cities. which embrace the circuit.
The fans want good class OF ball. and IL Is
10 the good business men OF Richmond to
that they get IL. Many lovers OF the great
national game" visited the amateur lots last
season, rather than pay for the class Of ball
Richmond is growing, and this franchise will
help considerably in the advancement of this
city.
Let the good business of Richmond get
together and put the deal through. If they do
they certainly depend the fans TO do
their part next spring and summer.
In closing, let il be said that the fans in
general appreciate the efforts OF Mr. Bradley
Mr.. Dunn and The Times Dispatch in doing ali
they can to get the franchise for Richmond
Richmond, December &c. 1914. y. McA
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Shortage i'm Beef and

an the heels of government reports that
~ beef on the hoof is running short, comes
statement from Philadelphia that the sup
ply of diamonds will be reduced SO per cent
by war conditions The result already has
been an increase Of IS per cent in the price
Of the best cuts of diamonds.
We might stand the increase in best cuts
OF beef. and by strict adoption of vegetarian
diet we might even escape lament over the
shortage of cattle; but this shortage in dia-
monds hits us where we live. The average
citizen accustomed 10 his scuttleful of dia-
monds every week two. will suffer enor-
mously. and somebody should do something
about 1t.
There is hardly woman who does
not use ceftan amount of diamonds, to say
nothing Of diamond dust and other by-pro-
ducts, just as in the best families there is
now large consumption of radium True
time was when diamonds were not in such
great demand, but installment houses where
engagement rings are furnished on the uneasy
plan have changed all that. Also since the
owner of a two-story house has bought an
automobile by mortgaging his house il is
hardly possible TO get along without dia-
monds.
1t might be good idea-and certainly it
would he popular, vote-getting plan--for
The administration 10 appoint Il commission
TO investigate this diamond shortage If
such things are allowed TO pass, the first
thing the common people know there will be
shortage III potatoes and coal.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

rev hours after leaving wives children they
are back I'm their cold. wet trenches in Flanders.
rms week END leave Is typically In
sohance with British custom that wonders
~ some Kind of a bank holiday will not soon
pc arranged with the Germans. IL the deadlock
continues much longer. From the military view
point. the brief visits home thoroughly JUS
Hheu. Nothing outside of bullets did more
damage during our Civil War than nostalgia:
ana the eril effects of Inconsistencies in destroy
ing vitality and weakening the will to live
on were plainly noticeable during the Boer war
otiii ahother reason doubtless Influences the War
Dtce' ana that Is the effect upon recruiting
me returning men certain Of their
eventual triumph over the enemy and so full
OF quiet readiness to return to their terrible
hIe under fre as to make them the most use full
OF recruiting sergeants. But week-en cxcur-
siohs nome from the front none the less
an amazing novelty i'll warfare-Ncw York
Evening Post.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Building Better Roads

That remarkable progress has been
. made IN the building Of good roads
| throughout the United states during
. the past few years is proved by data
| recently obtained by the American
Highway Association and soon TO be
published in the official Good Roads
y ear Book for 1915. Ii has been found
! that more than $4,000 miles of sur
! faced roads have been constructed dur
( ing 1919 and 1914. and that during
the ten-year period from 1904 to 1914
more than $4,000 miles have been COM
pleted
That this progress has been really
amazing may be understood from the
TACT that in 1904 there were only 103.-
ooo miles of surfaced roads of all
typos in the United States. That the
movement is attaining momentum as
IT goes is proven Ivy the fact that while
the average mileage constructed per
annum during the past ten years is
$500 miles. the total completed for
1914 exceeded $4,000 miles
The report will show that something
tlike 10000 miles OF highway have been
completed with the aid of State funds,
of which over 100000. 900 have been
expended. The state aid movement
began in 1872, and has, therefore, con-
| tinued for twenty-five years. Only
recently has it gotten we'll under way
rs the results accomplished for 1913
and 1914 comprise u total OF 10000
miles Of state aid highways completed,
or I'm two years time onc-third of the
entire mileage constructed with tho
aid of State funds has been completed.
only six States now, out of :, total
of forty eight. are without state high
way departments, and thirty States
have granted actual money aid to the
building of roads. The Year Book,
which is the official reference publ
cation for all good roads information,
is n large, cloth-bound volume, issued
early in each calendar year by the
American Highway Association
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Queries and Answers
Old Style.

Please state why dates about 1885, etc. are
sometimes written with double year as
January 3, SO. or January = l74a..
MRS e.
and 49.1 seconds, is impossible a practical
measure and the allowance OF 36j days even
with the 366 days every fourth year. has thrown
the dating of the world out with the position
of the earth and the Corrections have
been made by altering the calendar nd the las Il
that of Pope Gregory in 1852. brought the earth
dating up eleven days. and adopted by
England only i'm 1852 by causing the day follow
ing the I'd of September, 1852, to he marked
the 18th. The English dating before this day
is called "old STYLE after new STYLE" and in
books printed later and in inscriptions, some
times as late as 1900 referring to events about
the time Of the change of STYLE" il is not un-
common to see the two years given as Il warn
ing that the difference of eleven days might
throw the date into either year, according as
the old style the employed
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
The Fate of Austria-fiunpury

n ENN ING a rumor that Austria Hungary
II particularly llungary--is tired of the
war ana has sought peace with the allies
on the basis Of the cession of Galicia to Rus
sia and Bosnia TO Servia the Austro- Hun
gar,an ambassador TO the United States Dr.
Dumba, says one reason why the report can
not be true is that the treaty of 1879 binds
Germany and Austria to fight together and
conclude peace only Jointly Austria, how
ever. has the best German authority for tho
statement that treaty is no more than ga
scrap OF paper, and has no binding force on
any nation when that nations material in
terests are threatened
Despite this consideration, 1t is unlikely
thal the reports are true DR. Dumba is on
SAFER ground when he says that ''sclf-intercst
prevents Austria Hungary from breaking
WIN her ally and entering into negotiations
FOR separate peace" The Tcutonic coali-
ton is fighting now with its back against tho
wall. IT must win, and win decisivcIv i'm or
der 10 prevent Austria IIungary's partition
itaiy LOOKS with longing eyes on her south
western provinces, and the Slav peoples in
the eastern reaches Of the empire are likely
10 welcome the physical attachment of their
territory to either Russia or Servia
Italian marines landed already in AL
bania, the diplomacy of the lilies has secured
the neutrality of Bulgaria, and the entrance
OF Grecce and Roumania into the conflict
further to strengthen the allies cause, appears
strong proba bility of the near future Italy
also gives evidence that she cannot be re-
strained much longer, for Trieste, bitter
hatred Of the Austrian and opportunitv
beckon her on to war.
Austria could not now obtain peace save
on terms that would represent the same sort
- national disintegration that would follow
iecisiye defeat Honor, of course, binds her
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH: SUNDAY DECEMBER 27 1914

TO Germany and self-interest as we'll, as Dr.
Dumba says. She started this war; and there
appears every good reason to believe that she
will be the principal sufferer from it. Only
ny victory that now is quite beyond the
range OF probability, IL not of possibility, can
the disappearance from the map OF Europe
OF that weller of races. religions and tongues
that mas been known as Austria Hungary be
averted
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
The Bright Side of Life
scene. .nrlIsh rrninInu Caun

Scene: English Training Camp.
Jealous Scntry--Afraid ] can't let YOU go by
without the password sir.
lratc Oihcer-3ut, confound YOU tell YOU
have forgotten II. You know well enough
I'm Major Jones.
Sentry-Can't help it. sir; must have the pass
word.
Voice From the Guard Tent-Oh, don't stand
arguing ALL night. Bill; shoot im-Tatler
The Four Ages OF Hair.
Bald,
FuHz,
Is,
Was.
New York Sun
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
The Voice of the People

Letters to the Editor should mot be over
go words In length, and the ad-
dress of the writer must accompany each
communication, not necessarily for publica-
tion. but IN an evidence of good faith. Write
on one side of the paper. and inclose stamps
II manuscript In to be returned. Partisan
letters concernink the European will not
he published.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
First woman I'atcntec.

New York Post.
The first woman named i'm the lists
of the Patent Office was Mary I<ics, OF
Killinsly, Windham County, Conn, who
received patent l040, dated May s,
1909, for improvements I'm weaving
straw with silk or thread
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Chats With Virginia Editors

IT Is said that England's war expense Is run.
ming merriy along at the rate of s2a5 ooo ooo
per month"; is n reminder given by the New
port News Times Herald But the figures will
not astonish the man who is trying support
his first automobile when he recalls that tb.
British government seized thousands of cars
belonging to private citizens at the outbreak K
of the war.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
No Cause for Excitement.

columbia State.)
Boston shipped d,000,00O shells to
England the other day Calm YOUR
self, Brother Harthoidt, calm yourself.
There We're eggs in EN-
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
The Tight-w'ad's Advantage.
Galveston News.

GALVESTON News.)
OF course the tight-wad is awfully
uncomfortable, but as general thing
he docs not have TO cmbnrrass himsslf
by asking his acquaintance to go on
his note at the bank.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

The stanton Leader predicts the early adop
ton OF nation wide prohibition. saying: we
feel confident that before many years both
houses OF Congress will act favorably on the
proposed amendment to the Constitution and
that the question will be submitted TO tho
states FOR ratification rejection. When so
submitted. can there be any question that n
sufcient majority OF the States will support 1t?
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Tools. Not T,oYs.

Flimmcr--Mct UNISON downtown to-day He'd
just bought n tin horn triangle, some blocks
a rattlcbox, some sleigh bells and popgun +
didut know he had baby.
Flamson--IIc hasn't. He's vaudeville trap
drummer. Those things part OF his OUTFIT
Puck.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
SONGS AND SAWS
What a FaIl WA. There:

Sing Il song OF siXpencc,
Pocket fun of rye.
Streets made mighty slippery
BY the snow piled high.
First there came a tumble
Despite painstaking care
And then rye-likc aromas
Perfumed the midnight air.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Has Renson 10 Bc.'
ICincinnati Times-Star.

ICincinnati Times-Star.]
Perhaps the yelled skies Of Dccem-
Der arc an indication that 1914 In
passing is ashamed Of Itself, 1t has
cyory provocution. ~ g.i,.,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

me charlotte Observer Governor
Srais 10 READ ms message to the Legislature
loiiowihg the practice President Wilson has
adopted with his messages to Congress- Mem
hers OF the Legislature, however. who hear the
Governor has spent three weeks preparing the
the change.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Gossip From down Home

me Raleigh Times strikes clarion note of
.t, seheh' ana cheer on the situation in
Mexico. 1t says AT the present rate of erecn-
lions In Mexico ii will be long before that
Is peaceful country" Perhaps that method of
tI"hquiizing disturbed state is all right at or
uihaiF seasons of the year, but it does seem
II should be modified little just at Christmas
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Newspaper English

JAMES MELVIN LEE. professor of journal
J ism in the New York University is out
with suggestion that a well-written news
paper be substituted in public schools for
some one Of the usual studies in the cur
ricuum. If this is intended as an aid TO or
in substitution for straight rhetoric and gram
mar it is not IL particularly brilliant idea
Formal instruction in language is vital If,
however, a newspaper could be introduced in
each public school for general instruction in
easy usage and for general information OF
the worlds doings il would do much that is
beyond the scope of textbooks, and would be
to that extent worth while.
UnquestiOnably, newspaper English
"journalcsc," rs some folk term it's the
English OF the people. and. taken by and
large, it is a clear, concise, direct medium of
expression Conditions under which news
papers are published undersi ood typoeraphi-
cal errors and literary inelcgancics NAV he
forgiven, few trite phrases and surface con-
tradictions may be overlooked But these
very conditions. of haste, expcdiency impera-
tive closing times compel an unramblinr road
to the thing the writer wishes to say And.
after all. language is intended to convey with
out ambiguity, and in the tongue geperal).
understood. something which in the mere cv
preston, has nothing whatever to do with
literary finish In this mission newspanor
English is the standard the accepted English
or the common understanding, with an idea,
to uphold which clears it of gross offcnses
ana yet does not require il TO shrek with
horror at a split infinitive when splitting tbo
infinitiye adds emphasis or clarity
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
proUreaa-

Stubbs-well, I've done good do.1 ,o,,,r,
cieaninB the snow off my sidewalk
Grubbs-How much have YOU cleared,
Stubbs-None. actually, but 1 have bought
nFseh snow shovel and a pair of rubber
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
(:cOrre's Reward.

Mrs. Boron Wright--Grace, why isn't your
brother. George, at our party, too?
Grace--ticorge's been good boy all week.
and mamma said he needn't comc-philadeph ia
Bulletin,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

All trains says the Concord Chronicle ARE
carrying from one to five extra express cars
at this time exclusively for the wiisley trade"
ihat ought to indicate an extra large crop of
New Year resolutions in that section of the Tar
heel State
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

Says the Hampton Monitor: There are very
Few Hamptonians who always seem to carry
crouch about with them Which explains
how Hampton got its nickname, Crab Town
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

Every man may have his price. pessimists
assert: but sometimes there is no man who
can pay it,. says the Danville Register. Which
sounds something like a confession and some
thing like a boast.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
One Journey, Anyhow,

Year? i VIC We"
re- consider 1t extremely likely. | have
JUST been thinking over my liabilities and ha ye
decided to go into bankruptcy
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

with 600 in the bread line of a. PbiladcI
phIa mission, writer on belgian starvation
doesn't have to go abroad for local color
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

The Norfolk Ledger Dispatch protests: Talk
about eXtortionate charges. here is woman
prophet in Paris who charges = cents each for
her war prophecies The editor evidently does
not believe prophet is entitled TO war
profits
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

1t would he pleasant if the commission in
charge should decide, without regard to poll
tlcs, 10 make the city present of a really
efficient manager for the new Public Employ
ment PuIeau.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

Speaking of dry humor what's the matter
with a prohibition joke?' the Newport News
Press asks. No objection to II If the joke is
in good spirit
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

OF course, New York Is organizing agains
the Mormons. Polygamy by divorce is In
proper capcr there
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

The Greensboro Record is in trouble some
good judges Of liquor have recently as a mere
matter or curiosity, been examining samples of
the stuff captured from blind tigers by the no
lice, and give 1T as their opinion that n man
who can drink II regularly is assuredly bomb
proof Most of them declare that il does not
even smell like liquor There is. of course
one consolation. Consumption OF this brand Of
liquid lightning ought to settle the prohibition
question in North Carolina in about the same
fashion as the Raleigh Times says political
questions are being settled In Mexico. Resides
what right have good judges of liquor" to lin :
ger on in the State anyhow?
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

Absolutely Vital.
The youthful orator who seeks
10 climb up TO the top
Should learn the first rule OF his ar,
Ana know Just when to stop
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

II should be hoped that interruption of
friendly relations between the Cabinet and
Congress is indicated by the following rcncc-
ton of the Raleigh News and Observer IF
economy is to be the watchword around Wash
ington during this session of Congress, the
SOlons do not want to overlook that shining OBJ
portunity to save the government money
by reduction of the congressional mileage al
lowance." Perhaps Congress does not believe
that economy should behave like charity and
begin at home.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

The Catawba News prints this blatant incite-
ment to envy and homicide: THE News man
does not claim to be an expert of hog raising,
but he killed pig this week that weighed
about 400 pounds from which he made sixty
pounds of lard, and is now feastinG crack
ling cornbrcad fit for King to eat" Next
week. perhaps, this very editor will be filling
his columns with moral reflections the vio-
lent death rate and wondering why
not keep their anger under better control.