davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
TurplnIte.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: The
New York times says editorially that the
reports of the use by the French artillery
of a terrible explosive called turpenlte
have not been authenticated As TO tur-
penite, we do not believe there is any
such thing"
There is no such thing as "turpenite,"
but "turpinite" Is an explosive invented
by NJ. Eugene Turpin, the eminent French
chemist and inventor OF melnite He an
nounced the discovery OF this explosive in
1893, and while the announcement made
marked impression upon the French
Government committee in charge OF in
vestigating explosives. this committee did
not look with favor upon the particular
substance submitted. NJ. Turpin's ex-
plosive Is In the class OF picric powders
which include such OF the o-substitu-
ton explosives as owe their explosive
power to picric acid or a picrate.
Some years ago NJ Turpin was accused
OF having sold the secret OF his detonator
TO an English company. having as an &C
complete an officer named Tripone. AL
though acquitted of this charge, he was
nevertheless condemned to five years inn
prisonment for having divulged secrets
relating to national defence in a brochure
entitled How the Melinite Was Sold"
FRANK II. VIzErELLY.
NEW YORK, October 7.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

II was on Sunday last that THE
Sun called attention 10 the patriotic
sentiments which should just now help
swell the size of the audiences at the
Century Opera House until the public
support of that institution was rs great
as II deserves 10 he II has now been
officially announced that the Metropoli-
can Opera House will open Its doors
and carry through the season arranged
before war spread over Europe. But
had Italy seen fit to declare itself in
on that international struggle, there
might have been no performances Of
any kind except those provided in the
ycrnacular by the company that sings
on the west side of Central Park. In
the possession OF an organization
which is capable of achieving so much
Tor the citizens of New York there
should be grounds for civic pride as
well as the sense OF gratitude which
awakens patriotic support.
The Century Opera Company was
meant TO supply operate performances
10 the people. In that respect 1t is n
popular institution in the best sense of
the word. is support must come from
/ the people who are deriving advan-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
POLICE sPEEDOMETERS.
Possible Explanation OF Disagreements
with Motorists.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir' Read
ing the account of the arrest OF Mrs.
Fiagler's chauffeur last Sunday. II oc-
ours to me that IL may not be superfuous
to call attention to a feature of many OF
the arrests for speeding made by the
police.
1t is reported that the speedometer OF
the Flagler car indicated speed OF be-
tween fifteen and sixteen miles an hour.
while the motorcycle policeman testified
that according to his speedometer the
car was travelling at twenty-five miles an
hour. Entirely regardless OF the facts In
this particular case, in which the police
man may have been correct, II is a matter
OF fairly common knowledge that the
motorcycle officers very frequently charge
much higher rate of speed because they
take the reading OF their own speedometer
while overtaking a car.
1t would seem impossible that a man
OF the average intelligence OF the police
force should be guilty of this error. but
1t does occur, and not infrequently. I
personally have had the experience, as
well as more than one OF my friends. and
think that justices. magistrates and
others having to deal with such cases
should bear in mind this frequent source
Of erroneous testimony. w. G. w.
New YORK, October g.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
OTTLIERS.
How the suburbs Attain Their Dispropor-
tionate Wealth.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir! IN
der the heading "Weehawkens Pride"
your correspondent compared the borrow
ing at 4l5 per cent. on bonds for improve
ments in Weehawken as against the 6
per cent rate recently paid by this city.
Your contributor likewise says that his
town Is the smallest In area, although
bonsting s22.000.O00 real estate value.
Finally he attributes the success of
Weehawken to the businesslike manage
ments of the Mayor and township COM
mission
Is II not IN good part to ask where the
22.000,000 value would be II the geo.
graphical nearness to Manhattan did not
exist? Again. how much correspondingly
does Manhattan gain because OF Wee
hawken?
IL 1t not the fact that a class like the
jewellers in this and similar towns. who
pay rent where they sleep and spend
money locally, thus he's, out their own
counties and never New York?
These people earn their money in New
York: why not make them pay some
share of the metroeJliss expense?
A New YORKER.
NEW YORK October
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

now have the power TO enter into any trea-
ties Of arbitration, and inasmuch as to pass
these amended treaties does not In the
smallest degree facilitate settlements by ar
bitration, to make them would In no way
further the cause OF International peace
II would not in my judgment. be wise or ex-
pedient to try to secure the assent OF the
other contracting Powers to the amended
treaties. for even II such consent were Sc
cured we would still remain precisely where
we were before, save where the situation
may be changed a little for the worse. There
would not even be the slight beneht that
might obtain from the more general state
ment that we intend hereafter, when we
can come to an agreement with foreign
Powers as to what shall be submitted %
enter into arbitration treaties: for we have
already, when we ratified the Hague treaty
with the various signatory Powers. solemnly
declared such to be our intention; and moth
ing IL gained by reiterating our adherence
to the principle while refusing to provide
any means Of making our Intention efrectual,
In the amended form the treaties contain
nothing except such expression Of barren
Intention, and indeed. as compared with
what has already been provided In the
Hague arbitration treaty they probably rep
resent not a step forward but a slight step
backward as regards tho question OF inter-
national arbitration. As such l do not
think they should receive the sanction Of
opinion that this Government lacks the
power to enter into general treaties Of arbi.
tration. but II am in error. and II this
Government has no power to enter into
such general treaties, then Il seems 20
me that It IL better not to attempt to
make them. rather than to make the at
tempt In such shape that they will ac-
complish literally nothing whatever when
made. Sincerely yours
(SignedD THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Hon. S. NJ. Culom. United States Senate.
This letter was read to the Senate, and
Notwithstanding the positive declaration
by Mr.. Roosevelt that he would not ask
any OF the foreign Governments to con-
sent to the amendment made by the SEN
ate. the treaties were amended and rati-
fed by the Senate.
/ told the President ia advance OF the
action OF the Senate what would be done
and he rather CURLY remarked that the
matter was closed. and that he would not
ask the other Governments to agree to
the treaties as amended. And no further
action was taken on the treaties.
Perhaps II Colonel Roosevelt were
President again. and the Senate would
not interpose its constitutional preroga-
tive, he would again favor arbitration
treaties or agreements. directly between
the President and the Kaiser or the
Car. all having equal powers, and no
Senate or Parliament or Constitution to
interfere. l.. w. b.
WASHINGTON, d. c., October S.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
THE MODERN SEVEN WONDERS.
\ Brooklyn List OF which the Last Item
Is, However. Ancient.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: In
my opinion the seven modern wonders OF
the world are as follows: The wire tele-
graph has brought the nations OF the
world In closer touch with each other,
stimulated trade in and between the diff
ferent countries and is a great factor in
business to-day.
Wireless telegraph has proved itself
great benefactor to mankind. II has been
the means OF saving thousands of lives
at sea that would have been lost but for
Its timely aid.
The electric motor is an indlspensab BILE
medium OF travel. Where would we he IL
II were not for our electric cars? People
can now live Ave or ten miles out of town
with the assurance they can reach the
city and their business in short time
II they had TO rely on the old fashioned
horse car they could not do this
The photograph has been and is the
means of untold JOY and entertainment.
Capable OF recording speeches by great
men. such records can be preserved and
handed down to future generations II It
had been In use years ago we could now
hear the voice OF George Washington or
Abraham Lincoln.
Moving pictures, another example OF
mans ingenuity. We know what amuse-
ment this form of entertainment gives. and
al price within everybody's reach. 1t is
also one of the greatest educators and
mind broadeners imaginable.
Air craft, although of no special value
10 us as yet shows that man has gone
his feathered rival "one better" In being
able to perform the stunts he does in the
air. seemingly defying the law of gravita-
ton.
Irrigation. Picture thousands OF square
miles OF arid land that had not produced
vegetation for centuries, when behold the
hand OF man causes this same barren
waste TO bring forth into beauty and
usefulness by his method OF irrigating
FRANCIS T. A. DUNN
BROOKLYN, October s.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

Lloyd's is insurng dwelling houses
in London at the rate of 81 cents per
$500 against damage by German air
craft. while the rate on a human life j.
SO cents. This does not indicate that
rumors of Zeppelin raids are causing
much OF funk in the metropolis Ac
Cording To German newspapers re-
ceived at The Hague there Is to be a
day Of reckoning for London. however.
They report that Count XEPPELGN is
preparing TO lead raiding fleet Of
dirigihes against England. Count FER
DINANp. by the way. is In his seventy
seventh year. Meeting him in a train
bound for Wilhemshaven the Emperor
said: Il hope you have not forgotten
England" He was assured that the
inventor had not. and would prove it
soon. The Emperor offered to bestow
upon him the title Of "Generalissimo"
OF the air fleet. II will accept the title,
your Majesty" said the old Count,
when return from England" 1t Is
pretty story as 1t stands, hut the
question IL one OF the seriousness of
the menace.
1t has been asserted that in tho
European war the Zeppelin has done
less damage than a single field piece,
and that 1t has done nothing that an
aeroplane could not do better. In view
of Zeppelin activity at Antwerp this
judgment needs amendment. A fleet
Of Zeppelins sailing over London and
dropping explosives would give the peo-
pie below scare TO last them life
| time, but not many of them would be
killed and the destruction wrought could
he calculated without much trouble.
The dirigible has not been n notable
success in the war. Moreover, Ger
many does not possess what could he
called a fleet Of Zeppelns, According
TO the NdrdI and Military Record Of
recent date only one naval dirlglble
L-3, has been completed. She had her
maiden flight on May Is An enor-
nous ship of the rigid type is Lib
She has a length of SIS feet, a breadth
of AZ and depth of 81 feet. With
three Maybach motors of 200 horse
power her speed Is forty-seven miles
an hour. With a lifting capacity Cf
eight and a half tons there Is no doubt
that she could carry besides her crew
Of seventeen and supplies, consider
able store of explosives. On one Of
her trials she kept the air for thirty
four hours. Other naval dirigibles are
building, and In course of time Ger
many will have a fleet" Of LBS. 1t
is true that a number of Schuette, Lanz
and Parseval airships are available,
but whether they could be used effec-
lively in a raid on the British capital
Is doubtful. 1t must always be borne
In mind that the dirigible Is a frail ship
under storm conditions
The London Engineer declares that
in the first three weeks OF the war the
Zeppelins proved hopeless failure
They are certainly no longer dreaded,
and this Is largely the case because
they are vulnerable to attack by those
gadflies of the air the aeroplanes
which can manpuvre much faster AMI
ram the great ships or pierce their en-
velopes with rife and small gun fire
! In the event OF the appearance of A
Zeppelin over London "fotilla" OF
aeropanes would be sent after IT, The
risk Of the pilots would Of course be
extreme, but in war great risks have to
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
MONEY FOR COENTIES REEF.
senate Passes the Resolution for
Harbor Improvement.

WAsHINGToN, oct. s.--The Senate to-
day passed the joint resolution introduced
by Senator O'Gorman few days ago au-
thorlznB the Secretary OF War to use
ANY allotment" made under the provisions
OF the last river and harbor bill for the
Improvement of East River and Hell Gate,
together with uneNponded balances of sp-
preparations heretofore made. "for the re-
moval of Coenties Reef to a depth ~
thirty-five feet below mean low water"
The legislation is In line with the recon
mendations made by Mayor Mitchell ~
New York and delegation which called
on the Secretary OF War a few days ago
The removal OF this reef Is necessary In
order TO facilitate the building Of the new
subway To Brooklyn, II IS believed that
the House will pass the resolution
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

When ii comes 10 equipment and eff
cheney in submarine warfare 1t is ap-
parent that the British have nothing to
learn from the Germans. in spite of an
imrrossi n to the contrary that tho
sinking of three British cruisers in the
North Sea seemed TO warrant. Young
Lieutenant-C Commander MAX X Horror
Of the British submarine E-9 in seek
ing the enemy at the mouth Of the
Ems River and sinking a destroyer
he had previously blown up the German
cruiser Hela-did not equal the score
Of submarine 10, but he proved by his
daring achievement that the British
hotlla must always be reckoned with
and carries torpedoes fully as powerful
as those used by the Germans. The
destroyer sunk was blown asunder by
contact. A cruiser or battleship struck
in the same way would have gone to
the bottom.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
Copper Consumers.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: In
this mornings SUN the article Agree on
Plan for Copper Shipments" reads.
Holland ranks next TO Germany. the lars-
est consumer tof copperl in the world
Germany IL not the largest consumer of
copper This distinction lies with our
own country, where the consumption OF
copper Is above 100000 tons a year
greater than that of Germany. The Meth
erlands consumes only about 900 tons OF
copper a year. and Is about the smallest
consumer in the world.
A. w. Mu.LHAusER.
New YORK, October 9.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
The Twenty-one Acre Crime.

We wonder II IT can be true, as the
DISPATCHES say. that Governor Cot
QUIT has recommended in a special
message ~ the Legislature Of Texas a
law restricting the cultivation of the
cotton lands of that State to twenty
acres for each grower; and that bills
have already been introduced making
it a criminal offence for any grower to
grow more than twenty acres of cotton
next season, the penalty being fine mp
10 5000. or Imprisonment up to five
years. or both.
II this is the fact there is mani.
testify need in TeSas for elementary
instruction about the fundamental rights
of citizenship.
Such restrictions of industry, such
impairments of invested values such
interference with the owners legiti-
mate control of his own property. are
contrary TO the first principles of the
social compact
II this law should pass and II a citi-
zen of Texas owning, let us say, forty
acres OF cotton land should be put In
Jail for five years or five days for
planting twenty-one acres next season,
what would happen when his unique
and astonishing case came TO the SUI
preme Court of the United States for
review?
The Constitution of the United
States expressly prohibits the passage
by any State OF any law inIpairing the
obligation of contracts The purchase
of forty acres of cotton land, under the
law Of Texas at the time of the trans
action was an implied contract by
which the purchaser acquired the right
to cultivate all the forty acres in cot
ton If he saw III so to do. Governor
CoLoUITT's proposed law impairs the
obligation of that contract.
The Supreme Court has held In sew
eral cases that even a grant Of land by
the State Itself is contract within the
meaning of the Constitution, and as
much within the reach of the prohibi-
ton as contracts or grants of private
persons Grant of land once voun
tarily made by State by a special law
or under general laws. can no more be
revoked by subsequent law than
those founded on valuable considera-
zion. In the case Of State granted
lands in Texas the curtailment of the
use of the land is an attempt by the
State to resume control by subsequent
legislation.
But 1t would probably he said by
Governor CoLoUITT and the contract
impairing statesmen in the Texas Leg
islature chat all contracts are subject to
the right of eminent domain; chat this
entry by the State upon privately owned
land is for the public good; for public
use, and therefore constitutional.
The Texas Bill of Rights used to con-
tain the provision that mo persons
property shall be taken, damaged or
destroyed for or applied 10 public use
without adequate compensation being
made, unless by the consent of such
person" The same prohibition Is
foGnd in the Fifth Amendment of the
Constitution of the United States.
The constitutional bulwark against
the invasion of private property rights
for purposes Of supposed socialistic
expedience Is pretty solid. SO much for
the proposed enactment of new crime,
the twenty-one acre crime.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
be taken, and there is no lack Of volun-

be taken, and there Is no lack Of volun-
teers. At high attitudes the aeroplanes
would attack, while guns made ex-
pressly for the purpose and mounted on
buildings would make a target Of the
Zeppeins when they were within range.
The military experts in London are
very confident that they could deal
successfully with raid by Count FER
DfNAND. Doubtless we shall know be-
fore many months pass what the men,
ace of bomb carrying dlrigibles in force
really amounts to. That some kind Of an
experimental raid will be attempted by
one or more airships before long is to
be supposed. To please the Kaiser in
war is to undertake hazardous service.
and a Zeppelin attack on London seems
to appeal to his imagination.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
SEASON OF FRENCH DRAMA SURE
Lucien Bonheur Announce OPENING
on November 10.

Lucien Bonheur, president OF the
French Drama Society, announced yes
terday that the rganizat!on would open
its season on November l6 with a per
Torrance Of Roman Coolus's play. "t'ne
Femme Passa." This will be possible
as Mr. Bonheur says he has just received
word from Paris that all the actors hs
engaged In Paris will by that time have
reached this country TO prepare for tho
season of French plays.
There will be Friday matinees for the
benefit OF students of the French Ian
guage, Nine, Yorska will also lecture
every week on French diction and litera'
ture.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

The Society for the Promotion of
Family Happiness, which has applied
for articles Of Incorporation. offers this
schedule Of It's aims:
ITO aid members IN the training and
discipline of their children and to prepare
children for the practical duties OF mar
ried life; to help married couples lead
proper lives to prevent differences from
arising between married couples 10 i'm
prove the mentalites OF those about to he
married. so that there will be fewer fool
ish marriages"
A reporter found two Of the incor-
porators playing pinochle in a cafe, II
tranquil, philosophical and time-beguil-
ing pursuit, perhaps more likely 20
promote single than double happiness.
The third incorporation is snid to keep
a saloon, an interesting source of do.
nestle felicity. 1t is difficult or i'm
possible 10 attribute other than kindly
II somewhat deliberate purposes to the
pinochle rigorists. and the saloon
wherein pinochle Is played may he To
that extent dignifed and purified.
still. not from plnochlists. of all men,
not even from the master of n pinochle
arena saloon. would have been expected
such an ironlcal jab at the universal
busybodness of this age of regulators
and social surveyors ms the Society for
the Promotion Of Family Happiness
Beautiful and edifying as are its great
ms ot lpns twn rnprp mi pht hn added .
To furnish chaperons To honeymooners
and to improve the mentaities Of an
cestors as far back as the Cave Man.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

A proclamation" signed by German
artists. composers and scientists a
column strong. among them HARNAcE,
SUpERMANN. LIFT. HUFFMAN, RoENr-
GEN. HuMPERDINcK and BEHRISo. con-
tains the following:
are destroyed every German will regret
II, but. little as we allow any one to
override us In love OF art, the preserva-
ton OF art is not TO be bought at tho
price of German defeat"
The sophistry is unworthy Of the emil
nent men who signed the statement.
At Louvain and Rheims there was no
question at all of sacrificing works OF
art to save the German legions from
defeat.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
War Talk.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: A
day or two ago several New Workers. were
talking about the war One man put his
arm upon the shoulder OF another, saying
You are French to the core. and am
German TO the CORE but We have nothing
against each other" A bystander re-
marked: MIX French to the core with
German to the core and you have an
American" NO" said a second by
standor. mix French TO the core with
German TO the core and you have two
Americans !" c.
New YORK, October 8.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09
BARNARD ALUMNE GIVE PLAY
Elves, Ghosts and Dragons Disport
on the College Campus.

The Barnard Alumne OF 1910 gave a
play for the benefit OF the building fund
on the campus on "Wednesday night, and
despite the threatening weather Il was
well attended, II was called The Maiden
over the Wall" and consisted largely ~
elves ghosts and like jewellers OF the
night.
The stars were Miss Stratton. ~. who
was charming dragon Miss Schorr, ~
who played the hero, and Miss Hender
son. 10, the heroine, There will be another
performance tonight.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

At meeting OF settlement workers an
others in Mr. Marks's office IL was al
ranged 10 have the Federation of JewiSh
Farmers Of America put up two bins
NJ the Manhattan market to receive
produce direct from the farmers of the
association, who are scattered through
out nearby New York and New Jersey
Another new feature being planned is
coal selling at the markets In small quan-
titles at prices below outside dealers
prices.
Market prices for to-day are: Potatoes
pounds for 10 cents, 90 cents a bushel
beets, punches cents; carrots
punches cents soup green's, bunches
cents chicory salad punches f,
cents: egg plants, , cents: knob celery
cents bunch; celery hearts. 10
cents radishes, 3 punches cents pears
cents full quart; lettuce, for cents .
string beans, 10 cents a quart onions
pounds 10 cents; green tome
toes 80 cents crate ripe tomatoes
IS. s5 and 90 cents crate; cabbage
and cents apples. S pounds 10 cents
red cabbage cents pumpkins, and
10 cents cltron, 10 and 10 cents white
onions, 10 cents quart: red onions, b
cents quart; yellow onions. cents quar- O.
California grapes, cents pound Con
cord grapes, s pounds 90 cents: crab
apples. 3ia quart basket % cents: ap-
pies, sl.25 to 81 per basket: navel or
anFes. : for 10 cents pears. az quart
basket 10 cents; ounces, 10 quarts 60
cents Spanish onions, pounds 0 cents :;
plums cents a dozen.