davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
War and Life Insurance.

How will the European war enect those
insurance companies which have extend
ed their operations to foreign lands and
have insured hosts of persons among
the now warning nations? Undoubtedly
they will suffer somewhat more than IN
normal times, for many of their policy
holders are on the fighting line and
certain proportion of these Is likely to be
killed. But the leading American COM
panies do not appear TO be alarmed over
the death claim possibilities, though they
are exercised over the disOrGanization OF
their agency forces and the consequent
loss of new business. Policies containing
war clauses exempting the companies
from payment in case OF death In pat
tie, and the fact that large NUMBERS Oh
policy holders have passed the army age
are safeguards against excessive NOR
tality. while the extra premiums palo
by policy holders insured for military
service will go far to reduce the net
losses Of the companies. One OF the
American companies found that in the
smaller wars Of the past sixteen years
its excess of mortality was almost neSllS-
ible OF course, in this world-contilct the
death harvest will be much larger but, II
is claimed, not so much so as TO en-
barrass the big companies. These are
fortified with immense reserves ana are
fully prepared for any emergency.-From
Leslie's.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29

craftsmanship was ever afforded than at the
present time.
In the first place the eneroachment OF the
executive upon the legislative would seem to have
gone far enough. Already the power of the Pres
ident exceeds the widest maginings OF the found
ers of the government. President Roosevelt went
to the limit in this direction, and as the country
did not seem to revolt other Presidents are likely
to follow in his footsteps. Power breeds power.
Once in while voice is lifted in Congress
against the tendency of the times, like another
John in the wilderness but unless the voices grow
more numerous and the warnings more persistent,
the time may come when the country will have
a serious problem to face
| 1t NAV be said that the great mass OF the
American people do not care whether we drift
away from the safe moorings of hundred years,
that they are perfectly willing that the President
shall 90 as far as he likes, and that they are
sereney confident that in the end all will be we'll
1t is doubtful whether this is entirely true. There
II has been in the past few years an awakening of
interest in the power of the people and If this
sentiment continues to grow it will find its rehec-
ton in Congress. 1t is to be hoped that it will
steadily increase The one great safeguard of the
nation is more universal intelligence regarding gov
ernment a more complete understanding of the
relation of one branch to another and an increas-
ing desire to preserve intact the system which has
developed the United States into the greatest and
most successful popular government on earth.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
The Navy's Shortage in Men.

The report of Rear Admiral Victor Blue is a
clear exposition of the inadequate personnel of our
navy. Americans are already more or less familiar
with the shortage of men and officers; the state
ments of the chief of the Bureau of Navigation
place the condition in uncontrovertible form and
give basis upon which Congress can and must act.
In the next year and half eight destroyers,
ten submarines, two Dreadnoughts and several
auxiliary units will enter the service To these
vessels and bring our present battle feet up to
fighting strength will require 1900 additional men
Admiral Blue also points out the ludcrous state of
our laws in preventing the promotion of officers to
a rank which conforms with their duties. Practi-
cally all the officers on ships in Mexican waters,
for example, except heads Of departments, were in
the grade of ensign. Similarly, it has been ex-
tremey difficult to detach enough officers from feet
duty to train torpedo officers branch of the serv-
ice which has become of first Importance in view of
the submarine advance.
The present condition stunts the service. is un-
Just to the men and seriously hampers the success
full operation of our fleets. Congress cannot act
too quickly to remedy this deficiency, and it is
greatly to be hoped that Secretary Daniels will at
least not actively oppose the increased appropria-
tions demanded.-New York Tribune.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
The Blind Goddess Tricked.

| 1t is not easy on every OCCASION to refute the
claim Of the Socialists to the effect that in this
country there exists one Interpretation of the law
for the rich and quite another construction for the
poor There are also occasions when the recall of
judges is stripped of its terrors an attempt to
disregard due process of law and substitute mob
opinion. Such an occasion has recently come to
pass in the Commonwealth of New York-a verdict
and sentence which, if they actually represent the
legal conscience of the Empire State, should cause
the face of Justice, so conspicuous in the super
ornate capitol at Albany to redden with shame.
The story is simple enough for the comprehen-
sion of child. Henry Siegel, merchant, induced
several thousand persons principally laboring men
and women, to deposit their earnings in private
banking concern which he operated adjunct
of his department store business. No security
given to the depositors beyond promise to pay
slightly higher rate of interest than that paid by
the savings banks and the 100000 bond prescribed
by the State. In time the deposits reached an ag
gregate of S2,55o3336S, and this money used
by Siegel and his partner in their private business
without much "by your leave" When the
crash came, it possible to save only SI825oo of
the victims money from the wreck Siegel was in
dicted by the grand jury of his own county, but he
was granted change OF venue the plea that he
could not obtain justice at home.
And jury in inland rural district has
decided that the looting of these hard-earned mil
lions by this self-styled banker was only misde
meanor, aFd he has been sentenced to pay a fine
of 900 and to go to jail for ten months should be
find it inconvcnient to discharge considerable
portion OF his Indebtedness within period of six
months Stripped of its legal verbiage, this means
that Henry Siegel will be permitted to regain free
dom at a cost of 81 900 while his 5000 victims are
left to endure the hardships of an unprecedentedy
trying winter
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
Uninlportant If True
By DR.. ERITAS

Lawyers admire with will to make.
Many mani hidden his light in a bar glass
And the fruits of victory of always bitter.
Mexico is civilized nation" Carranza. Yes?
Berlin correspondent has gassing about those drgb
King Victor Of Italy be short of but he longheaded
imagine regiment of New York would be most effective
looks the Russian than of them
superstious selling
Sometimes think would be Cupid would edge
hammer
the other day about the Russian check have been
overdrawn.
might had sympathy Gutierrez he had had better
looking
barrels of -four Belgium That brand
Kansas
watching apple tree We did not know
apple grew so large.
We think the kind of that used in Staying the Bull
Moose party won't tell
Wewag only makes people wonder how much dirt has been
den. This Of well as fence
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
AMERICAN PRoDIGALITY.
War May Teach Is to Save for =
Rainy Day.

Of ALL the nations the United states
seems TO care less for saving pennies.
Not the government. but the Individual.
Measured bv the number of savings
bank depositors in proportion TO the
entire population. this country is tar
behind those of Europe, Japan, Aus
traIia and New Zealand.
One reason for this is that in the
southern and Western States the num-
her of savings banks is relatively few.
because the small banks serve the
same purpose in those sections There
are approximately 100000 savings
depositors in the United States and
almost three -fourths of this number
are in the six New England States. and
i'm New York. Ne wJersey. Pennsyl-
vania. Delaware and Maryland.
In making a comparison with other
countries in this matter the govern
ment postal banks introduced few
years ago should be included They
are included abroad and therefore
should be here il an accurate idea OF
the thriftness of the various nations
is to be given.
We are prodigals compared with Eu-
ropeans, and while there Is perhaps
not the same pressing necessity here
to count the pennies, it is undOubted-
ly true that Americans are too strongly
inclined to be spendthrifts. to let the
morrow take care of Itself. From the
experience of hard times occasiOned
by the war we may learn that laying
something aside for a rainy day is not
only a virtue. but a practice when
makes old age and unemployment
less terrible to think of. The trouble
is Americans do not think or IL. out
they should. - Brooklyn Stahuaru-
Union.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
A NEW AMERICANIsM.
Nation Made to Find Itself by
Greater Responsibilities.

One result will be a new American
ism-a Yankee spirit prouder than be-
fore. but at once less vain and less
conceited. We shall have found our
selves.
And that is a thing we Aad left un-
accomplished. Our brag proved it. So
did our sensitiveness. So. more espe-
cially. did the two combined. Time
was when Americans went abroad
chiefly to poke fun at the Old World
and run it down. 1t you showed them
the Sainte-Chapelle or the Pantheon or
Westminster they commented. "All well
enough for these backward folks. but
just you wait till you see our swell
new Union Station
A funny lot We were in those days.
for the very same boasters jumped for
the last book on America by the latest
European onlooker. II it praised US.
they crowded. II it didn't. they banged
their heads. Queer conduct, indeed. for
the greatest nation on earth. by
jingo!"
Funny also-and a little pathetic
was the reaction that made itself felt
for a while. After an orgy of inCOn-
sistent Marktwainishness came the
learn from Europe craze, fostered by
our hunger for culture. partly. and
partly by undertaking run mad. Every
thing un-American looked excellent
We felt like a backyard nation. some
how doomed from our birth to a place
Of undignified and disagreeable infe-
riority. Our hope. IL hope we had. lay
In aping Europe. Whatever new be-
faddlement confronted US, in politics,
in education, In art or in morals. the
answer was always, They order these
things better abroad"
DO they. though? We begin to Ques-
tion IL. and not in any cTudely Mark
twainish spirit, either. We are SOL
emn, for once. 1t is no joke watching
an immemorial civilization cut its own
throat. Neither is it anything short OF
shuddersome to discover that America.
alone among nations. remains clothed
and in her right mind-strong, sane,
peaceful, generous and kind-at pres
ent the worlds best guardian of the
worlds best heritage.
We wanted first place. We struggled
for it-foOlishly, sometimes And now
we have got it. Nobody imagines we
have won it. 1t has come of itself. and
with II the most somber as well as the
most inspiring of responsibilities. 1t
means an end OF boasting: also an end
Of cringing. Especially it means an
end of all lightness OF purpose. This,
we believe, should be the underlying
idea in every American mind today.
Let US pray for Europe. and-albeit
silently-for America. - Philadelphia
Public Ledger.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
WHITE HOUSE DAILY ROUTINE.
TumuIty Says One Could Almost
Set His Watch by President.

In the December American Magazine
Raw Stanrard Baker. writing an ar
ticie entitled ''Wilson-After Twenty
Months presents a highly interestina
comparison OF Mr.. Wilson with Mr..
Roosevelt in the course OF which he
records in part as follows the dally MS
in the White House:
when Mr.. Roosevelt was in Washing
ton crowds of people always flocked TO
the White House to shake the President
hand-and take his time and energy
People now have just as free access tc
the White House as eveT-almost any
one can meet the President-out the
groups are small and quiet and pass
quickly in and out of the Presidents Of
fice One day I counted ten people go
ing in at the usual ho-r to pay respects
TO the President on another day four
teen. Roosevelt rarely had fewer than
twenty-five and often a great many
more.
'One OF Mr. Roosevelt's truly remark
able qualities was his command OF his
energies: his self-regulation. He could
bring his whole attention to bear in
stantly upon any subject; therefore. ne
was able to accomplish a great volume
of work. In this respect Mr. Wilson
is fully his equal
MIR Tumulty told me that one could
almost set his watch by Mr. Wilson =
inComings and outgoings- He has hrSBk-
fast at S O'Clock sharp. and during thu
summer. since Mrs. Wilson's death. has
usually breakfasted alone with Mr. Tum-
uIty and Dr. Grayson. He then goes at
his correspondence for an hour or So un-
til his appointments begin These ap-
pointments vary from five I" fifteen
minute intervals. rarely longer. and fol-
low each other like clOckwOrk until l
O'Clock, the luncheon hour. In the after
noon there are varied special appoint
ments and further attendance to cor
Grayson often has totahrdltataomat?h I'll
respondence. and an hour or so of golf,
or motoring, or tramping-which Dr.
Grayson often has to insist upon. This
program of course. is varied on Cabinet
days or to meet special engagements. but
upon the whole II is very regular"
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
Throwing the Chakri.

In front of the mausoleum of a holy
saint-Mohammed GhoUs-a fair is held
annually on the outskirts of Gwalior town
about the middle of the rainy season.
The most noticeable feature OF the fair
is the chakri throw. A chakri is a piece
OF iron something like a spindle. over
which a long piece of string or thread Is
rolled. The player throws high into ihe
air the iron chakri Qiterally. a rolD. hold
ing one end OF the string in his hand.
and gives 1t a swing and jerk in such a
clever manner that the chaSri. on coming
down. rolls up the thread again on itself,
and is caught In the hands of the thrOwer.
The art has been dexteTously practiced
by a class OF people for ages past, and
some members are so renowned that they
cut a good figure at the scene. 1t Is most
interesting to watch the thrower fling the
chakri up high. catch 1t in his hands on
return and continue sending it up again
and again till the rope becomes as high as
seventy feet above the ground. There is
absolutely no spring or lever attachment
in the chakri. Nabbo is the champion
thrower-The Strand.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
Fewer Hours of Labor.

Commenting on the decision of the convention
of the American Federation of Labor at Phadel-
hours of labor by legislation, Ernest Bohm secre-
tary of the Central Federated Union, says: "The
development of labor-saving machinery may re-
quire us to agitate for seven-hour a six-hour
work-day. With an eight-hour work-day on pri-
vate work established by law, the unions would be
hampered in their efforts to reduce the working
hours" Evidently there are labor leaders who are
work for more than eight hours day than they are
infatuated with the vision of a paradise where
higher wages than the ruling standard will some
day be paid for threequarters of the present work
ing day of eight hours. Do they ever stop to con-
slider how much the cost Of living will be increased
all around if they attain to this blissful state? How
much will labor-savng machinery have to be in
creased to keep up with the theory of eighteen
hours out of twentyfour "for rest and recreation "
New York World.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
The Situation as to Cabinet Officers.

The situation as to Cabinet officers is somewhat
different but even in this there is considerable
question as to the wisdom of allowing them seats
upon the floor of the House.
The only advantage to be gained by this innova-
ton is the opportunity afforded of securing direct
and immediate information. This advantage, how
ever, is more theoretical than real 1t disappears
entirely unless Cabinet officers to be accorded
the right of speech As it is now, they are sum-
moned before committees and their statements are
printed in the verbatim reports of the committee
hearings If other specific information is desired it
can be obtained through the medium of resolution
adopted by the House and this custom has proven
sufficient in the past. There is considerable force
in the suggestion that as the House is a body
composed of elected Representatives it has no
place for officers appointed by the executive. In
this, as in the case of the President, it may be
wise to preserve the legislative and the executive
| in their distinct positions.
1t is true that in England the members of the
ministry have seats in the Commons and the
House of Lords, but there is no analogy between
the English government and our own. In the
first place. every Cabinet officer in Great Britain
is taken from Parliament which is wise pro-
vision and in the second place the Prime Minister
and his Cabinet are the responsible governing
authorities. In this country Cabinet officers are
merely Presidential assistants to whom in
trusted the management of the details OF the
various departments. They have absolutely moth
ing to do with legislation with policies. They
have no Constitutional existence and are depen-
dent even for their salaries upon the pleasure OF
Congress. If in the United States, in England,
the fate of the government depended upon the
sayings and doings of Cabinet officers it would be
appropriate to allow them to participate in the
proceedings of the House. As this is not the case,
the suggestion made during the past week ought
not to be adopted. without serious consideration.
An Opportunity for Wise Statesmanship.
The fact is that no greater opportunity for wise
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29

No one need get excited over the statement of
David Lloyd George chancellor of the exchequer,
that the United States owes England $5,oooooo,-
600. He referred evidently to money which English
men have invested in the bonds and stocks of our
railroads and industrial enterprises They wouldn't
take their money back under present conditions il
they could get it. 1t is safer on this side of the
water and yields that is certain, even if
curtaed to some extent by the policy of this gov
ernment toward business Our actual debt to Eng
land, the ordinary balance of trade against US, has
been steadily decreasing since we began to supply
the unusual demands agricultural and manu-
factured products caused by the war which has
reversed the effect of the Underwood tariff War
orders multiplying and with the country selling
heavily and buying little, debt abroad is likely
to be wiped out before many months.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
When the Yeast Rose

Yes" said the ancient mariner, way
ing his long clay pipe in the air as he
sat in the inglenook of the Vampire Inn,
cit was the strangest Intervention o
Providence and natural law, as I've ever
experienced. Three days and nights on
end we had worked at the pumps, and
the ship was getting lower in the water
every hour. Then, We know not why, the
pumps became dry. No water came, work
as we might The crew stopped and
looked at each other aghast. But as for
the ship, she began to steady herself.
and then gradually rose in the water till
her water line was two feet above the
surface At last a gigantic wave came,
and she sailed on the top of il clear over
the reef and landed high up the sandy
beach. We were savedH'
He paused and then continued:
How 1t happened I've had a cargo of
yeast aboard, and when The water reach
ed II. il riz and riz. and" The rest was
lost in the applause Of the company as
sembled.-Tit-Bits-
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
THE OPEN FORUM.
"BaeksEder" Explains Why His Tribe
IA a Growing One.

Editor OF The Washington Herald,
Dear Sir: Have read with much inter-
est your editorial "Backsliding and It's
Cause" There Is an enormous aiding
out OF the churches, but there Is one cause
for this, which you did not mention, ana
that is, there Is a feeling OF great mag
nitude that there Is no such thing as
an eternal torment, a fire and orimstone
punishment such as has been In the
creeds since the Dark Ages early begin
ming. The idea that about 800 or more
out Of every 1.OoO go to such a chastise-
ment, when In most cases the persons
never heard Of Christ In the proper light,
or have been under the bondage Of he
redity and environment. and have been
wicked in spite of themselves-the idea
that such go to a torment Is beyond the
justice Of God. whose very throne
is founded on justice according TO the
Bible.
Now. the point is, a great number Of
the people know IT, The creeds remain
the same, however. even infants have
been going to HELP until recently. /
do not know what the Presbyterian
Church Is going to do about the millions
OF infants who went to ''helr' before
they changed their creed about a year
ago. Let the ministers come out and be
square; let them revise the creeds ac-
cording to the most recent light from
discoveries; let them preach the real
ransom Of the world accomplished by
Christ and stop so much Of the secular
preaching; let the mgive the. people who
are burdened q hope and a love for God
as he Is. and there will be more people
In the churches and less OF the inhdel-
ity that Is increasing. The people are
learning that the original Of the word
he'll does not mean what the creeds
say II does. / was raised very closely
in the Presbyterian Church. but leftsuch
doctrines several years ago because my
conscience would not let me believe
them. am a ''backslider.'' too. but I
have more appreciation of God and
Christ and a firmer hold on religion to-
day than ever before, but as you say.
l am out OF the church. All men who
leave the church roll nowadays are not
backsliders; they are getting to do more
thinking and believing on their own in
dividual selves. From the sermons of
such men as DR.. Jowett and many others
of this city and New York one Is led TO
believe there is a close connection be-
tween this terrible conflict in the world
today and the perveTseness OF Christian
ity. "BACKSLIDER."
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
An Immoral Motto.

Editor OF The Washington Herald:
The anonymous correspondent who. in a
recent issue OF The Herald, glories in
the motto (irst adopted, l believe. BY
Stephen Decatur. Our country. right or
wrong" does not seem to be aware that
the motto is essentially immoral The
only proper course for q country to take
when wrong is to set Itself right The
same with the Individual
A far better motto. adopted by many
famed men. such as Cicero. Seneca
Thomas Paine, w. Lloyd Garrison. etc,
is our country is the world, our cOun-
trymen all mankind"
, A great deal OF what passes for pa
triotlsm consists OF the merest bigotry,
national prejudices. national hatred, and
national selfishness, which Joined the
natural savagery OF man. lead to the
destruction OF all national brotherhood
and to such frightful strife as is now
going on in Europe.
The time is apprOa ching I hope. when
all nationality will disappear: our coun-
try will be the world. and the rule of
conduct between nations Will be the
same as between individuals National
sentiment is only a means to an end
and will disappear when that end shall
have been obtained. r. c. GALLUP.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
A Fifty.year-old Leg of Mutton.

The eighteen-year-old joint OF beer
in Leaden-HalI Market is a mere
STRIPPING to the leg of mutton report
ed not long ago from Bourne. in Lin
colnshire. Over half a century ago
visitor called at a butchers shop there
and purchased leg of mutton, saying
he would take ii away later. But the
customer never returned, ana year
after year the joint has awaited him.
until, hanging from one of the rafters
OF the quaint old shop. ii has become
one of the fixtures and has passed
with the business from one proprietor
to another. During the more than
fifty years of waiting for its purchaser
the leg has withered away and IS now
shrunk to the sembIance of a club OF
knotted wood.--London Chronicle.