davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1915-02-03
What the Administration
Knows About Business
(From. the Now York SUM .

AT the outset of his Administration,
in addressing Congress, President
Wilson told the party in power that
it must show its understanding Cf
business needs and how TO supply
them. ON recent occasions the Pre-
sident has changed his discourse from
CAhortation to assertion, as when IN
his Jackson day speech at lndianapo-
lis this month he said: "The Demo-
cratid party does know how to serve
BUSINESS in this country"
There Is no doubt that the President
is satisfied with the proofs of busi-
ness capacity and understanding
which his Administration and his
party have given while in control Of
the cOuntry's affairs. But how for
the comprehension of all men is this
proof set forth today?
is Democratic understanding Of the
needs of business and how to serve
them proved in the fatuous imbc-
Cility of one of the fundamental falla-
Cies ON which argument for the Ad-
ministration's bill TO create a Gov
ernment merchant marine is based2
Secretary McAdoo and Secretary Rcd
field. tho two putativc business men
of the Presidents Cabinet, say that
tho American exporter pays the
ocean freight carrying charge. Presi-
dent Wilson has said 1t too. Every
mar who really knows anything about
the Xport trade says that tho foreign
layer pays the ocean freight charge.
Probably because this is testimony
contrary TO the fantastic theories of
the Administration the business men
who give it are unworthy of belief.
Business men have been similarly
regarded by the Administration in
respect to their views of previous
items of the Wilsonian legislative
programme.
How about some of the business
matters of fresh recollection in which
the influence of Secretary McAdoo.
the evil genius of the Wilson Admin
istration. has been decisive? How
about the cotton loan fund fiasco ?
How about the Treasury's fOrcible
flooding of the South with emergency
currency in accordance with a pecu-
liarly McAdoodle notion that largo
emissions of paper money would Te-
lieve the paralysis of the cotton mar
ket? All the emergency currency put
cut through the New York banks has
been retired. but the Federal Reserve
Board has had to stand the structure
OF reserve bank discount rates on
lbs head in an effort to get in the
emergency circulation put out i'm the
Evening journal., 1915-02-03

From the point of view Of practical
results the wild talk in German
American circles about establishing a
nationwide pro-German organization
and going openly into politics does
not need TO be taken absolutely at
face value. A crusade by German
Americans (of the type General Won
Bernhardi had in mind when he call
ed them American-Germans and
counted them as one of Germany's
political and military assetsl TO COM
NIT this government TO changes in
its neutrality policy which would be
favorable 10 the Toutonic allies might
be very dangerous If il were craftily
conducted under cover. If political
intimidation were practised secretly
and party candidates and organiza-
tions we're threatened from behind a
mask following the methods so sue
cessfully employed by the founders
of the old Know-Nothing party some
nervous politicians might be terror
lied and stampeded.
But a conspiracy of this sort ober.
ated i'm the open becomes more or less
harmless. American common sense
would make short work of
political organization. with obvi
Gus alien connections. which
could not defend itself against IN.
charge OF subordinating the interests
Evening journal., 1915-02-03
THAT CANAL FISHING BILL.

n wuld be as sensible for the Delaware Legislature
i to throw wide open TO the guuners Of other
States the best hunting grounds in Delaware as #
would be for it 10 throw wide open to the anglers of
other States the best frcsh-water fishing grounds in
our commonwealth.
The bill now pending in the Legislature to make
the OF the Delaware end of the Chesapeake and
Delaware canal free TO nonresident anglers should
be ,.illod II is contrary TO public policy and mani
festy unfair to the hundreds Delaware anglers who
find pleasure i'm fishing there who soon would be de-
prvcd OF that pleasure if nonresident permitted
% doplote the stock of fish, and who would enjoy
reciprocal free fishing privileges in ncighborng
States after the waters of the canal had been hshed
out
Those who backing the free fishing bill it
would bring business Delaware City and ST. Georges
and enable certain persons there TO sell liquid and
solid ash-bait and other things to outside anglers upon
their arrival at tho canal
II might be urged with equal force that il Kent and
Sussex counties thrown wide open TO non-resi-
dent gunnors, Il would make business for ammunition
sellers hotel keepers liyerymen and garage keepers
in Smyrna. Dover Milford Georgetown Lewes, Laurel
Soaford. Dclmar and Sclbyyillo.
or someone interested in the business interests OF
Lcpsic Little Creek and other towns and villages on
the Delaware might come forward with a plea that
the natural oyster beds Of the state be thrown wide
open non-rosdents and hshed the limit in order
that certain in those baysde towns might get the
benefit of the trade of such transients
It would be the height OF folly our Legislature
TO destroy. impair, the pleasure of hundreds
Of Delaware anglers for the sake of permitting hand
ful OF in Red Lion any other hundred to reap
from unlicensed anglers from other States the money
they might spend for almentary refreshmont and other
/ things. but chiefly for alimentary refreshment.
The origin Of the pending bill which aims such a
blow at Delaware anglers is no secret II has little
underlying except selfish desire the part Of Ger
to destroy the best fresh-water fishing grount
in New Castle county that they may pocket the none,
OF the unlicensed non-residents who carry out tn,
work OF destruction It is measure that ought to b
killed with scant ceremony
Evening journal., 1915-02-03
JANITORIAL INFLUENCE ONCE MORE.

THURTHER nagrant evidence of the light regard
tho Baynard-Cooper clique in the Wilmington
Board of Education has for public opinion is found
in the fact that James II. Mitchell who only a few
weeks ago under fire because Of the way in
which he performed his duties ianitor Of Public
School No 4. has had his janitorial duties extended
that they include Public School No. 3. Incl
donally his salary has been increased that it now
amounts to $3.50, within $50 year Of the amount
that is paid to grammar school principals who have
charge of two schools and than the salaries
paid to principals who have charge Of one
school.
This much-favored janitor who has absorbed two
mems jobs in the face of the fact that there
thousands of men out of work in Wilmington, lives
in the home OF DR. Thomas o. Cooper member of.
the Board of Education and the dominating mem
bcr Of the High School Committee of that much-ds
cussod and exceedingly unpopular official body The
understanding is that Mitchell his good fortune
TO the friendly interest Of DR.. Cooper and the High
School ianitor who figured largely in the white
washed basement episode at the High School last
June.
Quite naturally this doubling up of jobs for the
sake Of DR.. Coopers janitorial friend has given rise
much unfavorable comment especially in view OF
the fact that Dr. Cooper is a Democratic politician
and hundreds of his constituents in this city have been
out of work for weeks and most of them would have
been well-pleased to have had school ianitorshlp
to tide them period of economic stress. Such
consideration not extended, however, TO any one
of them When i'll health compelled the ianitor of No
School to resign the strings Immediately we're pulled
TO give double job to the ianitor who lives in DR.,
Coopers home, and to boost his salary TO within $50
of the salary paid two-sohoo public school prin-
! cipa
We think the situation will lead Wimingtonans to
reach four conclusions follows:
Frst-Tha the Board of Education has little re-
gard for the thousands Of men, Democrats and Repub
licans who out OF work
second-That the janitorial influence atill is para
mount in the Board of Education
Third-That the salary paid TO public school prin
cipal is too low, the one paid to public school
ianitor Is too high-prcforaby the former.
Fourth-That il pays for janitor TO make his home
in the hore of a member Of the Board of Education.
Evening journal., 1915-02-03

interest Of good morals, to protect children and to
guard property rights The State ought to one step
farther and either take away from the clergy the right
TO perform the rite OF marriage altogether or make
them civil officers OF the State and pay them fee for
performing marriages. and let that fee be only suf
cient to remunerate them for their clerical services
officers OF the law And II should be made mis-
demeanor for them accept any other compensation
The State has right to require the minister TO fill
out marriage blanks and return them to the proper
officer without paying for the service rendered As
cense the minister performing marriage should be
paid the one as much the other and more. And
tho fee should be regulated by law.
Then all the temptation would be removed from
weak in the ministry men Of low moral ideals,
who love filthy lucre, men who disgrace the
church by their love OF gain and wOrdlings TO
at the leaders of the church.
We sincerely hope and pray that the bill presented
to modify our present law will be defeated.
Yours respectfully,
E. l.. HOFFECKER
Wilmington Del, Feb g. 1915
Most Dolawareans will think that letter breathes the
right spirit although many may not be willing TO ac-
cop the specific suggestions contained therein
The milk IN the cocoanut is that Wilmington is we'll
rid of tho marriage mill and that the Legislature
should nothing looking its re-estabshment here
10 is bad enough for the Delmarvia Peninsula TO be
compelled to submit to tho disgrace Of such insti-
tuition at Hlkton, which is only few miles from our
city. and which is suffering daily through the money
grubbing operations Of preachers who seem to have
higher regard for the almighty dollar than for the
sacred estate of matrimony.
Evening journal., 1915-02-03
WEDNESDAY FEB. 3. 1915
TINT DEMOCRATIC REVOLT

WKy ITH displays of consummate parliamentary skill
w and sof-sacrfcng and troless energy, the Re-
publican hbustor against President Wilson's danger
and unpopular Ship Purchase bill continues in the
United States Senate Strenuous efforts being
made by the administration forees 10 drive the bill
through in the face of the fighting minority They not
only have failed thus far. but there have been breaks
Of most serious nature in the Democratic lines. The
revolt may spread Notwithstanding the White House
whips and the party caucus managers are hard at
,ndeavoring TO drive the recacitrans back into
line and TO prevent Democratic revcts in new
quarters at all certain that the concessions
that being offered by the administration will end
tho Democratic revolt, many persons think tho bill
bad in an economic sense it is in diplomatic
sense.
When nine Democrats vote with the Republicans to
send one of the pet measures Of a Democratic Pros-
dent back committee, the situation cannot fail to
assume exceedingly serious front TO that President
and his partisans When the leader Of that revolt is
senator Clarke of Arkansas, President pro tenn of the
Senate. and when the Democratic Vco-Prosdent is
oycrrulcd by coalition OF 81 Republicans and nine
Democrats it becomes all the more staggering to the
administration forces
Every day adds to tho public protest against
the ship Purchase bill From all sections of the
try words Of praise for those Senators who arc
sparing effort to defeat It. vast majority OF the
American People looks upon the measure unsound
economically and dangerous automatically. Ameri-
wish the United States TO remain neutral with
TO tho in Europe They look upon the Prosi-
dents Ship Purchase bill troube-making piece
proposed legislation With heart and soul they
behind those Senators who working early and late
10 defeat II and who hopeful Of accomplishing their
end, Notwithstanding the national administration Is
Democratic and the Democrats have a majority in the
Senate.
Had it not been for White House interference in
and pressure upon Legislative matters the bill either
never would have been presented it would have died
IN committee on tho floor long ago. It's vitality
directly from the President and is sustained by
Democratic Senators who have become subsoryiont
TO White House innuonco that they sec no humiliation
in permitting The President to DO their thinking for
them an important questions Fortunately for the
nation there is a Republican minority in the Senate
that VIII not permit President Wilson 20 its
judgment and tho developments OF the last two days
show that there Democratic Senators who feel
that they have minds Of their and who are not
70 using them when the interests OF the nation
at stake in a controversy.
Evening journal., 1915-02-03
Ship Monopoly Advocates
Cannon Make Their Arguments Fit
From the New York Trlbunel.

imposed on the American producer
With commodities to export. Yet the
war has put up prices of commodi-
ties as well as freight rates on them.
The seller here is not paying the
freight. The buyer abroad. who has
TO have supplies and cant get them
except from the United States, has
to pay the cost of delivering them.
He has no choice. With wheat SELL
ing at Si.50 a bushel here It is al
surd to say that the American farmer
is being plundered by the ocean
freight carrier. Were conditions in
the ocean trade more normal or were
Europe's supplies not cut short by
the war, the American exporter
would have to take much less for his
commodities (cotton excepted) than
he is getting now. The emergency
has created sellers opportunity
here in spite of the fact that II has
also raised ocean freight rates
A government ship monopoly. II
established at once, would have to be
established at an excessive cost. II
might maintain itself by charging
inst as high rates as the existing car
riers do. In that case the alleged
freight charge burden on the Ameri-
can farmer would not be lifted. And
after the emergency had passed the
government would be left with an
oXtravagant investment on its hands.
The advocates of the administra-
tion bill are unwilling TO say what
they would do in that event. Would
they sell out at a so per cent loss
or try to maintain government ship
ping monopoly on a peace basis?
Arguments for an emergency service
do not iibe with arguments for a
permanent service. Yet the shipping
bills friends continue to mix them
because they do not really know
which sort of a service the Fletcher
bill has in view.
President Wilson has also added a
touch of irony to the Democratic situ-
alton by obiecting TO the literacy test
OF the immigration bill because such
a discrimination was never favored
in the platforms of the great parties.
He demanded a specific appeal to the
sentiment of the country on that
point But government ownership OF
ocean freight lines was never dreamed
of by the trainers of either Demo-
cratic or Republican platforms. APP
plying Mr.. Wilson's own test there IS
no popular mandate for it. On the
contrary il is his will alone which
forced this half baked project through
/ Tic House and which now lines up
! a reluctant Senate majority behind IT..
Evening journal., 1915-02-03

The Democratic Senators had A
hard time agreeing on the details of
the government ship purchase bill.
But they are having still harder
time agreeing on arguments with
which TO meet attacks on IL. In the
Senate the other day Mr.. Simmons
announced in reply to Mr.. Roots
warnings that the government had
no intention of purchasing interned
ships belonging to any of the powers
now at war. But If we, arc not TO
buy the idle German steamers now
laid up in our ports, and Great Britain
and France decline to sell us ships
hich might be used in trade with
the Teutonic allies, where are we to
get vessels? Italy doesn't want TO
part with hers. and ocean carrying
charges are now so high that the
owners OF other neutral shipping
would hardly be inclined to part with
it except al a cost which would put
the United States at a vast disadvan-
tago in setting up government own
cd transportation industry.
Yet right on the heels of Mr.. Sim
mons statement that the govern
mcnt would buy no interned ships
(the only Onos whose owners would
save money by selling Mr.. Walsh
treated the Senate to an elaborate
argument intended to prove that
Great Britain was bound by British
precodents (were the Declaration of
London ignored) to permit our taking
over any available German liners. At
the most, he said. the validity Of
such purchases would have to be
tested in the British prize courts.
Then. If the decision there went
against us we could make diplo-
matte protest and have the issue re-
ferred, under our arbitration treaty
with Great Britain, to an arbitration
beard.
II would take at least two OF
three years to get to the end Of that
litigation. If the service which gov
ernment ownership is to render is an
emergency servico-as most Of the
supporters of the scheme say that
Il is-the crisis in ocean transporta-
tion would be over long before the
validity Of our purchases of interned
vessels had been finally passed upon
The trouble with the advocates OF
the administration bill is that they
cannot decide whether they are deal.
ing with an emergency or with q
continuing situation. Secretary Nc
Adoo has worked himself into a state
OF mind over tho enormous increase
in ocean freight rates and says that
those rates arc burden artificialiy
Evening journal., 1915-02-03
sCoTcH THE MARRIAGE MILL SCHEME.

rTHhROuGH the influence OF Governor Miller Senator
Il Gormley and others, the Wilmington marriage
mill put Of business by the Gormley Marriage
Law of 1913 The Introduction Of a certain bill in Do
For this session shows that scheme is on foot to
Duiiy the best feature Of that Gormlcy and there
by permit of tho re-ostablishmcnt here of tho dis
graceful conditions that existed before Governor Mil
er Senator Gormloy and their associates acted is
understood that this proposed piece OF marriage mill
legislation has certain preachers behind it, one of
whom figured notorously a grinder Of matrimonial
gist in the mill that was wrecked by tho Gormloy law
BE that IL the bill IS one that should he
disposed Of summarily by the Legislature It never
should be given tho of getting to the executive
chamber.
The Rev. Dr. D. I. Honeckor is Superintendent Of
the Wilmington District OF the Wilmington NJ r. Con-
ference His territory extends from the PENNSYLVANIA
State line the north the Chesapeake and Della
canal ON the south; and from the Delaware river
on the east TO The Susquohanna river ON the west
Fifyhroe pastoral charges are embraced in his dis
trct, including those within the zone of the nialo-
dorous marriage mill in Elkton. What Dr. Horeckol
thinks Of the bill in Dover and the men who are
behind t may be seen by the following letter. which
received this morning.
To the Editor OF THE EVENING JOURNAL:
Sir-A bill was offered in the House of Representa-
tives In Dover Monday the purpose of which is {,
modify our present marriage law by reducing th
hours from ninety-six TO six the required time
The issuance OF a license before legal marriage ma
take place. i has been reported that ministers ar
Interested in this modification of law. trust IN
report is not true Il is hard TO believe that mniso
OF Jesus Christ would seek coin his calling into cas
and for money pronounce the blessing of the churc
upon marriages which as the sequel proves in man
Bases nothing less than legalzed concubnage. On
courts choked with divorce suits at almost ever
.erm and actions for non-support. seems incredi
bic that preachers Of the Gospel should be lackin
IN sef-respect and forgetful of the propreties
their sacred calling and their dignity and homo
to be willing to perform the rite OF marriage
money consideration
The Slate holds that marriage is civil conrac
and therefore requires license This is done in th
Evening journal., 1915-02-03

Unprecedented prosperity would
result in the United States if the pre-
sent administration would adopt the
broad and constructive methods
which have been used by foreign ma
tions TO offset stagnatiOn resulting
from the war.
strongest, wealthiest, and most re-
souceful nation now at peace. with
half the world at war, with millions
Of the producers Of Europe no longer
producing, the United States should
be reaping the full benefit of its own
productivity.
Yet. with the holders Of British
railway stock looking forward to
handsome dividends, the American
railroads are passing dividends or
like the Pennsylvania system, making
enormous bond issues, in order 10
keep the engines and freight cars
moving.
The railroads. the banks. and big
business corporations, despite all
legislative restrictions and harassing
Investigations and the general lack
OF government sympathy or assist
ance, have done their share to meet
the situation created by the European
war. They have borrowed money for
maintenance and improvements. and
have shown their faith in the future.
Nevertheless, with the United States
at peace, they are told that the rea-
son they are without profits is be-
cause Europe is al war. Word comes
from London that the English rail-
roads arc carrying more freight than
at any time in their history that all
the roads are cOngcsted; that freight
rates are high. and that the profits Of
the roads are enormous. AS a re-
suit. handsome dividends will be paid
to those who invested their money
in railroad securities, thus giving
tho government transportation faci-
lities i'm times of war.
It is admitted throughout Europe
that the American railroads are the
hest and most completely managed in
the world. There has never been any
question of this. Passenger rates, It
is true. are higher in many instances
than the rates that prevail In Euro
pean countries. but the freight rates
are abnOrmally lower. Railroads in
variably depend largely upon freight
for their profits, but the roads in
America are compelled to keep their
freight rates much lower than in
Europe
The loans that are being made by
tho nations 1t war staggor the ina
gination. II was thought that Ger
many would have difficulty in getting
money, but that nation has found ii