davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22

when typhus was endemic In Ireland $50
of 1890 physicians attached to hospitals
and institutions died of 1t in the space Of
quarter of century.
And this is but one of the problems
that face the commission. The lack
of anything approaching adequate means
of dealing with the difficulties some
what weakens the assurance that the
Servian government is prepared TO offer
its fullest cooperation. The authorities
are doubtless willing to do their very
best TO relieve the dreadful distress, but
considering the means at their disposal, it
is stupendous task that confronts the
American commission.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
Modified Frightfulness.

An enlightening summary OF the re-
suits achieved by the so-called submarine
blockade of the British coasts has been
made public by the Admiralty. In a
single week the enemy succeeded IN SINK
inp eight British vessels. At first thought
destruction at the rate of more than one
vessel a day may seem sufficiently dis
ouieting, yet when 1t is considered that
the number of arrivals and sailings re-
corded at British ports during the week
amounted to 1889, it is manifest that to
talk of blockade is, as Mr.. Asquith OBJ
served at the outset of the experiment, "a
grotesque and puerile perversion Of Ian
guage."
Nor are the total results of Germany's
warfare on British commerce in any way
encouraging. The losses from the begin
ming of the war to March II come TO l43,
of which ninety-six were merchantmen
and the rest fishing vessels. Germany
counted largely on commerce destruction
in the early days of the war, and for a
while at least the performance, and still
more the promise, of the navy tended to
encourage the populace. Belief in the ef-
ficacy of this kind of warfare as primary
aim is, however, as Mahan and all other
naval authorities have frequently pointed
out. q dangerous delusion, nor is 1t likely
that the naval men of Germany were for
2 moment deceived, notwithstanding the
brave promises of Admiral Won Tirpitz.
I There may be some simple people who
still fancy that in the long run attacks OF
this sort will tell, but, seeing that the rate
of destruction is so far considerably less
than what England endured even in the
year following Trafalgar, it is plain that
she is confronted with very attenuated
form of Schrecklichkeit.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
The Commission to Servia.

Much may be expected of what Surgeon
General Gorgas describes as "the most
remarkable sanitary commission ever sent
from any country" bat it is an appalling
state of affairs that the doctors appointed
by the Rockefeller Institute and the Ameri-
can Red Cross are obliged to face in Ser
via. The conditions recently reported by
various American and British visitors in
those parts are almost incredibly horrible.
Under the best Of circumstances Servia
was never noted for perfection of hygiene.
1t is an agricultural state, and the
peasants, for the most part, have but a
primitive conception of personal cleanli-
ness. Moreover, the Balkan War left the
people in a state from which they had
not time enough to recover completely
Nor have they been able to proceed with
the work so well begun in the way of es-
tablishing modern hospitals, and even in
some of the larger towns the provisions
for the sick are little better than they we're
half a century ago.
The shocking account given by the
Commission of the British Red Cross
seems to be typical of the misery prevail
ing throughout the country. Typhus fever
which is epidemic there, is the gravest
menace at the moment, but in tour of
the more populous towns the representa-
tives of the Rockefeller War Relief Com
mittee learned that enteric fever cholera.
smallpox, diphtheria and scarlet fever are
all more or less epidemic already. The NOR
tality from typhus has been terrible, as,
it usually is in outbreaks of this
kind. We are apt to forget, since 1t has
disappeared before improved
sanitation. how fatal disease 1t IS. Ac-
cording TO the latest reports, no less than
60 out of 400 native doctors have already
succumbed to it, and it is estimated that
the total number of deaths amounts by
now to more than 10000 of the popula-
ton. II may be recalled, by the way, that
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
A German Stronghold Crumblinr

From The Edinburgh Scotsman.
Helgoland is at present very much in the
public eye, and a map Of II now in the pos
session of the Geological Society of London
cannot fail to prove interesting. The orig
nal, said to have been copied from an old
map once in the possession Of former gov
ernor of the island, is on a scale of four
miles 10 an inch. 1t depicts the area of Hell
goland at three different periods OF its his
tory, viz: In 500 A. D., when it was 100 miles
in circumference; in 1900. when forty-tve
miles round. and in 1G49, when il covered
an area of only four square miles. Since
the last date il has diminished still further
until to-day il covers less than one-third OF
mile in superficial extent The rapidly
with which the island formerly disappeared
is quite remarkable, an area of something
ike 500 square miles having been removed
in about 500 years. But AS time went on the
process became slower, and in the next $50
years we find that only about one hundred
miles were blotted out. Although in Helgo-
land itself there are still traditions that
large portions were suddenly removed by in
cursions of the sea. il is more likely that the
erosion has been comparatively constant and
gradual. The denudaton has taken place
from one direction only. viz. from the north
eastern side Thirty miles from that side
have been encroached upon, while only one
mile has disappeared from the southwestern
side. This is probably owing to the south
westerly set Of the current and TO the harder
rocks which form that part OF the island that
still remains. II is not altogether impossible
that British shells may yet complete what
The devastating North Sea currents have 50
diSastrously begun.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
FOR MORAL SUASION
Sometimes the Only Method of Obtaining
Advertising Reform.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In Mr.. Samuel Hopkins Adamss arti-
Gle in Tuesdays Tribune appealing for the
enforcement of the fraudulent advertising law
the Fifth Avenue Association was taken TO
task for not making use of the courts in its
campaign TO eliminate undesirable advertls-
ing and other mercantile practices. SO far
rs | am aware, it is not the policy Of the
stores referred to in Mr.. Adams's article to
advertise at all. | am constantly watching
Fifth Avenue advertising, but J cannot recall
ever seeing them advertise.
The Fifth Avenue Association is thorough
.lv in sympathy with the general principles
for which our good friend Mr.. Adams Is con
tending, but we wish he had called US up on
the telephone before chiding US, as we should
regret to be misunderstood by the public
The present law is imperfect, as Mr.. Adams
states. It applies only TO statements made
i"in a newspaper, circular or form letter
or other publication published in this
state" In my opinion, it does not apply 70
billboards, window signs, announcements on
counters etc. but only TO publications IN
the generally accepted meaning of the word
Some of the most Objectionable practices
the Fifth Avenue Association has to deal
with take the form of statements on signs
Of this character. The law ls also limited
in other ways. For this reason, as counsel
to the Fifth Avenue Association have draft
ed a law which is in a large measure the same
as the printers Ink model statute, quoted
by Mr.. Adams in his article, but which we
have endeavored to make technically stronger
m several respects
This draft has already been sent 20 Albany
with request for its Simultaneous introduc
ton in Senate and Assembly. 1t has also
been indorscd by the committee on iegls-
lation of the 29th Assembly District Repub-
ican Club, and we feel sure it should secure
The approval of the Harlem Board of Com
.merce. the Advertising Mems League Of New
York the Merchants Association and other
bodies.
Mr. Adams and The Tribune have accom-
p.shed much good by means of publicity
The Fifth Avenue Association is also getting
results through various methods, one OF
them the moral suasiOn" method, which Mr.
Adams terms a somewhat snGmic style OF
reform. Instead of finding it anamic we have
found il a most useful weapon, for by means
Of it in at least four specific instances We
secured results which would have been eX-
tremely difficult and tedious, if not in three
of the cases impossible, TO secure through
the courts Much as we believe in the
strengthening and the enforcement of the
law with regard to fraudulent advertising,
there will probably continue to be unfair and
dishonest trade practices which are on or
over the border line Of the penal law and
where moral suasion" is more effective than
any other means.
BRUCE VI. FALCONER.
New York, March l6, 1915
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
Allies Hamper Crea, Britain.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: On Sunday last a letter appeared in
your columns dealing with the necessity Of
stronger armaments for this country and in
stsncing as a parallel case that Of Great
Britain, which country. it was inferred. would
have been powerless had she not by the ac
ton of her allies been given time to organ
ize, equip and drill an army. ! do not pro
pose to argue for or against stronger arma
ments for the United States. do, how
,yer. take issue with the conclusions youl
correspondent draws from the unprepared
ness OF England for a land campaign.
maintain that had Germany unaided
declared war on Great Britain unaided
the latter country would have had an inf
nitely easier task than now confrOnts her
The primary functions Of navy are five
fold:
/. To destroy the enemy's overseas trade.
.. To prevent overseas transportation OF
enemys troops.
3. To protect the overseas trade OF the
country 10 which it belongs.
4. To guard overseas transportation OF
troops.
;. To assist where possible any necessary
shore operations.
Il can hardly be denied that ali thes-
functions have been admirably performed by
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
Favors Lockwood -Ellenbogen Bill.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Lockwood -EllenbOgen bill is, IN
my Judgment, a neritorlous bill. It's aim Is
efficiency and economy, to which this admin
istration is pledged. 1t propose: to place
under the Bureau Of Buildings, where they
properly belong, all laws and ordinances re-
lating TO the construction and alteration OF
buildings, instead Of having them scattered
over some eight different departments, city
and state with their contradictory orders and
duplication of inspection.
It is the very essence of home rule. Il
emanates not from Albany. but from the City
Of New York. It is the result of the deliber-
ations in conference of delegates from sixty
Of the leading civic associations, represent
ing every section Of the five boroughs. Il
has the approval of the five borough presi-
dents, who understand public sentiment in
their respective boroughs. 1t is expressive
of the enlightened public sentiment Of tha
citizenship of the entire city.
Its passage will encourage building, give
employment to thousands now unemployed
increase taxable values and be Of lasting
benefit to the City of New York.
ALBERT +. DAVIS,
President. Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
New York. March Is, 1915
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
A Protectorate Over Mexico.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The time has come when the admin
istraton at Washington must face facts
squarely in Mexico.
We must, as in Cuba and in the Philip
pines, establish a protectorate over the south
crn republic.
Life and liberty in Mexico will never have
the absolute security Of day unless some
strong, unselfsh power takes from the in
competent hands of the Mexican people the
rCns of government and holds them unit
such time that power is convinced thai
Mexico can govern herself
And since we cannot by all our political
traditions, ethics and customs permit for
eign power to intervene in Mexico, and since
no republic in South America has shown any
desire TO undertake the task. the duty Of re-
storing peace in Mexico rests fairly and
squarey on the shoulders of the United
States. We owe it to the world we owe it to
Mexico. we owe it to ourselves, not to let
these conditions continue
Sooner or later we shall be compelled 20
intervene. Why not now? The sacrifice
whatever it may be, must be made now, il
we are TO avoid far greater sacrifice in the
future. HAROLD F0GEL.
p New York, March l6, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
Build and Stop Unemployment.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: "Ovcr 100000 unemployed in this
city and more than 20 per cent of the build
ing trades idle" is some of the information
The Tribune gives its readers to-day.
Considering the murderous congestion Of
population, the city suffers from the exorb-
tant rents the wage earners are compelled
TO pay for the privilege of living in disease
breeding tenements, where thousands every
year contract tuberculosis and other deadly
diseases; with two-thrds Of the area of the
greater city yet unbuilt; with rents and land
values constantly rising, don't you think il
q reflection on the humanity as we'll as the
intelligence OF our public officials not to
undertake measures that will encourage
building BY untaXing houses and raise the
tax on land so as to discourage the specula
tors from holding il out of use?
There certainly is work enough to be done
In this city to furnish its citizens with sani-
tary. freproof dwellings TO live in to keep
re building trades steadily employed; and il
the present administration will not move in
the matter why not advocate the election of
Cfficials who will meet the greatest need Of
this city decent homes and lower rents for
the people and work for the unemployed?
ALEXANDER LAW,
Secretary Tenants Union
New York, March Is. 1915
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
Christian Science Deaths

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir Mr.. Robert Ross should be asked:
"How can Christian Scientists report cases
Of contagious disease when no medical man
d. called TO diagnose disease? Is it a matter
Of Divine revelation, the nature Of said
disease"
And. further, will Mr.. Ross amplfy his
statements, "as to deaths in given time un-
der medical treatment being LIS and deaths
under Christian Science treatment being 20"
because one would be led TO think by this
trI.v ingenious statement that the medical
profession had taken a protracted vacation
when really | fancy, under this Christian
Science regime they also were at the old
stand doing business and possibly using that
remarkable remedy, antitoxin, to reduce the
said mortality. NJ II. NJ.
Passaic " j., March II, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
CITY BANKRUPTCY TALK
Not Silly but Borne Out by Facts end
Valuations.

r. the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: "Cty bankruptcy talk is silly" This
is alleged by the newspapers of March t.
1915, to have been said by Mayor Mitchell
to Dr.. J. F. Mclaughlin, Of The Bronx,
who appeared before him in opposition to the
establishment Of civic centre at 171th
Stret. after he used the following language:
"The present s no time for putting up
costly buildings. There are burdens enough
on real estate Taxation is going up BY
bounds and leaps and The city is nearly bank
rupt"
Whether the talk was silly or not, the pro-
testing gentleman seems to have very good
reason for the warning he gave the public
officials as to what might be the result Of
their continued extravagances.
HIS statement seems 10 be sustained by one
Of the best authorities on the city's finances
Controller Prcndergast, who stated on Feb
ruary 8, 1915, that the "cty's financial state
is serious" and further that "the yearly out
ley is increasing, while real estate. the great
revenue producer, is much depressed because
of the burdens placed upon 1t, and that
Gothams debt is bigger than that Of the ma
tion, and that according to report just pub
ishcd the net debt Of the United States gov
crnmcnt is Sl,l15,OOO,OOO, or difference
against the city Of sl92,0OOOOO."
II appears from a printed statement that
the city's debt in 1899 was 1859 ,62O ,9S6. and
the budget for the same year was $93,520,0S2,
while the city's debt in 1915 was Sl,30702O,-
221 and the budget for the same year was
s19s s989.7S6. These figures show an increase
in the city debt in sixteen years of $947399,-
)lE and gv of hudOpt the
same period Of sos 5.A69 7O4. The increase of
he city debt over 1914 was S821l6.59O and in
the budget it was s5,994,235. and the City
Chamberlain states that this is the most ex-
pensiyely governed city in the world.
The assessment roll of 1915 shows a total
real estate valuation Of Ss,lOS, ,764,2 ,237. Real
O. tate in New York City is supposed by law
to be assessed at it's full and true value
This value is certainly understood to mean
it, cash value. but as the bulk of real estate
in New York City is heavily mortgaged and
an inducemont to the purchaser Of from 60
to so per cent on bond and mortgage is Of
iered il naturally brings a much higher
price than if all cash were exacted. How
ever, the daily sales Of real estate show that
many of the parcels offered at public auction
are sold for less than what they were mort
gGged for and their assessed valuation by the
city.
believe that :he bankruptcy talk" is not
silly. but is good common sense, and that if
IN the real estate OF the city. that is as
,ossed al d valuation Of SS.1OS. .164.237, were
advertised and put up al public auction it
would not bring half the amount in cash at
which the city assesses it,
JOHN 7. NAGLE
New York, March 10, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
The Only Chip Carrier in the Frye
Case,

Mr.. Herman Ridder says that The Trib-
une misunderstood his attitude in the Frye
case when it criticised him for intlmatlng
that the captain Of the Prinz Eitel Fried
rich had not violated international law at
the expense Of American commerce and
for citing the Wilhelmina case as JuStl-
fcation for Captain Thierichens's action.
1t seemed to US that the editor OF the
"Staats- s-Zeitung" had drifted very far
from a sound American point Of view (and
from a sound German point of view, for
that matter) in giving even quasi-approval
to the theory that the wheat cargo when
the Frye carried was contraband-so
clearly contraband as to impose the pen
atty Of destruction on the carrier. The
German government disputes that theory.
Our own government disputes it. Why
then give the benefit of the doubt to the
German captain, whose only excuse for his
blunder is that he didn't know and
couldn't know what position the authorl-
ties in Berlin had taken? Why rush TO the
defence Of an act prejudieial to US, and
even more prejudicial to Germany's inter
pretation of neutral rights?
Says Mr. Ridder: "lf The Tribune
wants to go to war with Germany over ii
1.-THE Frye easel, The Tribune can go right
ahead-and to war. | want none of it. ~
| The United States cannot well go to war
with Germany over the Frye case because
the publicly announced views Of the two
governments, so far as this case is con
cerned, are entirely in accord. The only
.belligerent in sight arrayed against either
or Doth, in this matter is Mr.. Ridder. Ever
Captain Thierichens will probably be will
ing to admit that he gave the United
States the worst Of it when he hears from
Berlin.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22
A Spend.hrift Administration.

- Mr.. Fitzgerald, the chairman of the Ap-
propriations Committee Of the House of
Representatives, and Mr.. Simmons, the
chairman OF the Appropriations Com
nittee of the Senate, both concede that
there will be a good-sized Treasury deficit
Cor the year ending June 80 next. They
do not agree exactly as to the total. Mr..
fitzgerald in his speech in the House on
March 4 said that there would probably
be a deficit of S1O3,OOO,OOO, "less the bulk
of the income tax" which comes due on
June /. Mr.. Simmons, estimating the ac-
cruing income tax at $76,O00,0OO, says
that the shortage will be about $26,00O,OOO.
It will probably exceed S30,000,0O0. On
March 10 the excess of ordinary expendi-
lures over ordinary revenues was $685.
600. Compared with last year, the Treas
ury has been running behind at the rate Of
about S7.O0O,00O a month. The deficit at
that rate would be increased by June 80 to
about $4,000, 900. less the expected in
come tax Of S7G,OOO,O ,OOO-making S34,-
100000.
Last year there was final surplus of
s33. 1884, 900, so that in spite of two
months extra return from the income tax
and the imposition of emergency revenue
taxation to the amount of S54,O00,000 up
TO June 80 next, the Wilson administra-
tion will have set the Treasury back in one
wear more than S67,OOO,OOO. The outlook
for the year 1876 is still worse, since
Congress has appropriated as much for
next year as it did for this year, absolutely
ignoring the effect of the war on customs
receipts. The emergency revenue tax law
expires by limitation next December. II
will therefore yield about $10,0OOOOO less
in 1876 than it did in 1914-'16, and in
May, 1916, sugar goes on the free list and
sugar revenues viii be decreased by sew
eral millions. At the next session, there
fore, Congress must either clap on new
taxation or we shall face a deficit in
1876 OF more than $50,O00,000.
ANY government with a thought of pru-
dent management would have shortened
sail in a great economic crisis like that
which the European war has precipitated
1t would have held down expenditure till
the situation had cleared. But the Demo
cratic majority in the legislative branch
so subservicnt to Mr.. Wilson in most
things, never even received a hint from
him that retrcnchment ought to be prac-
tised lie made no protest when this Con
gress appropriated Sl13,00O,00O more than
the preceding Congress did and $l7700O,-
900 more than did the Congress OF
l9O9Il1, which was controlled by the Re
publicans. More than that, as Mr.. Fitz
gerald has pointed out, he submitted esti
mates which, if honored, would have in
creased the appropriations Of the last ses
sion by S47,841 900.
In one field of executive activity Mr.
Wilson has broken all records. He is tht
n most cheerful dispenser Of the proceeds o
y taxation we have ever had in the Whit,
House.
New-York tribune., 1915-03-22

Mr.. Mark S. Watson, the capable and
genial publicity director at the San Diego
Fair, betrayed me. We were in an orange
grove and he showed me tree that was
growing grapefruit and oranges at the
same time. | sampled few Of each, and
suggested that if Luther Burbank did that
his next effort should be 10 graft finger
bowl bush on the same tree. A feeble jape'
| thought, and forgot it. Next day Ad-
miral Dewa was at San Diego, and the
day after all the papers carried the story
of the Admiral's witty remark about the
finger-bowl bush. Well, let him have II
this time. But only this time. Great wars
have been started for less.
+. P. A.