davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
HELPING THE RAILROADS.
Some Suggestions by an Observer Of
Archaic Methods OF Operation.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--Sir: 1t
seems unfortunate that all the people
in the United States who know how
to run railroads are busy with other
work. Consequently lefthanded inept-
ness is the rule In railroad operation,
in affairs large and small For exam
pie, there were expensive lawyers quot
ing the Constitution and other out of
date devices and formulas down at
Taunton In opposition to that towns
demand for elevated tracks, which
would cost some $4,000. 900. Genuine
managing ability would simply take the
SO, 100000 and buy Taunton and move
II OFF the line
Presumably lawyers will get up ex-
pensive fights against that proposed
Pennsylvania law compelling the use OF
automatic bell ringers on locomotives,
when such attachment ought to be well
cOmed as means of stopping the
great drift of engineers to the farm.
IL would help ~ keer up the scanty
supply Of trainmen. Other devices
ought to he superadded. numbers OF
them. For example, there should be
Photographic station announcers and
automatic door openers on every pas
senger train 80 that the tired brake
man could be relieved OF standing up
at every station. There should be an
electric motor attached to every throttle,
also to the reverse lever. especially on
the New Haven, so that shutting her
of and throwing her over" would
not be such soul daunting task as II
Is, leading to running past danger sig
mails and mixing up passengers apd
rolling stock In manner fatal to both.
The toiling conductors should not BE-
forgotten. There should b. automatic
ksaf nj -.
cashier to make change and an assist
ant with an adding Cor subtractlng)
machine to figure the company's share
OF gross. As to the freight men. they
are tolerably well provided for, only the
annoying rule OF giving the limited
the right Of way over freight trains per-
ssts on many roads. This OF course
should be changed.
Secretary Bryan complained the other
day that improvements always have to
he forced upon railroads. True, in
deed. There should be some system Of
rewards for the invention of new ways
10 make railroad spend money use
lessly. Ana the right to suspend or
cut lntrastate rates should be extended
to township justices Of the peace. Fur
tuernure 1t should be made unconstitu-
tonal tur any increase OF rates to be
made effective In less than four years
after II has been ratified by all the
commissions, courts Legislatures and
officials, down to and including the
aforesaid Justices.
American railroads have long had the
distinction OF hauling a ton of freight
or passenger further for a dollar than
any other railroads in the world. not
withstanding the fact that they pay
wages more than 100 per cent. above
thos" paid anywhere else in the world
Being American, this must OF neces-
sity be wrong. 1t can't he right. Even
Secretary Bryan can see that!
w. G. TAYLOR
BRooKLINE. Mass. February IL.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
This Is a Cruel World. Mr.. McAdoo

The Hon. WILLIAM GIBBS MCADoo
chief whip and lobby leader OF the
Congress Of the United States, made
this noble renunciation before an au-
dience OF awestruck New Workers:
II lmpute no motive to any one, gem
tlemen.
Il don't want to put this discussion
upon any such plane
Il would not attempt to gather by
innuendo a single vote In favor OF this
bill nor by misrepresentation to gain
an iota Of support for It,"
Certainly no height Of moral gran
deur greater than this has ever been
achieved. The eye moistenS, the voice
trembles as WILLIAM GIBBS MCADoo
reveals himself In this inspiring frame
Of virtue.
But how cruel, how unjust, how
unappreciative Is the attitude of the
world toward Its greatest benefactors.
There are Grass and gross minds not
artuned to the perfect harmony of the
WilSonian ship purchase bill, which
do not for an instant hesitate to i'm
pute motives to some of It's most con-
spicuOus advocates.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
An Unnecessary Menace

The Ninth avenue elevated railroad
accident Of Saturday afternoon was
u rear end collision. explainable hut
not excusahle. The day was foggy
no visual or decorating signal warned
the motorman Of the following train
to stop; the wreck so damaged the
cars that no evidence can be found
as to the condition Of the equipment.
But CLIFTON w. WILDER chief cleo
trical engineer OF the Public Service
Commission. says without qualifica-
ton in his report on the smashup:
This accident demonstrates, perhaps
better than any other accident, the ne
cessity for some form Of protective sig
nails on both local and express tracks on
all elevated structures"
A rear end collision means one Of
TWO things; improper equipment or
ineffective discipline. Neither Is he.
You'd the control Of the operatin.
company; and neither is tolerable on
any railroad.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
Further Relief for the Raj Dads.

Public opinion Is clearly obtaining
for the hitherto hard pressed railroads
an increasing measure Of relief from
the exactlug and gripping restrictions
of an excessive downward regulation
of transportation charges. The Inter
state Commerce Commission ruling
handed down yesterday in the so
called IntermouLtnin cases and es-
tabishing new freight rates Is n sec
ond big step forward into a real new
freedom for the common carriers from
the expressions which were threaten
ing to bring about financial and bust
ness disaster.
Political heather will rage and try
10 make the people imagine a vain
hing. Relentless radicals have not
ceased to howl about the ruling rem
dercd in the Eastern rate case last
December, which has given 80 much
public satisfaction. 1t is becoming
more manifest, however, that the rail
roads are dealing with an altered In
lfTNlult AbllllhNlNf Nblllhl lNNlbllt Ollt
which has conception Of respOn-
sihillty commensurate with its appre-
citation Of power. The determination
Of the Intermountain cases comes to
the same conclusion as the outcome of
the Eastern rate case. Both allow the
right of the railroads to an adjust
mani of r1tpS which pnnhlpS thpm IN
meet business conditions.
There is much in the Intermountain
cases which is altogether too tech
meal for discussion here. II sulfices
to say that the 1910 amendment to
the interstate commerce act gave the
Interstate Commerce Commission au-
thority to fix railroad rates, whereas
thcy had before had only the pow er
to review rates fixed by the roads.
Exercising the new regulating au-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
POUND AND PACKAGE.
Soda Crackers Loose" Clip the Wings
Of Living Cost.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Str: In
a recent issue 81 THE SUN some one ad-
vocated the purchase OF family supplies
In bulk, instead OF cartons. and also
buying In quantity The idea of buy
ing goods by the pound instead of by
the package II without doubt the more
econ m.cal. the cost Of cartons, print
ing and usually advertising a brand
being eliminated a package OF soda
crackers containing nine ounces Is
asaa"y sold foT 20 cents. while a pound
weighed out 10y the grocer Of the same
quality may be purchased for the same
price. But the plan Of buying in guam
.uty does I always prove IN economy
large amount OF supplies often in
duccs "A more lavish use Of them. this
being especially the case where help is
employed
While a great deal is being said about
u" living expenses, not enough atten-
ton has been directed to the high cost
OF dressing and the wastefulness of
keeping up with constantly changing
styles. over a million bundles sent to
the unemployed Is pr badly very largely
due 20 the contents being out of fashion.
Many families are living and dressing
well and yet saving money, by the ex-
ercIse of common sense in the purchase
of food and a not too sensitive atten-
ton to style in clothes c. F. G.
JERSEY CITY, February IL.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
OUR EXPORT TRADE.
Would an Embargo Relieve Conditions
In This Country?

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--Sir: The
cartoon in THE SUN of February s is
certainly fine. II some of the wise peo-
and give II about five minutes thought.
then act accordingly. conditions In Eu-
rope and America would certainly be
different at the end of another six
months.
Why would not II be a good thing
for this Government to place an en-
barge on all merchandise destined. di-
rectly or indirectly. to the countries at
war? Why limit 1t to arms and NUM-
tons e war?
II an embargo were placed on food
stuffs the belligerents would have to
come to settlement inside OF six
months or starve to death in either
case an end of the hostile conditions
which to-day exist would be reached.
Furthermore, conditions in this coun-
try would improve to the extent OF the
amount OF foodstuffs which are being
exp rted, As conditions are to-day
staples are being advanced in price
owing to alleged shortages which, the
producers tell us, are caused by the
shipment OF their product to Europe,
where better prices can be obtained
Is 1t not discrimination on the part
OF the Government to stop the shipment
II an article produced by one manufac-
turer and not that OF another, provided
that both are legitimate products?
G. II. q.
NEWARK, ". j., February II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12

United States again finds itself In a
situation involving transactions OF
the greatest delicacy with other
Powers, these words with few alter
ations may be read to fit exactly the
needs OF our country. How easily
their good sense and fair import may
be adapted to the needs of 1915 this
paraphrase suggests:
Intervention in foreign affairs, open
ly invited and industriously instigated
by the abettOrs of the warning peoples,
becomes imminent, aud has only been
prevented by the practice OF strict and
Impartial Justice, with the most perfect
moderation, In our intercourse with
nations"
Other readings applying to the con
ditions Of February 1915 the prln-
ciples enunclated by LINCOLN in Feb.
ruary 1862 will doubtless occur to
readers of THE SUN, and the exact
form In which they are cast Is of
minor consequence. The capital, the
all important fact, Is that In the dark
years OF the civil war 1.-The prac-
tice OF strict and impartial justice.
with the most perfect moderation,
IN our intercourse with nations" pre-
served for us an international peace
that many times seemed impossible of
mathematics and that to-day, amid
all the perplexities and doubts Of a
deeply troubled world, adherence to
the same course will bring to the
United States the same reward.
1t will be observed that ABRAHAM
LINCOLN wore no hyphen.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
RYE AND MUM"
Likewise Corn Pone and Johnny Cake;
a Boom for Corn Meal.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Str: VIII
YOU permit a suggestion from one who
has read THE SUN for nearly half a
century and who to-day thinks some
thing is wrong II he does not receive II
on time?
Apropos the high cost Of living and
the increased price OF bread, | have read
the numerous communications on these
subjects that have appeared In THE SUN
and have been surprised that no one has
as yet made the suggestion. so far as /
have observed at all events, that the
expense for bread might be reduced
very materially by the use of corn meal
In some of the many forms in which IL
can be cooked | have fond recollec-
lions Of the good old satisfying rye
and Iniun" OF childhood days. while
corn pone and Johnny cake-well. any
Of them are as good as the kind Of
white bread they make to-day, with the
most nutritious portions OF the wheat
kernel eliminated According 10 the
market reports corn IL half the price Of
wheat to-day or thereabout. while II
mistake not the actual nutriment in a
bushel of corn is much in excess OF that
i'm the same amount OF wheat.
Why not start a corn bread crusade,
as Murphy did In Europe some years
since2 A CoRN BREAD LOVER
GALVESTON Tex, February 9.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12

After long litigation the union
hatters of the Connecticut Danbury,
defeated in -helr benevolent purpose
of running certain hat manufacturers
by the boycott, were sentenced to pay
what now amounts to $4,000 in
damages, cost and interest for viola
ton of the sherman law.
This fine, So surprising to that priv
ileged. sacred class, labor" specially
protected and exempted from prOsccu-
ton, or supposed to he, by the Clay
ton act, II is now proposed by Nut
meg Representatives in Congress
each clothed in goosellesh with the
fear of the American Federation o!
Labor, that Congress shall reimburse
to the virtuous and downtroddrn
hatters. Great is labor and above the
law, ana the Hon. SAMUEL GoMrEHS
is It's prophet,
This Ingenious plan from Com
persia brings to mind the saying oi
that glory of the First ward of Chi
cago the Hon. IIINKEY DGNK 10 an
other radiant Cook county pE.loso-
pher and financier, the Hon. JouN
POWERS: "JoHN, II had your
cheek ! would break into national
bank"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
AUSTRALIANS DEMAND"
whence the Antlpodean Delusion OF
membership?

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str
What has prompted a certain section OF
the Australian press 20 demand that the
United states renounce it's neutrality TO
take up arms on the side OF England In
the present European struggle? For the
life OF me. an Australian OF two years
residence in New York, | cannot under
stand it.
The question is the more perplexing
the fact that even England itself has
never directly made such a demand
am not "A Sherlock Holmes, bm / think
II the finger prints Of the censorcflip IN
Australia were taken the offender would
be found In the matter OF news dis
guised and distorted to inflame my
countrymen's sense OF justice.
WHY the demand from Australia?
Is Australia more concerned in Eng
lands affairs than is England itself?
There is nothing to prevent any indi-
yidual who !, 80 disposed from going to
fight with the Allies Surely then those
Australians who feel so keenly in this
matter should he In the trenches them
selves before trying to drag a foreign
nation into the fray, nation beloved
by all good Australians whose minds
are not shackled by ancient prejudices
and whose aspirations are freedom.
Uncle sam has many faults, but a
national thirst Tor blood is not one OF
them. which fact has recently been
proved by his noble forbearance in the
aggravating Mexican situation. Why
then should this giant who refrained
from using force OF arms in his own
interest be expected 10 step into a bother
that concerns him not In tho slib test
degree?
Owing to the contiguity OF foreign
races I'm Europe warfare and bloodshed
are that unhappy continents inevitable
heritage. The United States is far away
from and free OF the miserable entan-
clements of European intrigue and It
would be a blessing TO Australia to he
absolutely similarly unconnected, for
when | think OF my country being In
any way tied to Europe have night
mare in which I see beautiful limo
cent young girl reluctantly in company
with a toothless procurcss.
JAMES s. RYAN.
New YORK February IL.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
TILLMAN ANSWERS THE SUN"
senator Takes Exception to Edi-
tOrIaI on Navy Yards.

WAsHINGToN, Feb. ll.-Senator Till
man rose to question OF personal
privilege to-day, taking as a theme a
recent article I'm the North Ancricm
Rouiow by George Won l.. Meyer, for
mer Secretary OF the Navy, and an ed-
torial article published in THE SIN
February s, entitled, Waste IN Naval
Expenditures, The Senator asked for
the reading OF THE SUN editorial, and
then said:
THE SUN has heen considered one ~
our most reliable newspapers and when
II editorially makes glazing missttte-
ments OF fact, as in this instance feel
compelled TO correct them The cdi-
torial was comment on Mir. Meyers
article in the North American RcutCw.
THE SUN mentions me by name, but
does not say who the Senator is, merely
saying he is dead | am surprised that
paper keeps so badly posted. Eugene
Hale OF Maine. formerly Senator and
chairman OF the Naval Committee. Is
not dead at all, He can speak FOR HIM
self about Frenchmans Bay, as can Mr.
Perkins about Mare Island"
The editorial had suggested that there
had been pooling OF local Interests
between Senator Tillman, Senator Per
kins, a Maine Senator and a Louisiana
Representative in the House, and that
their interests respectively were zee
Elected In appropriations for Port Royal
$. C.; Mare Island yard, Frouchmla's
Bay on the Maine coast and New or
leans yard
THE SUN article stated that S2.27j-
600 was spent on the Port Royal naval
station before II was abandoned"
To this Mr. Tillnan rafoiu.I
III has not been abandoned al aI.
but Is still maintained not rs a naval
station. for tho dock has decayoi. hut
tho Navy Department still utIl,2es me
costly brick buildings as disciplinary
barracks. They are too valuable 90 he
turned over to the bats and owls That
policy could emanate from only wise
and thrifty man Ike Meyer or -ec-
tional partisan as THE SUN has SHOWN
Itself TO be In this matter.
II am endcavoring to have the Port
Royal yard used as reCru.,.U- -'i-
tion for the Marine Corps The health
and other advantages possessed hN 'A"'
whole region point to II as being sl-
perbly suited for this purpose II
warm enough during all the winter 20
drill out of doors on land or sea and no'
hot enough during the summer 20 cause
very much discomfort.
THE SUN says with the vaH'he
Norfolk Navy Yard and base al Hump
ton the Charleston station was "h''
ously superfluous
And yet THE SUN never on'S
stress the special importance ana ''.'"'
sity OF the navy yard AT phllH'' ~
only 100 miles from New York. WINE
Boston and Portsmouth are both Ml'n
nearer to New York than Is Ch1'.rs'o"
10 Hampton Roads"
Senator Tillman submitted e It''rr
from Senator Perkins accusing FORMER
Secretary Meyer OF being influenced ].
his comments by the Navy League "
the United States"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
THE PRICE OF KULTUR.
Is Further Instalment to BE Elk
acted on the Sea?


To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: You
deserve the thanks of every American
for your admirable editorial article
THE Price of 'Kultur.'" Yet In n few
days we also may have to pay some of
the price. II after February is Ger
man submarine "by mistake or other
wise sinks an American vessel and "un-
avodaby" browns or kills American
passengers, we will then pay some OF
the purchase price.
There are many who believe that the
submarine threat Is. as to neutrals. a
mere scare blockade. But this theory
falls to appreciate that the German war
lords are obsessed with a sense of Ger
man priorlties. While obsession Is fire.
quently partial or tsmporar- in-sn-
ity, 1t generally tries to carry out its
plans The submarine Is a new force,
and the Germans will urge that existing
international requirements warning. in
vestigation of papers a. TO neutrality,
boarding. SC, are all inapplicable that
II is dangerous for submarine to take
such steps. Hence, rather than lessen
the effectiveness Of the submarine. they
must blow up any suspected" vessel
and its unlucky passengers.
What remains now to he decided Ia
what the United States shall do to pro-
tect tne lives OF American cltacis SAIL
ing In American vessels to Great Brit
ain, as they have a right to do. What
American will dare say that the United
States will allow Germany to alter ex-
istlng law so as 10 enhance the effec-
tiveness Of her submarines? But re-
member that some German Americans
are stu urging our Government to
change existing law so as to lessen the
effectiveness. I'm arms and ammunition,
of the French army. X. ]. NJ
New YORK, February II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
THE GERMAN CHECK.
Criticism Of Certain Opinions Of Mr..
Frank Harris.

To THE EpIToR OF THE SuN-Sir: In
reading the always interesting SUN
DAY SUN l came upon the article by
Frank Harris and | take the liberty
OF asking Frank Harris why he was
not more specific In his explanation
OF the German check on the until
then uninterrupted march to Paris. IL
the German censor Is as appreciative
of the war correspondent as Mr. Har-
rls says, why didn't he take him into
his confidence and tell him the real
reason why? Mr.. Harris says frankly,
however that this check hasn't yet been
explained, except that 1t wrongly
turned to the praise of Generals Jofrre,
French and Company.
Reports from Germany so far az ]
have seen were to the effect that the
German retreat was made for ''stra-
tegical reasons" That the reasons were
good and sufficient, however. no one
doubts, but that this Jolt to the German
army with Paris almost in it's grasp
and its enforced retreat ever since in
the caves and quarries of the Aisne
should be passed over and dismissed
so lightly does not become a writer
Of distinction such as Mr.. Harris Is
quoted to be.
II II be selfish and almost crimi-
nal for Generals Joffre and French to
command armies at their age. what
shall be said OF the two famous Ger
man Generals, Won Hindenburg and
Won Kluck, two youngsters of 65 and
over?
We have yet to hear OF victories won
by any OF the younger Germans, but we
have heard Of a certain Prince who
got into difficulties in the aforesaid
check, requiring the assistance OF the
entire German forces to extricate his
own army from the meshes OF the
French army.
Clemenceau, the only man OF promi-
hence In France whom Mr. Harris
delgns to mention favorably, doubtless
Is patriot, but his distinguished tai
ents have always consisted I'm opposing
everybody and everything not conform
ing TO Clemenceau He is known as
the maker and unmaker OF Ministries,
but not as constructive statesman.
There Is one thing, however which he
would not be guilty of he would not.
in order to vent his spleen, belittle his
own country. LEoNcE FRAIssINET.
NEW York. February H.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
Abraham Lincoln.

From Lo,oeps "Ode Recited Of The Har.
rdrd Commencement" JUiy u, 1855
Nature, they say doth dote
And cannot make a man
Save on some WORKOUT plan,
Repeating US by rote:
For him her Old World moulds aside
she threw,
And choosing sweet clay from the breast
OF the uneNhausted West,
with stun untalnted shaped hero new,
Wise, steadfast In the strength OF God,
ana true.
How beautiful to see
once more a shepherd of mankind In
deed,
who loved his charge. but never loved
to lead;
one whose meek flock the people joyed
To be,
Not lured by any cheat OF birth,
But by his clear grained human worth
And brave old wisdom Of sincerity
They know that outward grace Is dust;
They could not choose but trust
In that sure footed minds untalterinE
skin
And supple tempered will
That bent like perfect steel to spring
again and thrust
His was no lonely mountain peak OF mind.
Thrusting TO thin air DER our cloudy bars.
y 70" HhIh now now lost IN NaporS blind
Broad prairie rather. genial. level lined.
Fruitful and friendly for all human kind,
Yet also nigh to heaven and loved of
loftiest stars.
Nothing OF Europe here
or then, Of Europe fronting mornward
still.
Ere any names OF serf and peer
Could natures equa' scheme defacs
And thwart her genial viii;
Here was u type of the true elder race
And one OF Plutarch's men talked with ur
face to face
l praise him not II were too late:
And some innative weakness there mus,
be
In him who oondescends to victory
such as the present gives and cannot
wait,
Safe in himself as In fate
So always firmly he;
He knew TO hide his time
And can his fame abide.
still patient In his simple faith sublime.
TIL the wise years decide.
Great captains with their guns and
drums
Disturb our judgment for the hour.
But at last silence comes;
These all are gone, and, standing IN. n
tower,
The kindly earnest, brave, foreseeing man
ssEaoious patient, dreading praise. not
blame,
New birth Of our new soil, the nrs,
American.