davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1915-02-05

with the resultant capture of the
material.
Between the lines one may read
of more than the repulse of an iso-
lated band of marauders. Bands of
that character do not carry with
them the material for such an under
taking as the bridging of the Suez
canal. If the report be true at all,
it would indicate operations far
enough advanced for the engineering
forces of the Turkish army to begin
their work. The first significant fact
is that the canal itself has been ap-
preached. The second is the lack of
any attempt to injure the canal.
Such an attempt would logically be
expected of any irresponsible force.
Recognition of the canals interna-
tional character implies headship.
1t is barely possible that the next
week or so will see some interesting
happenings in locality that, ever
since Turkey entered the war, has
been very tempting but wholly un-
profitable to the transient strategist.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
TURKS AT THE CANAL

The British press bureau has not
been conspicuously at pains to pre-
vent the circulation of false rumors
favorable to the allies, cause. Denial
even of the report of that Russian
expedition to France was given
grudgingly. But as for news favor
able to Germany, it has at least
searched after the fact. Actual re.
verses have been accorded honest
though perhaps conservative, confess
sion. And rumors of the possible, if
"passed" at all, have usually come
true, with the demonstrated truth
somewhat exceeding the rumor in
significance.
Dispatches of the last few DAYS
have referred repeatedly to a Turk.
ish advance upon Egypt. Now comes
one that a small Turkish force has
easily been repulsed while trying to
cross the Suez canal. The Turks, il
seems, were allowed to assemble
their bridging material on the bank
And then, when they commenced
building, fire was opened on them
The Washington times., 1915-02-05

would be entirely different. England or
Germany or japan, being at war with
the United states, would starve. or suf-
Ter severely, IL we could prevent them
from Importing. directly or indirectly,
everything needful for their life or in
dustry. Without having a clear control
OF the sea we would still be able, with
rev, or many, fast commerce raiders,
ships destined directly or Indirectly for
our enemy. and SO endanger him. The
tlme is not far distant when submar-
mes, with large cruising radius, will be
SEEING merchant vessels and sinking
any war vessel that comes to the res
cue.
In short. there are two nations which,
Tor many years to come will find their
best interest served by establishing and
maintaining the principle that every
forces Is conditional contraband. sub
Ject to seizure and forfeiture wherever
round, IL shown to be ultimately des-
tined for an emeyl Those are. first, the
United states, and; second, Russia, but
IN less degree. For the other nations
such principle involves defeat or
grave danger If the hazards of war de-
sea.
The question Is, therefore. sharply
raised whether we are wise in con-
tending now for principles which may
save us few millions of purely tenn
porary loss of trade in cotton. copper.
ana meats when our success in that
saving now may cost us added years
or war. thousands of lives, and untold
millions of dollars at time when those
things are vital.to our national life.
FRANK BOUGHTON FOX.
washington. Feb
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
lnterurban Cars to Use
Arc Headlights in D. c.

The cars of the Washington. Balti-
more and Annapolis line. which run over
the tracks of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company within th2 Dis
trict, will use their electric arc head
lights between the District line anG
Minnesota avenue as soon as the ncccs-
sary instructions can be issued, the
Public Utilities Commission WAS adj
viscd today in a letter from w. T.. Ham,
vice president Of the latter company.
The change Is the result of an opinion
submitted to the Commissioners by
Corporation Counsel Conrad II. SINE.
that dazzling electric lights, pcohibitcd
by article l., section 80, applied onh, to
automobiles, and not to street cars
The orr9ion was forthcoming as "A re-
suit of the accident near Brook Station
October 81. 1914. when "a man was run
over and killed by a Washington. Balti-
more and Annapolis car. The inspectol'
reported that the motcrman, havin., cut
or his electric light on entering Tho
District, was unable to see tho man
lying on the track until 1t was too late
To- stop the car.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
MUSIC IN POLITICS

Let Andreas Dippel have his way
and henceforth Uncle Sam will be
dean of three great schools, Annap-
oils, West Point, and Counterpart.
The Government now takes a keen
interest in military tactics, crop
raising, cattle breeding, etc., so why
not in the chromatic scale, and the
improvement of the upper register?
About the time most reformers are
clamoring to take this and that en-
terprise out of politics without be-
ing over sure where they are to take
II toy this impresario argues that it
is high time for music to break into
politics. He sees visions of a ma
tional academy of music, with per-
haps two appointments thereto open
to each State, and a grand scramble
among rising young colorutura art
lists for appointments. Whether such
consummation is regarded as an
additional factor in our national de-
tense, whether he hopes that Ameri-
cans. like the Dutch described in
Washington Irving's "Knickerbock-
er's History of New York" will be
able to repulse invaders simply by
vocal bombardments, he does not
state.
One even can see visions of a ma
tional court of harmonic arbitration,
with the intricacies of Bach and
Wagner defended as ardently as the
principles of Blackstone and Thomas
Jefferson now are upheld. Civil
service applicants will be made to
state whether they graduated from
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Objects to Arraignment of Commits.
sion Merchants.

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
In justice to our business and our
selves we are forced to reply to the
Severe Arraignment Of Methods OF
Commission Merchants" published hy
Mr.. F. q. Campbell in an article appear
ing in your paper under date Of Febru-
arv !.
The reflections on the methods of WASH
ington commission merchants there in
ferred are false and unwarranted, and
If that gentleman is capable or able to
back up his statement. he is offered an
opportunity to prove that he Knows
whereof he speaks.
The farmer OF today is realizing more
for his efforts than ever before. and
has beyond a shadow of a doubt tho
best paying business proposition that is
offered in any line Of work. provided he
is energetic and intelligent How many
residents of Washington can afford the
luxuries that are enjoyed by an up-to-
date farmer. such as telephones. pianos.
talking machines and automobiles?
AS to the IS cents claimed TO have
been received as the net amount for the
calf in that particular Instance. we
wish to say that he, Mr.. Campbell. has
ing the transaction, or it may have been
calf skin, instead of a calf. for a man
so poorly informed could hardly know
the difference between the two.
Ten to ffteen years ago, the standard
price for veal calf was from s. to 81.
Today We sold three calves for the aG-
gregate sum of s65. and this we are able
and willing to prove.
II Mr.. Campbell is no better informed
relative to the prices Of produce sold
on the Washington market than he is to
the reason why the young men leave
the farm. he had better take a little trip
back to the farm Gf he ever saw one)
and look cheerfully over the ground and
dig up some correct information which
he can substantiate or prove.
In conclusion. we wish TO say that 1t
does often happen that fruit arrives
here in bad condition. and does not
bring enough to pay transportation
charges. especially is this true when all
kinds Of fruit is plentiful, as was the
case last summer. As for calves, We
can say and prove that they are SELL
ing at about double the price obtained a
few years ago, and that the farmers are
getting this increased price.
STROHECKER & GUEST.
Washington, February l.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Fern Rogers Was Refused
Passport at u. S. Embassy

NEW YORK, Feb. 5,-Indignant at
the treatment accorded her by the
American embassy in London, rather
than at the criticism directed at her
by the British press because of her pro-
German utterances. Fern Rogers, the
beautiful American actress. who played
The Sleeping Beauty at the Drury
Lane Theater. returned on the White
Star liner Adratic.
AT the close of my contract" said
Miss Rogers, II decided to accept an
offer made to me to visit Berlin. and
made application at the American en-
bassy for a passport.
Assistant Secretary Green told me to
return the following day. When ] went
back he said he could not give me a
passport, even though | was an Ameri-
can citizen. | demanded to know the
reason, and was told that after placing
my request before higher officials il had
been decided that by issuing me a pass-
port Great Britain might he offended.
Il could do nothing more. so booked
my passage On the Adriatic, deciding
TO com. to New York an dsail from here
to Berlin by way of Italy
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Declares He Got Loaf of Bread
Weighing Not Over Ten Ounces.

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
considering the proposed increase IN
the price of bread, 1t Is we'll for US to
inquire into the present weight Of loaves
now served out to The people. When
my grocer handed me loaf yesterday
morning it's smallness attracted my at
tention. The price was cents.
asked the grocer II it weighed a pound.
You can bet 1t doesn't" was his re-
ply. II weighed a couple Of loaves the
other day, and the combined weight of
the two was less than a pound and a
half"
He said it had been that way a long
time, and that there was no law To
prevent the baker from giving as short
weight as he chose.
II this Is so. is It not high time that
the public should be protected in this
matter? 1t is a question that affects
out Of the mouths Of the poor man g
babies IL an abuse that should be look
ed into at once. I am for fairness to
the bakers. as we'll as to everybody. II
wheat goes up. bread will be dearer, Of
course; but to have to pay more for
short-weight loaf is a hardship the
public should not have to shoulder. The
bakers should bear their part of the
burden. too. But above all, let them
be required to furnish a standard weight
loaf for standard price. The loaf !
bought the other day for cents did
not weight over ten ounces. Is that
according 10 Ia" and ea9;t!SN;suME Ge!SNsuMER.
Washington E>ebruary
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Mrs. Funk to Give Tea to
Woman Suffrage Council

Mrs. Antoinette Funk. acting chair
man of the Congressional committee Of
the National American Woman Suf-
frage Association. will give a reception
and tea to members of the Washington
Woman Suffrage Council at her home,
1888 Lamont street, on Wednesday
afternoon from $3.50 to $50. The guests
OF honor will be the officers and ex-
ecutive board OF tho council Mrs
George Alexander Mosshart, Mrs. Cato
Sells, Mrs. Karl F. Kellerman, Mrs. l..
a, Rogers. Mrs Wesley Martin Stoner.
Mrs. Glenna Smith Tinnin. Mrs. Kate
Trenholm Abrahams. Mrs. George F.
Bowerman, Mrs. Frank. S. Bright Mrs
Raymond B. Morgan, Mrs Frank
Hiram Smell Miss Florence F.. Stiles,
Mrs. Alice Lee Moque. Miss Mary
OToole. and Miss Ethel NJ Smith
Miss jeanette Rankin. OF Montana.
who recently Joined the lobby force of
the Congressional committee, was the
principal speaker at a reception held by
the Equal Suffrage League, OF Balti-
more. yesterday afternoon. Miss
Rankin. who is president Of the Mon.
tana Woman Suffrage Association, TOT,
of the victory of suffrage at the po.S
In Montana last November
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Teach Balanced Rations, Rather
Than Pure Food, Is Request.

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
was interested in a recent issue, with
the article under the caption, prof.
Allyn to Answer All Queries About
Food" The article says:
Prof Lewis B. Allyn. the man
who put Westfield, Mass, on the
map as The Pure Food Town Of
America. Is conducting the Food
Query Department of The Times"
would like to ask, what is pure
food? Is embalmed meat, such as
corned beef. picked hams. picked fish.
salt fish. etc. pure food? Are green
olives. filled with indigestible stuff.
pure food? Are immature cucumbers
soaked in vinegar and salt, pure food ?
The vinegar must contain per cent
Of acetic acid before it can be sold as
pure vinegar. Acetic acid Is a caustic
poison. and II one goes to a drug store
to purchase a bottle Of acetic acid a
skull aud crossbones label will be
placed on 1t. Whoever heard Of a
skull and crossbones being placed on
bottle of boric acid. benzoic acid. or
formic acid? If our experts would
teach the public how to balance their
rations and stop harping on preserv.-
ing pure food. they would do more good
to the general public. Owing to lido
'syncrasies some persons can eat eggs
with impunity, while others are
poisoned by a slight portion Of eggs:
some can eat Ash. while others cannot;
some can eat strawberries, while others
cannot. and so II goes on through the
food list
In reference to preservatives. why
should man know more than the
Creator about preserving food? Does
nature use horseradish. mustard. to-
basco sauce, worcestershire sauce,
catsup, pepper. sklt. vinegar. or salt
peter to preserve food? No. Nature
uses benzoic acid in cranberries. the
bee uses formic acid in honey; plant
life. grapes. and fruit take up boric
acid wherever 1t exists in the soil
There is reason in all things. and un-
less the public Is acquainted with both
sides of the question. biased opinion
Is formed. H. l.. HARRIS.
New York, Feb. 1.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
USING COMMON SENSE

amid the wide agitation about
proper nutrition of school children,
and experiments with feeding as
well as teaching pupils in school, the
Home and School Association of the
Monroe School, Of Washington,
shows a hopeful tendency to apply
common sense at its source.
Instead of expecting school teach
ers to add culinary training to their
other qualifications, and relieve the
home of its primitive duty Of feed
ing its young, the mothers of this
association have organized diet
course, with special reference to the
nutrition of children.
Probably most Of the mothers of
this organization already know as
much about cooking as the average
housewife. But the average house.
wife can learn much about the sci
ence of dietetics, especially as it af-
fects children. These women not
only are to study home meals, but
the preparation of nutritious and
palatable luncheons for school Chill
dren.
d, When the fudge-fed, half starved
school child is eliminated efficiency
in school work will gain about 10
per cent. And the remedy lies in
just what the parents of the Monroe
School children are doing.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
TH"WAR ZONE" DECREE

In declaring the entire English
channel,> the Irish Sea, and the
waters surrounding the British is
lands "zone of war" the German
admiralty has invented new instru-
mentality of blockade. It has applied
to the free waters of the world q
rule that heretofore has been applied
on the land, but not to the seas.
The German proclamation opens
the way to complication of ipterna.
tional difficulties. It indicates a pur-
pose on Germany's part to make a
new set of rules for the conduct of
neutral commerce in time of war,
and to set up in her own prize courts
or on the decks of her warships, the
Interpretation of those rules that
shall suit her purposes.
A blockade is required to be ef-
fective in order to be binding. A
belligerent nation, that is, may not
by proclamation of blockade which
does not in fact exist, arm itself
with the right to seize vessels des-
tined to a port which has been in
aluded in the blockaded region. The
United States will not be hesitant
about insisting on the physical en-
forcement of a blockade, for the
powers Of Europe rigidly required
this country, during the civil war, to
make the blockade of the South At
lantic and Gulf coasts thorough and
complete.
But Germany does not announce a
blockade; merely declares a vast
area of the open sea to be a "war
zone," which in naval warfare is
unheard of. The United States is
directly concerned as no other neu-
tral is, for, in addition to involving
the coasts of Great Britain and
France, which are warning powers
it involves also the Dutch coast
which is neutral. The possibilities
therefore, that this excursion into
the field of experiment and inven-
ton of new international law will
bring disastrous consequences to the
relations of Germany and the United
States cannot be lightly regarded
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Urges Stand On Contraband That
Will Work Permanent Good to

u. ).
To the. Editor OF THE TIMES:
As pointed out by a recent editorial
in The Times. our Government sus-
tanned against English opposition the
placing Of cotton. copper. foodstuffs.
medicines (even quinine) and bandages
on our contraband list during the civil
war. The vital necessity to US of taking
the identical action in the event of a
war with Japan is shown.
The matter is more fundamental than
our civil war would indicate. The his
tory of the past shows little more than
have both vacillated. contending for
strict rules of contraband when at war
and in control of the sea. but seeking
lenient rules when at peace and in
trade. The better test of the wisdom
of particular policy is found by look
ing to our permanent material and mill
tary situation: not to our temporary
status as a bellgerent or neutral AT
a some past or present time.
Then 1t appears that 1t is to the
permanent. military advantage of the
United States that the very strictest
rules of conditional contraband become
fixed In International law. Our situa-
ton and resources are such that We
could not be harmed, and every conceiv-
able enemy of ours could be harmed. by
rules that made everything conditional
contraband that is not absolute contra
band. Such rules would be more to our
advantage than to England's. Strict
rules are an advantage to England only
while she is actually at war, and has
control of the sea Once she loses that
control, those very rules would starve
her people. 1t is different with US.
In the event that the United States
were forced to war We would absolutely
REQUIRE bv way of imports only am
munition and military equipment: ar
ticles of recognized, absolute contra
band character which are not incluocd
in the present controversy with Eng
land II we should lose control of the
sea- and il our entire coast were block
AIDED, we would not suffer by reason Of
a theory that placed every article of
human consumption or use in the con-
ditional contraband list. We could still
keep our industries and TRANSPORTATION
moving. We could overcome the tenn
porary lack of comparatively few
chemicals. For our enemy to cut off
imports by way OF Canada or Mexico
would cause, at most. only temporary
incony enience.
But the case OF our possible enemies 8
The Washington times., 1915-02-05

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
/ The article Of the Danish American"
was deeply appreciated. and seems very
much to the point. What he says is
true regarding the attitude of a large
number Of American-born Foreigners" :"
who seem in much greater sympath
with the old country than with the
country of their birth, caused by a
peculiar patriotism fostered by parents,
no doubt which, in one particular
family Of my knowledge. has extended
into the third generation. 1t is we'll to
be proud Of the country which your
which patriotism is carried in this
country. concerning the old country, is
absolutely absurd
My father has ever held before us our
obligation to this country OF our adop-
tion: and many foreign friends have
| considered US rather unpatriotic as con-
Germs the mother country. many OF
them holding strictly to the foreign
| methods. language. etc, In preference
to the American. Much would be done
| toward Americanizing immigrants II
parents would see the help which they
receive here and give due credit
I am an American. born Of Danish
Swedish parents In Sweden. and mar
ried an American, born of parents who
were Of French. Scotch, and British
descent: hence ! consider my son fair
example OF true American. I trust
, likewise testify their devotion to our
country of adoption.
INTERESTED READER.
WashingtOn Fob
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
Y. M. C. A. Grateful.

To the Editor of THE TINES:
On behalf Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association. I want to thank you
for the very good account published
daily Of the membership campaign run
ming from January 26 to February 2
The publicity given to the work was an
important factor in keeping up the IN.
terest Of the workers and of the citi-
gems generally.
The splendid editorials and cartoons
attracted widespread attention and
comment.
Thanking you for your valued assist
ance IN the very successful campaign,
am, Sincerely yours,
WALTER w. WARWICK,
Chairman Y. NJ. &. A. Membership
Committee.
washington, Feb. 1.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05
PLACING THE BLAME

Saying, with an air of finality,
something that everybody knows has
come to be the practice Of our lead
ing commissions and governmental
agencies, as witness the first annual
report of the Federal Commission
on Industrial Relations and similar
documents that might be mentioned.
But it is possible to say something
which every one suspected in a way
that will bring its truth home to all
and possibly lead to amendment.
This applies to the first report of
the Children's Bureau of the De-
partment of Labor concerning infant
mortality as studied for a year in
Johnstown, Pa. Amazingly vivid is
its delineation Of the effects upon
babies Of poverty and neglect.
Every one knew, of course, that
ehldren's diseases flourish in
squalor. Every one knew that the
smaller the income d the parents
the less care the child is liable to
have. Yet the actual disproportion
between the chances for life of the
infant of the slums and the infant
Of the choice residential districts
will tug at ones heartstrings as few
arrays Of cold figures will.
Of babies whose fathers earn less
than $40 a week, for instance, 256
in the thousand die. OF those whose
father earns $25 or more only "a in
the thousand die.
In the poorest sections the infant
mortality rate is five times what it
Is in more prosperous neighborhoods.
Direct connection between the
death rate of babies and ill-paved
streets, neglected sewers, and in
sanitary housing is shown. Where
mothers are employed at arduous
labor the rate jumps sickeningly.
The lesson is obvious. Society's
responsibility for the death rate of
one baby in eight the country over
does not end with educating mothers
how best to care for their children.
1t only begins there.
The Washington times., 1915-02-05

Stste agricultural colleges, or the
National Musical Institute.
Probably Mr.. Dippel expected con-
siderable persifage when he, half
humorously, set forth his ideas along
this line. But back of hi interview.
given The Times, is a hopeful op-
timism that this country is gradually
coming to a better appreciation of
good music, and a confidence that,
as we grow older, this art will have
an ever stronger appeal.