davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
ABOUT THE EDISON FIRE
Plant Lacked Most Of the Modern
Safeguards.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In q communication 70 the press
Thomas A. Edison claims that a pamphlet
entitled The Edison Fire" being reprint
from The Clay-W orker,' is false and mis-
leading. a statement not justified by facts.
The pamphlet is an account of just exactly
what the writer of the story saw when he
visited the Edison plant soon after the fire.
The writer was denied admission TO the prop
ertv. and so had 70 confne his photographs
and description Of the fire wreck 20 what
could be seen from the street. Admission to
the grounds was refused guards being sta
toned at every approach to prevent anybody
but employees entering.
Mr.. Edison is a noted authority on all
matters relating to electricity, but the de-
struction Of his plant proves concusively
that he is not an authority on hreproohng.
II is q matter Of common knowledge that his
plant was not equipped with any OF the mod
crn safeguards against the spread OF hre.
There was no sprinkling system, no water
curtain, no wire glass, no anything TO pre-
vent the spread of fire, which of itself proves
that Mr. Edison is not safe builder. mad
the fire occurred during working hours IN
all probability there would have been de-
plorable loss of life, due TO this lack OF m
telligent methods Of construction which
should characterize every modern plant, es-
pecially one filled with infammable mate
rails, as was the Edison plant.
Now as to concrete being tireproof, think
I am safe in saying that even casual in
vestigation will show that it is not. Con-
crete is an artificial stone, and even natural
stone is not a good fireproof material, Tor II
spalls and goes to pieces under extreme heat.
For this reason, it is not as good a iireproof
material as brick or other clay products.
Common building brick is subject 10 tenn
perature Of about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit
in burning. and hence is a much better fire
resistant than stone.
II was brick wall that saved what was
left o. Salem. II was the brick buildings IN
the path Of the fire that saved Baltimore.
such instances can be multiplied indefinitely,
hut these are sufficient to prove what nearly
every one knows and comedies TO be fact
namely. that brick and tile the safe fire.
proof building materials.
Mr. Edison further says that the brick
buildings within his property were utterly
destroyed Has any mortal man ever seen
brick destroyed by fire? You cannot burn
Up brick in a confagration Not so with
concrete. The writer saw with his own eyes
at Baltimore the remains of concrete build
ings OF which little or nothing was left but
the bent and twisted bands and rods Of iron,
convincing evidence that concrete is not a
good hreproof material, and that is what the
pamphlet referred to proves.
THEODORE A. RANDALL,
Editor of The Clay-W orker"
Indianapolis May 3, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

How much more splendid would it be-if she
we're right
At the beginning Of the struggle there
seemed possibility that the German-Ameri-
cans and the Irish Americans would lead this
nation into tacit sympathy with the Teuton
cause Perhaps such might have been the
case but for the laundering diplomacy of Ger
many and the unlawful acts of the Germans
under arms.
Historians, even though Germany should be
completely crushed, will in future point to
the Germany of 19l4-15 as worthy success
sor Of the Prussia from which united Ger
many sprang and students Of history, IN
future generations, will admire and speculate
upon what might have been-if she had been
right. r. L. OKlON.
Brooklyn, May Il, 1913.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
Veto the Direct Tax Bill

Governor Whitman has cut $l.500,00o
already from the huge legacy Of appro-
priatiors passed along to him by the Leg
islaturo. and hopes 10 be able 30 cut as
much more at least from the bills. That
is commendable, bat, as Mr.. McAneny,
speaking FOR this great city. told him, it
viii not be enough Nothing but a reduc-
ton Of the gross appropriations 10 a point
permitting the vetong of the direct tax
bin will he adequate relief for New York.
Since the Legislature. disregarding all
protests, all supplications, adopted the
Sl9.O00.o00 direct tax bill and refused 70
acknowledge possibility Of error even by
leaving with the Governor bills gradu-
ating the tax, circumstances have changed
There IS a certainty of far larger re
turns from indirect taxation than had
been figured on. There is a likelihood Of
constitutional changes permitting sinking
fund readjustments which will greatly re
duce the sum necessary 70 be collected
under the requirements rs they now stand
The Governor is exercising great care in
the items 70 which he gives his approval,
and if he follows Mr. McAnenys sugges-
tons as 70 cuts may be able 70 extract
some S5,000O00 from the total Of appro-
priations
To levy q direct tax OF si9,0O0,oOO
therefore would be 70 collect by taxation
q sum Of money considerably in excess Of
The states immediate needs. That is not
good business policy or good statecraft
at this time. when not only New York City
but several upstate communities which
also run their affairs on 100 per cent
property valuation for taxation must be
plunged almost into disaster by the size
of the direct tax proposed.
Through the acting Mayor the metropo-
us has presented It's case. It's representa-
uyes have made specific suggestions as 70
reductions which would eliminate the di-
rect tax this year; or, # the Governor re-
fused 20 adopt their views regarding the
policy Of paying for canal construction
out of a direct tax and the extreme cuts
they recommended in certain items, at
least would warrant q far smaller i'm
position than the proposed S19,000,000.
However some communities, improperly
favored in assessment valuations or the
distribution Of appropriation pork" may
expect 70 gain by the direct tax, its col
lection will hit all parts Of the state. New
York City viii be worst hit. It's social
service activities must be curtailed; its
Regulation governmental activities con-
Quoted on a restricted basis instead Of ex-
panded as the city's well-being demands,
in order % meet the states call on its
treasury, Il the Governor makes the pro-
posed rate final.
New York City believes that rate IN
Just, practically conhscatory. without
any desire 70 avoid their fair share Of
needed taxes. the ratepayer9 here have a
thorough distaste for being plundered TO
build upstate roads and district improve
ments For the Governor 10 sign the pres
ent bill. in the face Of Mr.. McAnenys fig
ures, would be 70 serve notice on the pub
lie here that the city need expect nothing
less than the worst from Albany.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
Radiomania.


The status Of radium treatment ought TO be
improved before II sinks into the deplorable
dogmatism which ruled in the early DAYS of
clcctrotheraQhy. We must not forget that dur
ing half century or more the primary and
secondary currents OF low voltage were used
in myriads % forms for all sorts Of conditions
with so little effect that not n few physicians
have condemned electricity in all its forms
as useless. This extreme position is. OF
course, regretted by those who still find much
use for the high frequency current, yet even
they are exceedingly conservative and limit
their practice 70 diseases in which they are
reasonably certain they have obtained benefit
II case improves or RECEIVERS under cleo
trical treatment It is not absolutely certain
deed have retarded recovery due to other
means or by the ordinary recuperative power
Of the tissue themselves There is precious
little scientific knowledge OF the functional
ans material tissue changes caused by
electricity or any Of the ether radations
induced by II, excepting. Of course, the ne
crosses due TO excessive amounts. Mysticism
ruled our early and uuscentifc practice
which was not even empirical. The lay mind
grasped al il. a. at all other things which
appeal 20 our crcdulous side. Many OF Us
still remember the days when we all thought
that electricity must do good somehow, and
when a household was not considered COM
pletc unless II had a battery Of some kind
for the ailng inmates Enormous sums OF
money were wasted on the nonsense. except
where benefit was obtained as a result Of
It's suggestive influence We arc row not Il
iittic astonshcd and ashamed of the war
We acted without the slightest foundation in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

THEaslrri
IMPERIAL GERMANY.

This is the end OF patience and o, pause
or watching many men misunderstood.
None guilty and none guiltless. but all fanns
To the guarded fame OF fear: that single cags
or war. TO fear is added new clau.
witnessed and sealed by the express comma.
OF Germany. not signed by any hand
But hers: the insolent outrage OF all laws.
Let US then take her a. her own esteem.
A savage trickster, outlawed from all lands
Let even Christ forsake her and upraise
His whip and lash her from his holy dream;
And when she lies with rottns bloody hand
Let her own children, loathing. come and gas.
WIrTEs BYNNER.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

Stengle played a fine game IN risn'
field. He ran away in from the fence V
get it, narrowly avoiding collision WIFE
Daubert and Stengle.-The Tribune.
The ability TO run so fast that ne mar
rowly avoided colliding with hlrnsell'
thinks T. J. c., ought to make him Brook
lyn's most valuable player.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

1t is called to our Grant attention ths!
Canon Howe, translating the last -four
lines of Horace's Fourth Epode, gives u
and the feet a pleasant little advertise
ment:
What boots it, launching to dispai;
afar
So many strong-beaked ships OF war
To put down pirates and servile hosi
While he-he fills the Tribune's post
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

"The longer you use it, the less II =
necessary says the mineral oil 3d.
evidence that it is not a hsbit-formiA'
medication. What Old Charley De Osniy
wants TO know is whether you have 70 "
it longer than that 10 stop or stop oe'0''
YOU use it as long as that.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

We liked it, but the Clark-Kennedy 'a%
ily. up in Montreal, may be a '0u, ,S,
crew. We refer to the Montreal he'''s
headline: Capt. Clark-Kennedy AISs ~
Well; Other Casualties"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
4 Thought The kaisersJ

It is very nice TO think
The world is full Of ships 20 sinK'
With some condoning such disgrace
In every Christian kind OF place
ANNE
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

1t may have been mentioned before
in this department, for all we remembs
that chemistry students are referring
to the visiting sailors as neutral salts.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

In the May Bookman, Jack keeie w.
ting for Frederic Faber Cooper; a
And at the same time a serious OF :"
Ventures :"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

About time for the San Frane'se0
pers to re-pull the Wilson F0''f
Coast Visit" headline.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

In the bucolic regions the fe''''
against the Herr Doktor is mounting
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

Iron ne Moans Picture NoTlqI
HAMS EASY Eats tksleni Mas tn ~ - -.
II. .,oelv tie ..tr-i' gent becomes
t,,r,,e,, A, Torius no Starring eeEEaf' ia ~"
He aad BUD clean up" with The ask.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
SHE READS HER TITLE CLEAB-

SHE READS HER TILE OLhhn'
Sir: Mebbe it's because Of the war d.
anyway things are changing frins'ans'.
Our girls used 70 cross the water 70 graz %
a title. Now-well, look at Miss Molls bIs''
stedt, the tennis player, who left the o'as
side. came over 10 the L. S, and picked "
how MANY ti,les2 A. W. U.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
t+ttttttt+++tttttt+ttttt,,
The Neutral Muse
DEO FAVsNTG

DEO FAVsNTE
Tho earth runs red with the blood o, N. ,,,.
The sea is soNn With the white faced d..a
From the Last 90 the West goes a cry o, "a,
And sobs and means, where my Volves h,,,
fed.
have given the nod OF M august head.
have struck and strike with ruthless IA
To the ends OF the world let tn. truth /.
sped
! rul, By N, right o. God'
] move In the rear o. p ghastly train.
Where tie masgots breed DO make ny e.
Where the vultsrcs feed VIII count MY gs,
NJ soul is soothcd when the fres burn rd
III. nations cover when they hear ny r,a4
Az. the murdered shrink meath tn. gc,
soaked sod
For they know the truth o. the words rvs
said
| rule BY the right o. Godi
I have marked ny wolves With the marx .:
Cain.
I have honored them FOR tbs blood th.yy.
shed
I have taught them blood leaves never stain
On the hands OF heroes have led.
To my crnglug foes they are things o, treat
F. or the heel strikes hard that with iron Is shos
And they know the trIth-.u the bone ts
bred
rul. by The right o. God!
LENyoi.
Princess. and YOU who have fought and bed
Who have followed me in the paths I've ts1
Strike till the truth through the world Ia,
spread
rule BY he right o. GOD!
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

They are speaking Of him as Col -
burg.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

-Nu can purchase merchandise advertised
m THE TRIBUNE With absolute sstety-tor
n dissatisfaction results IN any case IHt
TRIBUNE guarantees 10 pay YOUR money
back upon request. No red tape, no quio-
bling. VIC make good promptly II the Rd-
-vcrtiscr docs not.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

Newspapers, as 50 many business N,
will tell you, have their price. Even u,
Springfield Republican seems to have h,
"A priceless collection Of old books" d.
Republican speaks Of, and goes on 70 g,
that "the books are valued at aa,,
So. 900"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17

THE APLRT1fENTAL srEEPNG PORCH
tFrofo "a. Gob>
n. burglar 70 hsIisv-i 70 hare sn's,-4 IN. 49,.
rhn. Mr. sni Ms McCun, sip, throusl n. -
/ window.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
The Coming ToSue,

We'll, the Note has been read In q,
many. II may lose, in translation. li,,l.
Of it's force, but even 50 we can imay;,.
the Kaiser. himself a lit'ry teller. o..
BY gracious This is the best .hi,.
Bryan ever wrote
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07
Prosperity Slow but Sure

IF there is characteristic American i'm
l patience in some quarters, with the rela-
tive slowness with which business RECEIVERS
from the depression induced by the European
war, there should also tie satisfa ction that
the recovery which takes that course is far
more likely 10 be permanent. The only
thing worse than boom. in the long run. is
the panic by which il is nearly always fol-
lowed
1t is far better that attainment of normal
prosperity should be gradual, but certain
That this is the case there abundant indi-
cations in almost every industrial and com
mercial field.
Rediscounts for the last week in the Rich
mond Federal Reserve Bank reflect this con-
dition with gratifying positiyeness. The
weeks rediscounrs amounted TO over $500
900. and the total of bills discounted has
now reached s4.l13.275. This shows that
the member banks finding profitable use
for their capital funds, and that the reserve
bank, in promoting the nuidty OF money and
credits. is attaining its destined purpose
The country moves along. solidly surely
safely Richiii0nd HAS right to tcel spe-
cial satisfaction that it is keeping right up
with the van OF the procession
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07

Italians inspired by the classic culture of Greece
ana Rome The first faint stir science oc-
cured IN Italy. Tho earliest author 70 deal
ph'ioSophically with the problems govern
mcnt ana the nature of the state was an
ithiah 1t was Il son of Italy who struck boldly
ataf INTO the dread and unknown sea OF dark
ness ana found the new way the sunrise
through the sunsets of the west What gray
f.iSiahd lacked OF grace and l,aiety, OF beauty
ana oi art. Italy always possessed in abundance
Ehglishmen from the first have felt the spell
OF the southland, and from the days OF Chaucer
Spcnser. Shakespeare and Milton those of
shelley. i-andor, Byron ana the Brownings have
oecn drawn as If with subtle magnet or by
magic TO Italian art, literature and scenery
i,aiE mas been even more Indispensable than
france TO English Htcraturc. The land Is one
of natural beauty that Is unique In It's blending
OF exquisite color, sculpturcd perfection of form
ana warmth OF human interest. Not 4 nook OF
Italy falls of poignant memories of art or his
tory or thought The treasures OF art In Italy
are nj nome out of doors The spirits of the
great haunt the land. The living Italians of
to-day are worthy children of virie and Gull
tured NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Spokesman Review
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07
Drowning ATTACK on Warsaw

THE battle now raging in Russian Poland
l represents. il is probable the GROWING
effort OF the German armies under Field Mar
shall Won Hindcnburg to reach Warsaw, and
thus force the retirement of the Russian
forces in East Prussia and Galcia Ii il is
successful in its immediate object. il. is
wholly likely to achieve its secondary pur-
pose.
Firmly intrenched in Warsaw. Germany
would menace the communications of the
Russian armies operating 10 the northwest
and southwest. The capture OF the Polish
capital moreover. would add immensely 10
the confidence OF the kaiser's people and to
the morale of his troops in the field. and
spread CONSERVATION and dismay among the
Polish subjects OF the Gar.
II the attempt fails, on the other hand. il
will mean an end probably 10 all attempts on
a large scale 10 overrun Russian soil Won
Hindenburg's strategy will become defensive
rather than offensive, his troops Will retire
to strong positions near the Russo German
frontier, the line will be shortened and
Strengthened and warfare in the east will
take the same characteristics that mark
il in the west
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07

the thronying nudIcncoa ~,
Mr. Sundays supportor. ,L.,. Ii, NY,
fui as the mans ,nc,bn,e 49,. 49,, 80
b" forgiven ana .n.r,rcd To- ~, 'il.s
of the possible good n. a'h'
piish In shor, IN. o,J o.,
means: ALWAYS d,n,o.oy,. ~
Would either n, ,ho,n t ''"'.
come Surd,,. -, MINISTERS wei
der that , f,,w nnn,,,. ~ Or
possibly n small r,,,,t :, 90 M"
tcnporuriIy M, -, ". Sh'oohs ""
OF hystnrl, i,,r ness riot
ton is entirely ,c,,,,i,,,,, s'i!i''i w" p
lar. ,,,,,,,i '7 Innate. EVEN II 2,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07
Economy in state Expenditures


ONE thing is incumbent on the Genera,
~ Assembly in the policy it is entering
upon, and that is economy. The new policy
should be given every chance OF success and
careful administration for several wears IN
come is necessary to tina, end Consequent
ly, while the Assembly must spend who, is
actually needed for the good OF the state mo
expenditure should be made which canno,
be entirely justified The next ses,non IN
January, 1915 Will be no time for . rails"
in salaries or the creation Of new deuart
ments.
The modern State government is a rroa,
useful and expensive institution. II under.
takes many things and inevitably spends
much money. 1t is curious to think how
simple and cheap and inefficient orr STATE
governments were at the beginning NJ ,ba
nineteenth century. The charitable oarr,
tional and hygienic movements Of TO-DAY ,roro
hardly thought Of then. Virginia was
pioneer in this line, for she established mo
hrst public insane asylum.
State expenditure and taxes continued 10
be low until about 1925. At tina, time this
country entered on great era OF transpor-
tation expansion, and the States spen, vac,
sums In building canals. roads and RAILWAYS
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07
The Meuse Battlefield

the valley of the Mouse River. cx-
| tending through France. Belgium ana
tfoiIhnd. up and down whose course
-'oop years OF intermittent warfare has
/ necl' "assd. is thus described by the
national Geographic Society:
Above every other VALLEY that of ,i1a
.i"use has become battlefield A.,
i.icg". or The Mouse tho first rrcD,
battle Of the war broke forth and III.
! struggle hlazcI and scared all along
'his rugged banked stream dircctiv
southwark through Belgium into
i rance iAcGc, Namnr. pinant Givct
sedan, Stcnay. Ncrdun and ST Nihicl--
each NAME recently become familiar 10
Americans lie along it@ course
ihfec countries share the Mouse II
rises in France, flows northward
| through Belgium. crosses the Dutch
! IRON lier' swceps westward through Iloi-
lhhd. and cmptics into the North Sos
It's journey 10 the sea is one of stn
nliitS. OF which 400 are nav:pablc fta
/ source is III the south Of the Frcn,l, dr
! partincnt, iIau;c Marine, near The Mca.r
Fauciiles, whence it crosses the depart
mcnt8 Nosses, Mouse. Ardenncs u'
''"igium nc1r SEDAN. northwarL "a n,
Holland near Mnastrich, and thrn.
, westward TO the sea. 1t bears sever.
names along its Coursc-NIeusc Mncp.
, Mas. Mcrwcdc
The valley Of the Mouse for ages has
| been channel :or tho Obj ana now
oil armies. 1t might be said to drain
one vast, historic battlefield Cuc.:,r
pursued its path into the unknown, bar.
barrie north. The wild Tcutonic tribe
pressed down between its banks to
ward the wealth Of Rome Christian
EUROPE has been settling its difference
atoms the valley of the Mcusc by
force OF arms down To the present day
Ia the forest of Ardcnucs, the Mouse
,t.k IL,
inhncca %! charlcmagnc Ninclnuds ANA
hon gardens lie further along its banks
ana thcn IL washes great Industrial
rllirs, gathering To Itself the ashes ru.;,
ana "ciIs OF factory and furnace waste
FINALLY. II drifts through the natlauds
or Holland supplying the numerous
CANALS which divide The plains. Here
""" mere "a" between Namur and Lego,
II cuts marrow passage between
"oodch hills ana cliffs. their diiIicul,
iid"h dotted with pretty villas Just
h"i"r" reaching the sea, tho Mouse, here
'hc Mas. divides. one bw.nci flowing
Vent and the other mingling with tn,
iihinc I" empty past Rotterdam nj the
Hook al Holland
In the boSinninr of liz ,ours, tho
| Nail'S or TIA" M"usc i3a wide meadow
land II ihcn becomes n gorge. friurcd
| WIN BROKEN tangled banks Chatcoux.
onh'ics. cottages and farmstcads sDrin-
~" IN" valley. though far more thicklv
| man lhcsc evidences OF tho living arc
clustered The place names rescued from
forgctfuncss by legends ana hiatoric
records, IN" camp by tho Aduatuci de-
rcrihcd by Caesar is marked by n ella.
uc' on mn between this river and the
Sumhrc, III largest tributary. At. Din
ant l'hi'ip tho Good, Duke of Eur-
fundy. III said to have caused 500 peo
PIE TO be drowned In Its waters.