davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Driving Capital From Virginia

nj OST persons prefer to be honest, if they
1Hl can afford TO indulge in that luxury.
The State should encourage, it seems clear,
so laudable an ambition, but, unfortunately,
II sometimes fails to do it--aS, for instance,
in the matter of taxation of intangible per-
sonal property. III this case the cost of viz
tue--as represented by giving in true tax
returns-is more than weak human nature
usually is willing to pay.
The average real estate investment returns
about or 10 per cent gross, and tax
rate of nearly . per cent, State and city, is
no great hardship. The average security
yields an income OF about 5 per cent, which
Il per cent tax cuts nearly in half. Hence
the owners of intangibles seek every means
Of evading so ruinous burden, and the State
discovers only a fraction OF this kind of prop
erty. AS the process of evasion has its diff
ticultles, however. many investors send their
money to other States, where concealment
will he easier Dwellers elsewhere who are
tempted by our many blessings to think of
Virginia as home, shy off at once when they
learn Of the personal property taxes lying in
wait for them.
The result. has been disastrous Virginia
mas not only lost great amount OF the capt.
tai of her citizens, but of foreign capital that
might we'll have been sent here. Experience
fortunately, shows the remedy Baltimore in
1876, under the old general property tax OF
nearly per cent, had beggarly $4,000, 900
or intangible property on the books. In that
year the tax on intangibes was reduced to
80 cents on the 500. and in 1897 intangible
property in the city rose to S55,OOOOO0 BY
1906 1t amounted to S120,40O,GOO and by
1918 1t had risen to the great figure OF SOL
10000. AT the rate OF 50 on the 500 in
tangibles gave Baltimore in 1906 only $780,
100; at rate OF 80 cents on the 500 they
brought in Si5O.OO0 in 1914 The return to
the state on intangihles within the same time
increased probably $500 per cent In Min
hesota, when the tax on intangible property
was lowered TO mills on the dollar tho
amount OF such property assessed rose imme-
dlately from S13,919,0O0 to Sl35,334.0OO
AT present the city Of Baltimore by itself
pays taxes on more intangible property than
the whole State OF Virginia. Manufacturing
capital in Virginia was assessed at s27.695-
900 III 1913, while the United States census
OF 1910 reported this capital to be s2l6392-
600. These illustrations show that very
small part OF our intangible property is pay
ING any tax at present If the tax on in
tanglDes were segregated to the State and
me rate lowered substantially, it is not I'M
likely that the State government would soon
be able to support itself on this single form
OF taxation alone
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15

WAS the matter. After confessIng my
iEhorance returned to my task OF
observing things In the dark Ru,
through my glasses the little namea OF
the rifles became merely Il trIhe Ipruer
ana more Intense, and the silhouetteH
ana shadows east by the searchlightB
p!acker. From near came the buzzina
or an neroplane motor-it passed on.
which way, | don't know.
And then greenish flames In the far
of sky told OF rockets or shrapnel,
whichever they we're. defamation
hack OF me caused me to look around
lust then two OF our guns emitted col
ninns OF fire, and the next instant q
shell sailed through the air above me
WIN an uncanny moan. Another came
Ahead OF me. In ranid succession two
sheat like flashes and two explosions
mat shook the earth around me.
soon the hre became general The
would call beautifully terrible There
were moments when II resemhled a
large city In which the inhabitants
passed the night by pulling un and
or n sudden whole rows o! houses
would be lighted up. AZ the men In the
trenches fired volleys For "A moment
a part Of this city would lie in utter
the columns OF fire emitted by the how
itzer batteries. The pillars OF nre
would rise almost perpendicuiarIy,
giving the impression that you were
looking upon vast number of steel
ovens
"Of man you heard not a sound No
human voice could be heard In this din.
softly | tried my own But the effort
mingled with an explosion nearby
For some time the fury OF tho bat
tie In the dark, about nothing, In
creased.
For the greater part OF an hour the
thrashing continued. Then the out
hreaks lcssened In volume and ire
uuency. and finally died out altogether.
In the trench In front OF me men now
spoke. but soon II was SO still again
That ] could hear the ticking of my
watch, and the signing Of tho wind In
the nearby willowa"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
War News Fifty Years Ago

There is quiet on Grants lines from the north
to the southernmost end thereof. The whole
battle line was as still May morning yes
tcrday, and there was no excitement to be found
i'm amy direction.
Our batteries that for months have been play
ing night ana day OF the Dutch Gap Canal are
silent That these batteries should cease their
Smelling Is easily explained. The freshct In
James River has driven off the lahorers from
tho canal more effcctually than any amount of
nombardng and further cannonading. for the
present, Is, therefore, unnecessary.
portion of works on tho Petersburg
side of the Appomattox was considerably dam
aged by the rains OF last Tuesday the con-
scquent rise In the river.
Hon. Henry S. Foote representative In tho
Confederate Congress from Tennessee has boon
captured while making an attempt to reach the
shnins INES, lie was arrested at Occoquan.
In Prince William County and brought back to
fredericksburg, and there parolcd to await the
action OF the government.
Francis Il. Blair, Sr. is still I'm this CITY and
Is not stopping mt the Spotswood, as at first
reported, hut is n guest Mt tho privote resi-
dence of Colonel Robert OuId, exehanae con-
missioner He has had several Interviews with
lTtaiaent Davis. and there are various and
cohHictihB reports of the results of their con-
ference.
An official dispatch received from Wilmington
sight off the mouth of the Cape Fear River,
mostly opposite the point OF the former land
ms oa inc Federal troops that made the assault
Oh fort Flshcr. The weather is fair, and the
smooth"
Ono OF the reports about the mission. etc.
OF the alleged Peace Commissioner Blair IL that
Mr. Davis agreed with him to appoint three
commissioners 10 meet IL like number appointed
Dy Lincoln to try and settle the little differences
cNistlng between the Confederate States of
America and the United States. Another report
which is probably the true one, Is that Mr.
Davis has broken off all conferences and dis
missed MIR. Blair with flea in his ear
Gold has gone down in New York, and at
last accounts was selling at 200.
The report comes from Petersburg that the
late heavy rains and the high waters have
damaged General Grants works to such an
extent to greatly weaken them, and II is
likely that our troops will make assault
upon them mt the points thus weakened
1t is expected that Mr.. Blair will leave Rich
mcnd on the flag OF truce boat that is t. carry
prisoners down to Earina this morning.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Ono OF the Days Best Cartoons

Correspondence OF Associated Press
HANOVER. December 2S.-Though
the modern battlefield at night is the
abode OF terror. II does not lack pic-
turesqueness. according to German
officer whose opportunities to he i'm
pressed have been many. In letter to
friend here he wrote:
"being on observation duty AZ night
ls not as lonely IA job as you think
Time passes very quickly. There are
nights. however. when every minute
seems an hour-all that depends upon
circumstances and your own frame OF
mind.
War here is more intense than It is
In the east My observation pos, lies
close TO the lines of the French on a
nil. From there ] report the move
ments of tho enemy and direct our
artillery fire. over mo fly hundreds
OF shells and shrapnel from both sides.
share OF them came last night.
Until about 10 O'Clock all was quiet
From out OF the dark night came the
usual battlefield noises. IL noises one
could call them. Somewhere men spok g
In an undertone-what language I
don't know. Then came the sound of
footsteps. y man coughed In n sup
pressed manner and the steps OF an
other were recorded by the faint voice
OF two metallic substances striking to-
gether. Then the steps and other
sounds vanished and replaced my re-
volvcr.
There was nothing to be seen. until
to my right the rifles In French
trench began to sputtcr. Little tongues
oil purpllSh fire seemed TO lean
across the ground. and through the air
went the wall Of thousands of bullets
What they fhot mt I could not discover
false alarm. OF course. But they
kept II UP valiantly, and the excite
mcnt communicated Itself to the
trenches Of nd
beyond on my left.
I'm less time than II takes to write
1t, the entire field rose from sleep
Searchlights which had lain still began
to move about frnntically. Hero and
body had turned on the electric cur
rent OF II city.
"Headquarters wanted to know what
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Mines AInucl

IT Is all very we'll 10 lay mine and blow up
/ the enemy with il, hut just now the Dutch
are having q lot OF trouble with mines that
have been washed ashore along the Neither
land coast, and their experience isn't very
promising for others There has been a
Tecklessrezs IL mine laying cQualei only by
ine companion recklessuess in bomb throwing
and shrapne hurting. Mine layers have
been tucking their dangerous hidden allies
here and there and everywhere, and when
these mines become stranded, float away, get
into the lanes OF travel, nobody can tell how
many innocent bystanters will be hurt.
Busy now destroying mines, which might
injure commerce as we'll as the enemy those
in charge begin TO realize the danger of the
job. II might be we'll to include in any
future international code revision the serious
question as to how far any power should he
permitted to lay mines. which might cndanger
The commerce OF neutral countries as well as
that OF those countries engaged in war. An
accident" in such circumstances, if tho
parties engaged were individuals within the
ordinary law would be considered due to
criminal negligence. Why not so with
nations?
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
SONGS AND SAWS


Cause for Envy.
on. what would julius Caesar think
What would J. Caesar say
IL nc could but return TO Gaul
AND view scenes there to-day?
Envy, be sure, would fill his soul
And rage would make him dance
Ihat Just by being horn too soon
He'd missed this lighting chance.
His mighty wars seem puny wars,
when with this one comparcd:
More mon die now from sun'to sun
Than forth with Caesar Jared
fes, Caesar, could no walk where he
once led his lcSions GRIM
Would feel that Destiny had Naval
a sorry trick on him.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Exit Cole l.. BleaSc!

COLE l.. BLEASE at last has performed
" one service to South Carolina. He has
removed himself from the Office OF Governor
five days In advance of the time his term
would have expired, for which additional
period of exemption from his mad sway South
Carolina should feel greatly improved.
Blease is strange and incomprehensible
figure. Rehearsal of his innumerable folles
would scarce be interesting, and certainly
would be futile South Carolinans of judg-
ment and right feeling have been Inundated
by his actions, although, of course, one
has regarded him as representative of what
is best, or even OF what is good, in the Pal
metto States citizenship.
At any rate, he is gone from the guberna
torial chair. and South Carolina. which never
could predict what he would do next, must be
heayiug this morning an enormous sigh OF
gratitude and relief
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
II. : Diet Contrasts

THE OTTER day the Kaiser, to impress upon
1 his troops the value of war bread. and
upon his people At home the necessity OF
economy, insisted upon having war bread
served at his table. Then came the King of
SaNony, ordering that war bread must be
used exclusively in the Dresden court Mean
time, with bread riots i'll Belgium Il remark
able contrast in diet is furnished by report
from Newfoundland that British soldiers will
feed on lobster, If Gamers of St Johns can
persuade Britain 10 buy tho enormous amount
of lobster now left hand by closing OF
the usual German market Newfoundland is
absolutely cut off from q market, and the
canned lobster is ping up in tremendous
volume. 1t will be sold cheap If Britain
wants il.
During the Revolutionary War some gen
eral or other, sitting under an oak tree. Of
fered common soldier, who complained OF
the comin!ssary part Of his meal OF acorns,
Another nigh officer. finding himself in com
pany OF men Of the line. who thought tbev
were going rather short on chicken. tool,
them to his private mess and had a niece Of
army horse served roasted, TO teach them
humbleness. So far as history records tho
men managed to cat practically anvthirr
that came along.
War is great leveicr Of men and politics
and II is also leyeer OF the human s,om
ach. Whoever took with him to the from,
a fastidious palate has had opportunity to
think 1t over.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Book Selection for Public Schools

WIHEN the State Board Of Education meets
w next week to select the boots that will
be used in the public schools next year. tho
usual wranglins Of book publishers and Other
conflicting interests may be expected with
confidence. Unless experience proves y
highly inefficient teacher there viii he IN"
usual charges and counrercharges. crimina.
tons and recrmina,ions, abuse OF rival pub
ications and the like, that make these occo
sops so satisfying TO the lover OF all forms
OF indoor sport
Already there are signs and portcnts tina,
give promise that the coming meeting viii
be quite Is interesting as any that have nro
ceded IL. Speaking seriously ali this l. m,
fortunate however customary throughout
The country. II ought 10 be possible one
would think, for experts TO reduce the matter
Of textbook selection 10 some more satisfac-
tory basis.
Obviously, the books chosen should no
adapted to the needs of the schools and ,hoir
pupils. and should be substantially as good
as the best. They should be as cheap as limi
tations OF quality permit, SO that parents
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15

may not be discouraged. because of the high
price of textbooks, from sending their chill
dren TO school. They should not be changed
without substantial reason, because when
textbooks are retained year after year. it is
possible for the children of family to use
them successfully, each child passes
through the several grades. There are
sound considerations Of policy. other things
being equal why preference should be given
10 books published within the State.
Probably there will be no dissent on the
part of any member Of the Board of Educa
ton from these general views. The difficulty
lies in applying general rules to special cases
There the board has our sympathy and con-
dolence, not to speak of our prayers that 1t
will be able to satisfy itself and the public,
even if some OF the publishers remain Il trf4le
aggrieNed.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15

ia"s' decide their deBtincs. Until such
power III possessed by these millions, all peace
~, III, EUROPE Will remain necessarily transitory
what Is true of the Slavs OF Austria j Hungary
Is true OF the Poles of German Poscn, the Danes
VI ochleswis. the Franco Gcrmans OF Alsace-
lorraine, tho Poles and Films OF Russia Be-
yond all else. this tremendous conflict Is develop
ing into war OF Independence, n natural and
logical consequence of the other great wors
of the last century. All that capitalists hiwh
finance. tho men who control millions could do
20 , avert the war was done All that socialism
could do done in tho previous years in
preaching against war and mlitarsm. But
finance and socialism alike broke down In tho
lace OF the oldest and the newest of human
Sun.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15

mound out in longhand his column.
or vivid prose. Stirred every drop OF
what you might call ones intellectual
sporting blood. OF his opinions know
little, OF the Justice OF his attacks less,
ana. to be quite frank. suspect he
Is something of trouble maker. But
as he stood there. bundled UP in his
oVercoat and cap. in that chilly lodg-
house room. witty. unsubduad fun
OF hSht and Of charm, he seemed to
stand for That wonderful French spirit
FOR it's ardor aud penetration, Il.
iusion OF sense and sensibility. its tire
less Intelligence and unGuenchahle fire."
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Slang a la Sunday
philadelphia Evening Ledser.>

philadelphia Evening Ledger.)
Said lawyer across tho breakfast
table Of house I'm a street where milk
bottles do not clinle on the front door
step o. mornings. where the Limousine
Is seen more frequently than the huck-
ster's cart, not block from one of
the corners OF Rittenhouse SQUARE. If
you Will:
Put across another cup of coffee, you
pin-headed, low-brow, anemic, rum
soaked mutt, or I'll jump over at you
and land with my heels on the back of
your neck"
"All right" replied his wife calmly.
but don't forget those tickets for the
opera Tonight, you paddle bra ncd
yap."
And. similarly, when an art for arts
sake" young woman, whose pin money
sets her fond parents bank account
back $500 month. crashed into an
open switch on BeethOven's sonata i'm
C-flat minor in the course of her ST.
an-hour music lesson, she was not
particularly fiurried by Herr Won Vots-
hisname'B smashing comment in part
as follows:
why, you stiff-necked, dog-kissinp
tea drunkard, you haven't got the in
tellcct to keep a self winding clock
going, you poor, frowsy- headed, devil
dancing simp."
To which the young lady replied:
"If you'd cut out your beer-guzzling.
I4imburger-s pals and get some
Judgment into that billiard ball that
rattles around inside your green velvet.
organ grinders monkey hat, you'd he
able to discriminate between n woman
with temperament and an ivory
breaker"
She gave another example of tho new
tongue that liz fascinating the leisure
classes OF the city these days later. and
was accordingly asked for an explana-
ton by man who does not read The
newspapers.
why. the English language has been
giVon new lease on life" she on
plained IT'S all Mr.. Sundays doing
Since no reached town evcrybody.s hoen
talking 1t. It's tho most picturesque
style of language that ever came along
Thomas Carlyle would have fallen for
1T and thanked his stars to have gotten
such invigorating suggestions for his
style. ~ '
"if Kipling had had a Whit OF IL
thcre'd have been n stronger .Kin,' In
the world to-day, and as for John Mase-
heid-well, It's not too late for hin, to
make whole new hair-raisine noem
out OF this material. F,',
DO you get mo. you hollow headed
bum?"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
The Bright Side of Life
After Information.

The 1agman could not leave until tho
limited express. due at two minutes of z, had
safely passed. Ono night 1t late. About
twelve minutes past the gnteman hoard II In
the distance and seized his red lantern The
engineer was making up lost Time but broucht I
his train to standstill the wave OF tho red
light. lie jumped off and ahead TO find out
why he signaled
What made you siGnal?" he demanded
angrily, seeing no danger.
what kept ye?" calmly questioned the gate
man-Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15

Papa" queried tho minister's small son. ''is
1t true that we must be born again before we
go to heavcn?'
$50 tho Scriptures teach us. my boy" was tho
reply.
Well don't want to be born again." said
the little fellow. I'm afraid might be born
q girl the next time."-Chlcago News.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Saving Trouble.

The dentist had Just moved into n place prcvi-
ously occupied by baker, when n friend called.
Pardon momont." said tho dentist,
while dig off those enamel letters OF Bake
shop from tho front window"
why not merely dig Oft the B' and lot II
60 at that9" suggested tho friend-Boston
Transcript
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
a Kindly Criticism.

Donald an old Scotch beadlc who oflciatc cd
in highland kirk where the minister mover
ii bright star at any time, believed In long, ram
bling sermons stranger asked him his
opinion Of tho sermons "Ah. wecl." replied
Donald. you'll no get to say anything
against them, for they're a very guild; but I'll
Just remark this much. Tho hoginnin's nyo over
far frae the end, and II wad greatly improve tho
force of 1T if he left DOT a that com In
atween.' New York Globe
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
Following Precedent.

"hat ala you do" asked the old friend
when AIR. lI'ngerlons topped his ten-yoar
courtship with Il declaration of love and nm
offer of MARRIAGE" "
expressed surprise, of course" said Mr.
mh,ser!ong hancee DO you suppose / don't
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15

ten "A What did that
hostile aviator do when your
men commenced firing?
Captaln-He thought he had
us up In the air. and the firing
was q joke, but even at that
he fell for it.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
The Pessimist Says:

before Billy Sunday to this town
want chance to talk to him. He is better
equipped than any one I've heard of to exnress
my views on some of my acuuaintnnccs