davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Recklessness or Fear?

The opinions Of politicians, as every
body knows. can be better judged from
their actions than their words; and not
unnaturally the women of the state arc
trying to guess from the actions OF the
present Legislature what the wise men OF
Albany prophesy will be the outcome OF
the suffrage referendum next November.
At first sight the result must be discour-
aging to the suffragists. With the exception
of the mothers pension bill, legislation
affecting women is receiving severe treat
ment. Mr.. Human cracks the party whip
to pass the cannery bills, which decrease
as far as possible the restrictions on the
working hours of women and children IN
the canneries. The bill abolishing the De-
partment of Weights and Measures de-
partment so necessary to housekeepers-
has already passed one House. Senator
Sage has introduced a bill which would
practically prevent the early closing OF
department stores. To all these bills femi-
nine voters would presumably be opposed.
The first inference is that the gentlemen
at Albany see little danger in antagoniz-
ing the women of the state.
But another Interpretation is possible.
If women are going to vote, legislation like
the cannery bills must be passed now or
never. The same thing has been noticed
before now in suffrage states; laws. OBJ
jectionabe to women have been rushed
through during the last session before the
referendum. Politicians have to deal first
with the present. They cross no bridges
they have not reached. At the moment
women have not the vote. Ingratiation
with the new voters may be left until
after November. The cannery bills may
not Perhaps women ought to see a
promise of victory in the very haste with
which bills opposed to their interests are
being taken up and passed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Respect for the Office.
ditor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue Of Thursday morning
| read with pleasure and regret the parody
of "Ahboob Bill Bryan" Il was certainly
clever, but may | venture to criticise the
growing habit Of publicly ridiculing men
holding high Offices in the government of
this country, in particular, the President
and Secretary of State? If We believe half
we read in the daily papers we learn that
Mr.. Bryan is not only incapable of repre-
scnting his high Office but is not giving it
the time and attention of which he is cspa-
bic; but as long as he is the representative,
why hold him up to ridicule? Does il not
put US i'm rather an ambiguous position
which other countries may justly criticise?
During ten-year sojourn in the Middle
West | had occasion 20 meet Mr.. Bryan
several times, both socially and politically,
and words cannot express my dislike tor his
manner and personality. | think when Mr..
Wilson made him Secretary Of State it was
decided rebuff TO the majority of voters IN
this country, losing many friends for Mr..
Wilson and causing much doubt as to his
ability and sincerity.
The fact remains that Mr.. Bryan is Score
tary Of State, and as such represents one of
the highest Offices in our country. Would
il not seem more dignfied for the American
press to protect him from ridicule, not as a
man but as a representative?
AN AMERICAN.
Railway, ~ j., April l, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04

the rules Of navigation, made quick action
imperative.
The commodore and other flag officers
of the Boston Yacht Club took the initia-
tive some fifteen months ago, when they
organized what is now known as the
United States Power Boat Squadrons, the
prime object being the compulsory exami-
nation of all power boat owners in the
"rules Of the road" at sea, and in the
proper use of whistle, flag and fog signals
and running lights, together with the use
of the chart, the compass and the lead
line.
Examinations are conducted by body
Of competent men approved by the Board
of Local Steamboat Inspectors and includ-
ing one naval officer, with the result that
those who pass receive a certificate equiva-
lent to second class pilots license and
are permitted TO fly the ensign adopted by
the organization, which is similar to the
regular yacht ensign with this exception,
that the stripes are blue instead of red.
The parent organization was incorpo-
rated in Massachusetts early this year,
and there are now ten squadrons in as
many harbors and eight more III process
of formation. Captains and pilots on
board large vessels no longer fear trouble
when they see power boat approaching
which is flying Power Boat Squadrons
flag.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
A Converter of Thousands.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir | have been reader of The Tribune
for number Of years. and have held it in
high esteem. | read very carefully your edi-
torisl on the 18th inst. respecting Secretary
of State Bryan, and the cartoon in the same
issue on the same subject. That | was dis
gusted with both spells it very mildly. 1t
had always been my impression that you ad-
yocated decency in public and private life.
Can you recall any other man, living or
dead, who ever persuaded the thousands of
people to pledge themselves TO lead tenn
perate lives that Secretary Bryan did at the
famous meeting in Philadelphia? It re-
quires no wild stretch of the Imagination to
understand that temperance means decency
in contradistinction to intempersnce. His ef-
fort vas for good citizenship. am sure any
sane man will concede that.
And the newsdealer wanted to know why
ask him to substitute another paper every
maning GEORGE WILSON.
Stamford, Conn, March 49, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Cheers for Bryan and Grape Juice.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: For decade, yes, for a century,
distinguished physicians, judges and Chris
tian ministers have been calling attention to
the evils OF intemperance 1t is true that not
all ministers have stood in the front rank
OF temperance reformers, but the ministry
as class has for long time and to-day
more than ever before advocated the claims
OF temperance.
The temperance movement of the last few
years reaches almost crest to-day, when
the King of England, his councillors and
leading people arc ready both to abstain
personally from, and to prohibit entirely,
the use Of Intoxicating liquor. This latest
word following so rapidly upon the heels of
the wonderful action of the Car in making
Russia a prohibition country and the great
advanced movements in France and other
European countries gives no little comfort
to the faithful ministers who have been
fighting on the right side against heavy odds
viii not the honest men of the world
admit that once again the preacher is right?
Three cheers for Bryan and grape juicel
DAVID G.. WYLIE
New York, April !, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: l thank you for "The Dilemma" an
editorial which cannot fail TO please every
suffragist
Since the "antis" would force woman TO
stay in "her place" their position becomes
untenable as soon as they concede her intel
lgence and right to even indirect repre-
sentation. Yet Miss Marjorie Dorman goes
further than this and calls woman suffrage a
of democracy, "sincc most women
are against it,"
Then, according TO anti-suffragsts, democ-
racy depends not on the will of maj ority OF
the people, but on the will OF most women, u
whose "place is home" However, if all the
people could vote and a majority of them con-
cluded that any prevailing institution was a
failure the question of its continued ex-
istcnce could sooner or later be brought to a
vote Then those husbands who agreed with
their wives would vote with them and those
who disagreed would oppose their wives.
Not only do the "sntis" contradict each
other, but themselves as well, for Miss Dor
man calls woman suffrage a violation OF
democracy and then proceeds to prove it the
opposite. LINDA L. CONTENT.
New York, March 90, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
THE. WRECKACE AT ALBANY
With Fear That Constitutional Con-
vention Will Bring More.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial of to-day entitled THE
Wreckage at Albany" is so good from the
standpoint of the everyday citizen that one
cannot resist saying so to you.
Born a wartime baby, as an inbred Repub-
iican | have watched our journals of the days
when Republicanism stood for something to
see if there would not come time when,
casting aside their partisan bias, they would
speak out for common honesty and plain
decency. 1t would seem from the above edi-
torial as though that time had arrived, and |
say fervently: Thank Cod"
would warn you, however, against using
up all your words of protest and criticism in
attending to the lapses of this present Legs-
lature, for you must remember that on its
heels will follow a constitutional convention
arranged for by one set of gangsters and
through the nscrutabe workings of Provi-
dence taken over by another whose ability
and appetite. when it comes to framing things
up for special privilege and against the peO-
pie, will make the boys of Murphy" look like
kids" cheating at marbles in an impromptu
sidewalk game at the close of school.
This is not a random statement, but the
result of the knowledge gained by twenty
five years of travel throughout the greater
part of New York State, which has brought
me into personal touch with a great many Of
the men who will be active in getting when
the getting is good" to use the words of ex-
Senator Bracket, spoken in regard to another
matter, but especially appropriate at this
time and place. W. A. f. CUMMINGS.
Ticonderogs, ~ Y, April 2, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: To-day there appears a letter in
your columns from d. Newton, in which he
asks the following question referring to
the overrunning and destruction of Belgium
and the sinking of merchantmen without
warning by the Germsns) Did or does
Uncle Sam contemplate making any effort
now to stop these, beyond expanding the
amount OF breath necessary to gently MUIR
muir, How awfuP?"
| would like to answer by another ques-
ton: How IS Uncle Sam going to stop
them? He may protest It's true, but with
what can be back protest? Certainly
nothing in the way of an army or navy.
If Mr. Newton and others can suggest
means 10 force a stoppage of these crimes
they will receive the cooperation of every
good American. If not, their protest to the
newspapers is worth as much as our protest
to Germany would be. o. n. VOIGHT.
New York, April 2, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
A Question of Veracity.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: To-day's DAILY Chronicle" (LOndH
reprints an article published IN yestefaH
sundays SUM-" written by General Won Be-
bardi. the man who proclaims the doeH''
that defence. properly understood, means y
ority of attack, that to defeat the WIGS
the invader it is always necessary to ih'''
him first, etc. This famous apostle OF pe''
and German Kultur writes.
There remains no longer any douo' -
Belgium long before the beginning Of 'ns'
made agreements with England in case S'''
Britain should become involved in war VI
Germany"
An official explanation Of the true p0sl.''
has already been given BY the Foreign VI.
in London. We will assume, however F"
arguments sake, that Great Britain mad se'
allv made military agreements with be's-
We know this not to be the case, bu' 81
if Belgium had violated her own neu''''
how is it that the German Chancellor :
ferred TO the passage Of German w.
through Belgium as wrong when Usi- =,
meant TO make good after the war! Iae -
is that the neutrality Of Belgium was Won
by Germany. 1t was not violated oy ue'l. H..
on August !, 1914, but ten or hfteen ~
ago, when she prepared her plans f0f 'D' ="
vasion of Belgium.
General Won Bernhard also declares u p,
article that England caused the war ~.
statements made by the Italian PRIME -
ister toward the end Of last year, Tow,
fgsten the guilt of this war upon Oei.s,
more clearly than anything IN the DIS, Gi'p''c :,
and papers yet published by the AliieS ~, i.
nor Salandra has explained win eoh ,.u :,
clearness that Italy had not sided WIN ),
partners in the Triple Alliance expressly
cause the war in which they are engss'It y,
a war of aggression. Signor Giolim ~, :,
produced kilograms which prove thS' H' ,Sl'
contemplated aggression in Serbia VI - !
and that she invited Italy and ue'"'''
join her. p.,rs.,!
Are we to believe General Won bein.sii
OF the i'a''s" '''''e D. O.
cessor?
London. March 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
British Merchantmen Combatants

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: By urging captains of the English
merchant marine to mount guns their
vessels and by offering them large money
prizes for sinking German submarines the
British Admiralty is unquestionably rcspon-
sible for such occurrences as the sinking Of
the Falaba. In the beginning Of their sub
marine blockade the Germans never torpe-
doed ships without first giving due warning,
but in the last month several submarines
have been sunk by British and French mer-
chant vessels, so OF course Germany was
forced to adopt more stringent measures.
few days ago a prominent New York
paper ridicued the German submarine block
ade and spoke gleefully OF the sinking Of
German submarines by merchant vessels
Therefore, by reason of the armament which
they carry and by reason of the prizes they
are offered for sinking German submarines
English merchant ships can no longer be
treated as non-combatants. Undoubtedly the
Fslabs tried to escape or summon help by
wireless or attempted some overt act which
threatened the safety OF the German sub
marine, and therefore she was torpedoed
without delay. All the indignant protests
of the English papers and OF the anti-Ger-
man press in this country cannot alter the
fact that England has been playing the game
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
a "Malodorous Survival.
e Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir. Your editorial "Pitiless Publicity
Wholesome is strictly sound, so far as il
goes. Is it not, however time to 90 a step
further and to ask why the legal action for
breach of promise, as a malodorous survival
of the common law, should not, like so many
other relics of the crude views of our ances-
tors, be altogether abolished? What place
has it in the twentieth century or among men
and women with decent view of marriage
relations?
1t is based on the atrocious theory that
marriage is mere commercial relation with
money value, and is disable By none save
blackmailers and dealers in sham love as a
mercantile commodity, and is an anomaly
and disgrace in modern Jurisprudence. This
and its twin monstrosity, the suit FOR aliena-
ton of affections, have not the faintest ex-
cuse for existence, and in common decency
should have been wiped out long ago. Is
there not intelligence and sense Of fitness
enough among our legislators to attend to the
matter without further delay?
JAMES F. MORTON, JR.
New York, March 80, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
The Storm.

Pity the innocent crocuses! On the
other hand, TO that hardy annual, man,
the storm may be considered to bring GER
tain compensations-or is this another
case of sour grapes? Certainly it dis
courages the wearing Of flimsy Easter
finery, which one of those chill, bright
days that have made Easter noted as a
pneumonia breeder would have enticed
forth only to convert into winding sheets.
And it provides an excellent opportunity
10 test that ancient superstition which
insists that if April, at the very beginning,
permits the old roue, winter, to give her
=. whirl, he will, through sheer exhaustion,
relinquish all further claim to her. Rather
d dizzying whirl this time.
But, seriously, a sunny Easter, resplen-
dent with gay apparel. an Easter which
ushered in spring as a thing of JOY, would
have been an incongruity in such year.
Better the bleak dirge of wind and snow
and rain. For here in New York, not
withstanding our peace and security, we
can share the dread of Will Twins Eng
lish companion, who supposed that the
spring was never before so unwelcome in
this world. Before the wheat is ripe
million fine, tall fellows will be under
ground"
No wonder Nature protests at the cele-
bration of such a season.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
FALABA'S RESISTANCE"
Her Efforts to Escape May Have JUS
tilted Her Destruction.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In your editorial this morning en-
titled "Not Real Parallel" you give an ex-
hibition Of your own brand of neutrality,
which very promptly kills any weight your
editorial might have possessed. After eX-
planning that Earl Grey's method Of starva-
ton Of women, children and babies leaves q
loophole of "chance for their lives, If they
cared to surrender as refugees or prisoners
70 the Allies or TO flee across the German
border into neutral countries" you say:
Non combatsnts killed when a submarine
torpedoes a merchant ship at sea have no
choice" Don't they sometimes have choice?
To be fair in this matter, don't you think the
captain of the Falabs endangered his pas
sengers when he crowded on all steam and
attempted to run away when told 10 heaVe to
by the submarine? Don't you think that
the equivalent of resistance offered" (Which
would cOndone the act Of the German sub
marine in your estimation) presented itself
when the captain of the Falaba used his wire
less ceaselessly for half an hour and at
tempted to escape? Can you clearly define
for me the brutality and barbarism of giving
even half chance of escape to the passen-
gers and crew Of ship whom you might have
legally drowned by sinking their ship while
you were chasing il?
| am not IAN ardent defender" o. any ma
tons "frghtfulness," as you put IT, but don't
you think this blockade running" of English
ships, whether they recognize the blockade
or not, might be made Il trife safer if an
armed convoy accompanied these non-com-
blatant ships until they had passed out of
the danger zone, or is the risk to the armed
ships too great to afford their weaker sisters
this protection? J. A. DEVLIN, NJ D.
New York, April 2, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Spend No City Money.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: | am amazed at the ineonsis"DH, !,
the average newspaper. On the one "'' I
talks economy as to city expenditure" -,
then turns around and criticises t n', I,
ernor for vetoing the garbage plant O'i I.,,,,
my judgment, the Governor was "a, nor,
right in that veto. BY that act ne MAJ " b, .
friends than he ever had before -, pL
consistent and vetoes every city o"' ,' Ss4,,.
increase the city debt or the an"'.' mus eo,.
every one Of these papers that arc s;n.
demning him will ultimately praise 20 vss
Ash understand it, the crux Of MS 49,. .I;,grs
that he declined TO sanction tne ~ arc %:
Of more city money until ITS hh"N'''
in order. native ..
Also. "a | understand it, the real mo-, :,
the bill was for the city to buiId p'ira1;-g
an estimated cost Of S2,5OO0OO. not mt. .,,,to,
the cost of land, and lease It 70 WV
on a profit sharing basis. "a bu
In the first place, as the cry vas -. u
the plant, you could just treble IN nor,
the next place, We do not want 80 t,a hs
nrodt sharing devices until we see =. .hsf.
citv is coming out in its present PiV"'
ing devices ,,.,t 40 Is 9
The one thing this city should NOT . ~ e,
snend anv money in building new en'.'F N,
until il strengthens out its hnanss' rhsss
wisest thing to do Is TO Just
good things will keep. $500, ,,,,>,y r.
VICTOR K. MELhhN'
New York, March 80, 1910 -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Transit and Women.
or of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: agree with "For Decency" that
crowding into a car already full is not con-
ducve to deicacy or refinement, but when
one has to travel in the subway trains dur
ing rush hours one must submit to being par,
Of the indelicate and unrefined crowd or re
main on the platform. 1t is deplorable that
a woman has to stand in car wedged among
a number of men some of whom. at least.
she would not touch with the end Of ten
foot polel. but what is she 10 do?
| wonder whether transportation facilities
will be improved when women have some
thing to say about municipal government
Or whether it is condition that cannot be
greatly remedied because of the unusual topo-
graphical formation of the island?
New York, March 80, 1915. L. B. ".
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Power Boats to Practise Safety First.

Thanks to the efforts of the officers
and members of the United States Power
Boat Squadrons their signal, Safety
First" has now become the slogan on
board nearly a thousand power yachts in
New York and Eastern waters. This class
of motor driven boat, by reason of its phc-
nomenal increase in numbers, size and
speed, was fast becoming a menace to
navigation. Frequent collisions, some
times accompanied by loss OF life, owing
to the crowded condition of our principal
harbors and the deplorable lack of even
elementary knowledge by boat owners of
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Billy Sundays Opportunity.
The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: According to q headline, England
Wants Billy Sunday" This is a mistake. 1t
is Germany that wants Billy Sunday just
now. He is religious man, and so is the
Kaiser Both believe in the power of prayer.
If Mr. Sunday goes TO Germany now | will
help to pay his expenses. He is needed over
there now very much. Indeed, it may be a
blessing 20 both countries. | hope he will
go. / tell YOU there is great open field in
Germany for Billy Sunday just at present.
That is the right place for him now.
think that the United States might be
able TO spare him for some time. The Presi-
dent OF the United States will give him a
leave Of absence, also letters TO German Off
cials and the Kaiser.
JOHN HENRY SMITH.
New York, March 20, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04

wing. might DO trained for war purposes
70 attack the enemy's Zeppelins and
dirigibles."
II will be seen Immediately that the
whiAHc buff, with its more powerful but
less discerning attack. will be more ser
viceable against the dirigible, the larger
target, than against the aeroplane. Stil''
this slight limitation Of its usefulness
only emphasizes the resourcefulness OF
Nature in providing match for every
one of mans destructive innovations. All
that remains now to complete her record
in this respect is to teach the founder
TO ram the submarine.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
NEW ARRIVALS.

One night st. Peter at the gate
OF Heaven sat disconsoate--
Arrivals had been few;
When, looking down toward fiery Sheol
With pity, such as saints can feel,
He spied motley crew.
Hello! Old Scratch" he then inquired,
"A sight like this quite makes me tired;
On earth what do they do"
Then Satan said, with devilish glee,
These Christians whom in He'll you see
Women and children slew;
They dropped down bombs from out the SIX
And blew up ships, nor reasoned why,
But now they're all much wiser;
Along with murderers. thieves and liars,
They're roasting here in red hot fires,
The while they curse the Kaiser"
FITZ NIGLE.
New York, April /, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Words Fail.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: As the atrocities committed by the
Germans have reached their climax with the
sinking of the Falaba with hef passengers,
and as there is no single word il the English
or in any other language to express the
meaning Of the horrible crimes committed
by the Germans, as the words murder, savage,
pirate, etc, are too mild terms for such
crimes, would suggest that we coin a new
word-Falaba.
Falabasm shall mean something more even
than a combination of murder savagery,
piracy, etc. Henceforth we should call Ger
man morality Falabaism and German
Fslsba. AN AMERICAN.
New York, April 2, 1915.