davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
The Precise Speaker.

Every good American has a horror Of the
over-precise speaker GOTTEN" with the It" clearly
uttered, "nateyure" for the simple and unadorned
"natechur" "bean" for chin Ito represent
"been"), wear" for "wur" Ito represent the
written "were"), all irritate the practical in
stincts Of our democracy-in -a-hurry. Such fine
talk will not sell shaving soap or even bonds, TO
say nothing of winning votes So what chance
has it to survive.
Oddly enough, similar feeling has been stirred
up in England, where the standard Of cultivated
speech is a good deal more precise and uniform
than here. A teacher in Cambridge school stood
up before conference at Kings College, London,
and damned current English as slipshod and care
less The indeterminate vowel sound 'eh' had
crept in to an alarming extent, he asserted. Boys
and masters alike must learn to pronounce un-
accented novels more distinctly. The opposition
was far stronger. A Liverpool university pro-
lessor declared that he would be inclined 70 fog
any boy who talked so precisely. Slurring un-
stressed vowels was an old story in English
pronunciation. Carefully studied speech was
either absurd or vulgar. He preferred "land-
skip" to Landscape" "forred" TO forehead"
"ofen" to "often," and "pel-mel" TO 'pall-mall."
The conference ended with nothing done or
agreed upon, and the same result is usually the
fate of similar debates in this country. Ameri-
cans feel that they don't pay enough attention to
their speech; yet as soon as any one does pay
attention he is hooted down as an affected ninny.
And American speech continues its free and
easy course. II there is any alternative method
that will pitch our voices more pleasantly and
give us a richer variety Of vowel sounds without
turning into phonetic prigs, millions Of CRATE
ful ears will be glad to know Of 1t.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
Honest Advertising and Honest Selling

Mr.. Samuel Hopkins Adams.
Sir: I am writing you on behalf OF
Nine. Homer and myself to offer you
our sincere thanks for what you are
doing in the cause of both honest ad-
vertising and honest selling"
In our own small way We have been
trying to prove that money is not the
only thing in business, and this fact
makes US appreciate all the more the
unselfshness of you and your paper IN
undertaking this educational reforma-
ton in business methods.
IL has occurred to US what won
derful opportunity you have afforded
the Advertising Mems League, who, If
am not mistaken, claim Honesty IN
Advertising" for their motto. TO now
come out openly and show that they
actually mean what they advocate.
Let them get together and Of they
need financial assistance call upon out
side business houses whose methods,
and not merely intentions, are honest
in full page reproductions in those
New York papers TO whom principle
means more than just merely so many
thousand lines of advertising tell the
unsuspecting public Of this city the
truth you are bringing out in your ar
ticles
With our sincerest wishes for you,
your paper and what you stand for,
believe me, yours very faithfully.
T.. A. HOMER.
New York, Jan. %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
CHARITY VS.. JUSTICE
The Former Has Done More Coed
than Socialism, Argues Q Reader

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Charity is a mighty good ~
10 justice. the remarks OK wv
Oranges correspondent notwlthsss"
ing. Charity removes the unplessr'
ness, and while il is not cure. w
a step in the right direction. ChsnF
coming from the heart, has done ~
will do more than all the preaealip
Of Socialism.
The only difference between. 81,
Daniel Guggenheim's reform measce
and those Of +. W. Van Vslkeneais'
is cslmness against impetuosity. w
dream Of Utopia is the same 81 W.
Van Vslkenburgh's. We, hos''.',
know when to expect It, because w
wheels of progress are slow 10 VI.
ing. Patience is a virtue thst u J"
eign 20 Socialists.
There is no one so base as 70 w.
"Al's right. There is no need is'
change" All Socialists, bless ~.
all. are thinkers. They offer Woo
some theories sometimes very sh.
ing. OF what they propose We ~ ~.
out what is best and practical -,
trouble is they chase too many VIZ
the-wisps. SO long as SOCIALISTS -
impracticability continue 10 De
mate so long will there remain ~
ing OF resentment toward tnem'
Brooklyn, Jan. %, 1919.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
THE DIARY OF OUR own SAMUEL PRPYS

January 23-Up very betimes and by tram 10
Stockbridge, and did finish reading line Cus-
tom of the Country" which book should have peen
named "Nobody Home" in the phrase of the day
Never have known as vapidy selfish a woman
as the heroine, Undine Spragg But Mistress
Wharton will never, ] fear, do so good a story
again as ETHAN Frome.' My wife to meet me,
and reoiced TO see her in such high spirits and
better health. and / did tell her all the news OF
the town, and how the brochures of Saml Adams
are making a great stir, and of other matters
And did read her B. Tarkngton's Seventeen a
fine droll taye, and true, and we did have dinner,
and an evening of chatter with five or SIX ladies'
24-For a walk over the hills past Mr. Choate
the barristers house, and in the afternoon to +.
Morse's for tea, in the peasantest room ever
was in: and to Elise's for dinner with Mistress
Eaton. Wally's mother the loyeliest and brightest
lady have met in a twelvemonth. And we talked
Of women's dress and / said, It matters little
what she wears if but the wearer be well and
happv. And if she be i'll and unhappy, it mat
ters little what she wears Which Mistress Eaton
deemed wise observation, and said, shall write
il down. But | vowed to save her that trouble
and so have done so.
25-Up early, and with my wife to a. Riggs
the physicians, and met there Mistress Dorothy
Kissel. and she said she thought Three Sisters
a horrd book, for that it was unpleasant. So !
said little more To the city by train, and to the
office, which seemed confused and noisy after the
majestic quiet and peace of The wintry hills. And
nconsequential, too.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
News That's Fit to Print" "

Mr. Sam Hopkins Adams.
Sir: can't refrain from commend
ing your article in to-day's Tribune
regarding a concern on Fifth av
whose ads. have been attracting my
attention right along, and knew as
you do that the values they promised
were not there. A column in "1he New
York Times" either yesterday or day
before should never have been allowed
in paper that claims only news
that's fit to print" If they had
troubled themselves to investigate as
YOU have ! don't think they would let
even the regular ads. 90 into the paper
More men of your type will do a lot
for better conditions in advertising.
MAURICE MENDEL.
New York, Jan. %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26

we were right and that the immunites OF the
press cannot be stricken down through an hXecu-
tive subterfuge. The natural power OF a news
paper to protect itself as critic Of public sctlv-
tos ror,a;ns what Il was before the administra-
tons crusade was begun.
We owe it TO the Supreme Court that we
are not to have a Russian censorship under
which the public would be shut off from any
knowledge of public concerns, except what
it might obtain from the laudatory bulletins
of departmental press agent
We owe to the Supreme Court the reassertion
Of fundamental principle OF free government
principle which takes it out Of the power Of any
Cabinet officer or of any President 20 suppress
for political or personal benefit the free play OF
public investigation and public discussion
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
An Forum
<

sbides By our own precetena' W
established them 10 save our nations
life. Can we blame England for g,ns
them TO save her national life'
As an American should YOU no. n
spect American precedents? OF ccgr.
if it be that your patriotism is TO Ger
many, il might not be so blamevorieI
for you to try TO hurt England BY g.
thing US into war with her. but q
blame you for not fighting under Il,
German flag. Come out openly u .
German sympathizer and say. 81 do shh
10 help Germany and 10 get Amer'a
TO fight on our side" But II you pre-
fer, living IN America, 70 take sides u
an American, surely you will cpfms
fervently our going 10 war, especially
a war against England. As an Ars''
lean would you not feel that II w .
go 10 war il must be on the RICH. ne
the side of Belgium's defender, NJ
Of Belgium's violator?
GEORGE Y. s. MICHAELS
New York, Jan. %. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
To the Owner Of the S. S. Dacis.

Edward y. Breitung, Esq, IL Pine ST..
New York.
Sir: This mornings newspapers
credit you with claiming that you
bought the steamship Dacia out OF pat
rotism and with the desire 70 restore
the American flag TO the high seas. and
then quote you as saying that you have
ordered her to sail from Galveston to-
day. This order of yours seems, on the
face of it, TO indicate that your pat
riotism is 20 Germany and not TO Amer
lea, and that you want our flag lying
only over an ally of Germany. state
ments believed 10 have been made by
your authority credit you with a Ger
man father and French blood on your
mothers side-thus curiously enough
paralleling my own ancestry.
As an American, do you not see that
you are imperilling the peace or this
country, with nothing that you can
gain personally except needless eN-
pense. unless you are being used, per
Laps unconsciously, in an endeavOr 20
embroil America with England? II
sounds so fair and proper TO say that
the purchase of the Dacia marks the
beginning OF new era for American
shipping and that you have done your
best TO avoid trouble by sending her 10
a neutral port such as Rotterdam II
the British should seize her would II
rot seem to many as unfair? Would
il not excite animosity against Eng
land? Is this American patriotism or
German patriotism
What are the facts from a solely
American point Of view--not German
American" or "French-American," but
lust plain American" which believes
in our country and works for our coun-
trys peace and honor, yet is ready to
fight for "our country-right or wrong
that splendid instinct which, TO many
Of US, il seems AS if German diplomats
and bankers were trying 10 use 10 force
Us into war on their side?
England reserves the right TO seize
on the high seas contraband of war in
tended for an enemy or for an enemy's
use. We believe in this. We put our
belief into practice in the COS twhen
my father and my fathers father. by
the way. were fighting in the Union
army, when the application OF our be
lief IN sea power enabled Us 10 win the
Civil War. Do you not recall the Euro
pean protests when we seized ships
hundreds of leagues of our coast. and
the decision OF our own courts that THIS
was right7 Can We object If England
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
DANGER IN THE DACIA CASE
An American Of German Ancestry OPP
poses Aiding the Prussisn Cause.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: As a manufacturer | dread TINS
country being plunged into war. As an
American ! object to the efforts 10 IN
volve US with the Allies. As an Amer
lean of German descent I object TO the
men OF our blood who think we should
automatically be prepared TO put the
Kaiser's interests above those OF our
country. To me, if we are TO fight, we
should fight as my grandfather fougnt
against Prussian militarism, brutal
ity and ruthlessness. II | we're 10 put
Germany above America | should still
want the Allies to win in order that
Germany might by freed. The brutal
invasion and ravishing of Belgium may
be PURSUANT is not German. Since
the German states have sacrificed their
people TO Prussia, it is the duty Of the
world to free the German people and
to restore the true Germany-not the
monster now fighting against the light
in an endeayor 10 spread its Prusslan
darkness throughout the world.
| inclose a copy OF an open letter |
am sending Edward y. Breitung. Esq,
calling attention to an aspect Of the
Dacia matter. hope you will publish
this letter TO Mr. Bretung. hope you
will comment on il editorially. Anything
that may be done to give our people the
true perspective in the Daca case will
be insurance against war-and most
horrible war. in which. thanks TO trick
cry, we would be fighting against our
own ideals of freedom of will. freedom
of conscience and freedom Of thought
GEORGE Y. s. MICHAELlS.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
Going After the fsker'.

To the Editor OF The Tribune. =.
Sir: wish 20 congratulate you :,
the splendid articles you are now - q,
ming in your paper By Samuel hop'~,
Adams. It is about time some one - J,
af4r these takers. Your artisN =,
the drygoods store sales certain! 'p,.
right 70 the point, aud also tns .n yj
vious one on the stealing Oh n 'Jh,oer
and reliable names by cheap mOsH''
stores was excellent. rho
] notice great many peop.s r,s.
used 10 read other papers 10" IA
The Tribune. am one OF them, .s 80
know they do il for the sam, o., n.
as do that you are goihg So, ess
takers. And what few dishones aver
toners you might lose in your :; az, \,
Using you will gain thoassno'
euia''O" Oy 50 L. c. BIGLow'
New York, Jan. 10, 1919
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
Taking the Losses with the Profits

The decision of the United States Steel Cor
poration not TO reduce wages deserves a word Of
commentator. Though the great concern is do
ing Only about one-third of its normal business,
it is undoubtedly better able TO stand the hard
times than its 225,OOO workmen would be if they
had a cut in pay.
1t is coming TO be more and more generally
recognized in great business establishments that
10 give more attention TO the welfare of the ma,
chinery than Of the workmen is poor policy. To
lower wages or worse still, TO discharge large
numbers of workmen in time of industrial depres-
sion puts burden on the community which
sooner or later finds its way back TO the employ
ers in impaired work. increased taxes for taking
care Of the unemployed and the like. It is bet
ter for the biggest concerns to try TO stand the
strain of hard times as the Steel Corporation Is
generously doing.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
The Reformed Board of Aldermen.

Mr. McAnenys satisfaction at the record OF the
Board of Aldermen for the last year is bound to
be felt also by the voters who elected the fusion
board. Mr. Curran the majority leader, and the
men who work with him have given TO the city
for about the first time in the memory Of the
present generation a legislative body in which
the public may feel confidence. The aldermen
have deliberately renowned some of their old
"Drerogatves" and have taken to themselves the
privilege of hard work They have liberalized
their rules and reorganized their committee func-
tons. They have turned over to the Commits
sioner of Licenses the old license granting power,
out of which came graft and poitics-playing.
They have regulated outdoor Advertising they
have begun comprehensive revision Of the build
ing code; they have put end to the taXcab
trust: they have strengthened the sanitary code
and improved the motion picture ordinance.
These phases Of their work are important but
the most important thing Of all is the spirit
in the board which has brought alderman" from
almost the grade of epthet TO a title of dignity.
A few years ago there was persistent and by
no means limited demand for the abolition of
aldermen. on the ground that at best they were
useless and at worst were absolutely vicious. No
body now thinks of widespread graft in connec-
ton with the board. record such as it made
last wear is the best reason for its existence. 1t
showed genuine public service and sincere de-
sire to consider the welfare of the city.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
F;dbtine Fires by Preventing Them.

Fire Commissioner Adsmson's announcement
that the Fire Prevention Bureau had cleaned up
the 1900 complaints accumulated in the last five
wears means that at last the city, having disposed
Of critical fire hazards, may begin more syste-
matte work in fire prevention. When Mr.. Adam
son and Mr. Hammitt. chief Of the Fire Proven
ton Bureau. took charge, they had legacy Of
hundreds Of untouched complaints. Each repre-
sented the possibility Of disastrous fire. BY
working the inspection force overtime and utliz-
ing the uniformed fire fighters for inspection ser
vice they have brought this work up to date.
Henceforth the inspection Of this bureau can
he more complete, not for the immediate outstand-
ing fire hazard, but for any causes likely to BRING
about fire. What has been accomplished means
that within human limitations likelihood of an
other Asch Building disaster has been greatly
reduced What is to be accomplished will be an
extension of this degree Of prevention just as far
as energy and intelligence and industry can do it..
Mr.. Adamson and Mr.. Hammitt are quite alive to
the fact that the best way to fight fires is TO pre-
vent them 1t is a doctrine which the city should
heartily indorse.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
The Obesity Fakes.

Samuel Hopkins Adams, Esq.
Sir: ! wish TO tell you and The
Tribune that you are doing a most ex-
ccllent work in exposing the fake ad-
vertising of patent medicines. II you
will also expose the composition OF
such cures" as "Fat-off" creams, obes-
ity nostrums. including the A. d. S.
Obesity cures" and especially Dr.
Bradford's Cure for Obesity, Iodrhy-
drine I'm not sure Of the spelling,
not having the word before me at the
momont). the kresslin Obesity Cure
and the various bust developers" and
cosmetics generally so widely adyer-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
A FRIEND OF GERMANY
He Considers That the American PEG.
pie Are Waking Up.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: A constant reader OF The Trib-
une wishes 10 make a few remarks in
rebuttal 10 "A Fair Minded American"
who says lot OF absurd things which
he believes in, but | do not believe will
influence many of his countrymen, who
believe in impartiality and fair play.
The Kaiser merely follows a custom
'when he invokes the Deity. "Gott nit
uns" is the same as our an God we
trust" symbol on our coins, and is
principally used as a belief 10 get bet
ter fighting and more service from the
masses and soldiers OF the different
nations. We all know there are other
gods than ours who receive the same
homage and spur on their believers.
] object when your correspondent
blames Germany for forming an ALI
ance with Austria and Turkey. How
about England bringing in the Japs,
Africans, the hordes from India, Rus
STA and Portugal. Surely the weight of
fairness is on the side Of Germany.
Who is the foremost nation in the
world in regard TO education and civ
ilization? Her people can read and
write and think. Study up the per
centage Of lliteracy in her enemies and
you will find a very large balance IN
favor Of the Germans.
Let "A Fair Minded American" look
up the map and study the English
method OF trying to own the earth.
She wants 20 control the seas and
lands also. but ! am glad 10 read that
the American people have walked up
and can show that America is per-
fectly able 70 take care Of herself on
the seas. We don't hear much about
the British. She has the Allies fighting
for her. and when it comes TO divide
the spoil England will try to domineer
over the rest. Thinking Americans do
not place any reliance on her friend
ship for America. Look up the past.
1t is not favorable showing for a
friendly nation. +. RUESTOW,
Friend OF Germany.
Brooklyn, Jan. 81, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
A Few Words of Praise.
nel Honkins Adams.

Mr.. Samuel Hopkins Adams.
Sir: During the last month ! have
become a regular Tribune subscriber,
because / consider your paper is the
best in the city.
This letter is written under difficulty,
because ! am still on my back in bed
after a series of four operations, but
/ was so pleased with your Article Z
appearing to-day, that | could not re-
frain from sending you a few words
of praise. You are getting after the
evils of Misrepresentation which have
always seemed TO me so gross that
they should long ago have been at
tackled by some authority, such as the
District Attorneys Office. From the de-
cision obtained against kosofsky,
believe no further legislation would be
necessary to warrant prosecution Of all
these frauds.
Let me suggest another fourishing
fake the cut price raincoat business
under several Goodyear" names.
never realized the extent OF this char
latanry until | became q victim my
self of store on West 42d ST., near
Fifth av., long since vacated. Armed
with a written guarantee and protected
by the glib tongue Of a salesman,
felt sure | had my moneys worth.
Wien | discovered that water soaked
right through the coat and fastened
back with my written guarantee, there
was no longer any store on the prem
Uses.
an also greatly surprised to learn
of the attitude of The Globe" in the
Forsythe matter. Your open letter 70
Hearst and Pulitzer was very pertinent
and has my hearty approval
RAYMOND W. BRISTOL.
New York Hospital, Jan. %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26

The level Of these stories is so high that ONE
cannot pick and choose Each is most liked as YOU
read H. Mr. Chcstcrton deserves rousing cheer
in fact three rousug cheers for giving US another
series of real and fine detective tales. THOSE
WHO have had the luck not yet to see the earlier
volume concerning Father Brown will lose time
in going TO the bookshop the library 70 get hold
of + after reading this one To some Of US prac-
tcaly any detective story that keeps ONE guessing
is good enough.
The capitals are ours, and the sentence with its
pronominA variety, Miss Hildegarde Hawthorne s.
1t is from The New York Times Review Of Books.
81 suffered for 80 years. have found the only
NATURAL. method. No artificial means used"-Ad-
vertisement.
81 DIDN'T see w-w-why" hesitates Stas, "this-this
r-guy advertises anybody who ha-has stut-stut-
suffered for thrty-t-t-two y-years OUGHT to DIDO
II n-n-naturaly"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
A BATCH OF LETTERS TO
MR.. ADAMS
What Our Readers Think of
Dishonest Advertising.

Ny Dear Mr.. Adams.
Sir: I was delighted TO read your
article on Reduction Traps" Certainly
every one at the club read it, and re
ferred to the old song, THE Bowery,'
and | am glad TO know that there are
some people who have not forgotten it.
am sending marked copy TO my
folks in, Boston.
knew Mr.. Newell and his sons very
well, and felt sorry when they had
to give up the business. But others
came up on every side and sold cheaper
goods, as you say, for more money,
and got away with the bunk"
HARRY CONOR.
New York, Jan. %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26

To the Editor OF The Tribune. ,,rs
Sir: Print this in the larges. yd
YOU can spare; il ought to DC ssril
SSo a word. for il would save We W.,
If future Explaining. columns OF 'p"i /,
and columns of cable tolls. Bv. "
Something that il will take the gun. gum:
newspaper editors a long uine ~ ia
A new civilization IS oelhs vnh.s,st,
name is Germanie Inc s,n,
do-it-any-old-way era Is psf een.
day Of system, common sense ''
's' avn r. IUrHLRfokD'
New York, Jan. 10. 1919 -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26

tised. you will not only be saving wom-
ems money but their health.
Physicians are too ready TO recon
mend" certain patent cures" My own
advised me to take Sanatogen, but |
never found that the small bottle
purchased did me any good; so ! GER
tainly aid not waste any more of my
own or my husbands hard earned
money on that product. | am a
Yankee, and look twice at dollar be
fore parting with it for something
problematical. L.
Brooklyn, Jan. 16, 1915.