davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
OSBORNE TALKS TO Y. M. C. A.
Prison Warden Urges Undetermined
Terms for Offenders.

YoNKERs, n. Y. Jan. 10--"I don't ex-
poet the wave OF righteousness at the
prison will last forever: / expect there
viii be a break some time, but just now
the men are giving me "A square deal and
| am treating them with common sense"
eaid Warden Thomas Mott Osborne Of
Sing Sing prison in "A talk to several hun
dred members OF the Y. NJ. c. A this
afternoon in the Hamilton Theatre.
81 have been called n theorist. and Il
has been said OF me that many Of my re-
forms were impraCticable," he continued.
zone of my theories has been 10 make
the cells habitable for the inmates. They
were not ft for pigs to live in. I am
giving the men a square deal. not luNuries
] am trying to get them into a proper
state of mind so they can return to society
willing 10 set aside their old lives. ! do
NOT want 10 leave tho prison with q
grudge."
The speaker urged that indetermnate
sentences be imposed on Offenders so they
could DO set free when the proper time
came"
Warden Osborne said that in December
last there had not been a single case OF
disciplining an inmate, but that during tho
were disciplined He also said tho out
put OF shoes was 1000 pairs more last
December than 1t was year ago.
Tho building OF a new prison was urged
by the warden, and he said he hoped the
people will back him In his attempt TO
get money from the Legislature for this
purpose.
Earlier in tho afternoon, IN speaking 10
the inmates OF the prison, Warden
Osborne said he believed the sufferlngs 81
the people of Poland had been lost sight
of in the widespread Efforts 10 succor the
Belgians. After a brief account OF the
pitiable plight of many Poles the warden
proposed that the convicts begin knitting
comnorters and garments for the Poles.
He promised that he would himself knit
one and asked how many would help.
There was an immediate and en-
xhusiastic response Every man In the
prison chapel rose TO his feet and amid
cheers for Our warden they shouted as
suranoes of cooperation.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
WHITMAN TO CONTROL
CITY'S CIVIL SER ICE
Investigators Expected Soon to
Recommend Dismissal of
Commissioners.
ORDWAY FOR STATE BODY

ALBANY, Jan. 10.--Gov. whitman ex-
poets TO name two civil service commits
sions by February I. one FOR the State
and the other for New York city.
1t is reported that the State Comm ssion
OF the conclusion OF the inquiry into the
New York city commission will recon-
mend the dismissal OF Its three members,
putting into Gov. Whitman's hand the
power OF selecting the new board for New
York. Under a projected reorganization
OF the State Commission the Governor will
have also the naming Of three men for
the State board.
The creation OF a committee on civil
service by the state Senate following the
declaration of the Governor in his mes
sage to the Legislature that the way TO
keep down the state payroll was to en-
force the civil service law Indicates that
the leaders OF the Republican state or
ganizatlon are not In accord with the
Governors strict adherence to the LITTER
and spirit OF the civil service provision
Of the Constitution.
Since GOV. Whltmans views on civil
service were made public through the
Legislature the Republican organization
leaders have learned that the Governor
intends to name Samuel H. Ordway or
the Civil Service Reform Association as
head OF the commission. +. l.. Allen,
newspaper editor In Jamestown as the
second Republican member, and william
Gorham Rice OF Albany or ex-senator
Frank L. LOOMS OF Erie as the Demo
cratic member.
GOV. whitman is bent upon reducing
the State payroll materially and feels that
he will be unable to do this II there il not
a rigid enforcement of the civil service
laws. The Governor seems to believe that
the applicants for Jobs who can obtain
the political influence cannot get places
on the civil service eligible list and that
II appointments are confined to the eligible
list there will be no effort to swell the
state payroll and the heads of depart
ments will not be concerned over the
question OF placing all of them.
1t was learned tonight that the Gov
ernor would be able to avoid any conflict
with the Republican Legislature over leg
islaton eliminating the present State civil
Service Commission. lie expects that the
two Democratic Commissioners, Judge Neu
and DR.. Wolf, will resign by the end OF
the month after they have made n report
on their investigation of the work of the
New York city Civil Service Commission.
Judge Neu believes that this investigation
will be finished this week.
1t In anticipated that Judge Neu and
DR.. Wolf will report that the New York
city commissioners should be removed
from Office for violations Of the civil ser
vice law and recommend that new COM
missoners he appointed These commits
sioners so appointed by the state COM
mission would have to be approved by
Gov Whitman before their appointments
would become effective
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
Tho Capture OF Vera Cruz.

IN presenting medals TO thirteen sea-
men OF the navy for bravery displayed
in the taking OF Vera Cruz by sailors
and marines OF Admiral FLErCHER's
squadron Secretary DANIELS said that
he had no authority TO bestow medals
upon the officers engaged; but he read
the names of officers who showed
themselves worthy OF the highest
honor" and added that he had asked
Congress to grant him the necessary
authority. The names read by the
Secretary made long list Of navy and
marine corps officers led by Rear Ad-
miral FRANK r. FLETCHER, the COM
mander Of the feet at Vera Cruz II
IS to be noted that most OF the men
who received medals took part I'm the
capture of the custom house under
heavy fire from the buildings on the
waterfront.
A question has been raised whether
these medals could have been awarded
except for gallantry IN battle, and 1t is
an interesting question because the Adj
mlnistration has contended that the
occupation of Vera Cruz was not an act
of war. The answer Is that under
Section 1407 of the Revised Statutes
medals can be bestowed upon sen
men distinguishing themselves IN battle
ar bv extraordinary hcroism in the line
Of their profession" provided they have
been recommended for promotion to
forward warrant officers" II the tax
ing OF Vera Cruz was not an act Of
war, we suppose that the medals pre-
scented at the New York Navy Yard
on June were won by Extraordinary
heroism" IN the line of the naval pro-
fession. II seems to be a distinction
without a discernible difference in this
remarkable case.
We earnestly advocate a proper rec
ignition by Congress of the officers
who distinguished themselves nj Vera
Cruz. Shall It be withheld because the
President clings TO the sophistry that
the operations there did not constitute
an act of war? The Secretary of the
Navy has provided a list OF deserving
officers, but he has complicated the
matter by including officers who, we
believe, did not take part in the hard
fighting ashore. Congress has a duty
10 perform, and there should be no
hesitation in performing it because Mr..
WILSON has embarrassed himself and
the service by quibbling about the char
acter of the capture OF Vera Cruz.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
management of the educational plant

management of the educational plant.
They would appoint the Superintendent
of Schools, by whom the technical work
OF the schools would be directed. Such
division Of responsibilities, 1t is con.
tended, would simplify the administra-
ton of the schools and make for econ
omy in expenditure and the elimination
OF friction between the professional EN-.
ployees of the department and its head.
The bill has not yet been subjected
to the scrutiny that must precede any
general Endorsement Of its terms, but
the reduction in the size OF the board
has been advocated by practically every
authority on the subject and is in har-
mony with the tendency to centralize
authority and responsibility.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
PLArNFrELD, n. j.. January 0.
MIR. WHITMAN'S REFORM.
Cynical Representation OF PessimistIc
Citizen.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suN--Str: I
have been forced to do some thinking by
the reports | hear about tho great chop
ping business in which my good friend
Governor Whitman is about 10 engage.
was particularly struck by his re-
marks about what he wants done about
our election laws. He prefers TO go back
to tho system which covered only Greater
New York and Westchester county. Why
does he want TO let the farmers up State
so back 10 their old system?
To save money, he says fear this
grand stand reform business amounts 10
nothing but a blind. A great army OF
offlceholders are TO be discharged TO save
money. Don't you know that tho places
will again DO filled before twelve months
by Republican strikers? Sure!
The Republican party established the
metropolitan elections district so that 400
deputy superintendents could be appointed
each year for forty days at IS day.
That was pure political graft-s2. 900 a
day for forty days-divtded equally be-
tween the Republicans and Tammany.
For years that steal has been going on
Governor Whitman knows about H. Why
didn't he say he would knock out that
piece OF robbery
The hangers on OF tho Republican and
Tammany organization clubs get that
graft every year. INQUIRER.
NEW York, January ..
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11

serve business could be given than by
doing businesslike things. Would there
be anything businesslike in launching
the Government in one line Of trade and
industry after another only to conduct
it at loss until everything and every
body in the country was losing money?
Why should the Government lose money
in everything 1t undertakes, from the
Post Office to the Panama Canal, and
why should 1t undertake anything IL 1t
Is sure 10 lose money therein2
Al the present moment there are the
gravest indications that the Treasury
will be bankrupt by the middle Of the
year. There is more than lively pros
pect OF Government bond sales to All
up the hole which the appropriations
of an extravagant Congress will leave
IN Government funds, despite the i'm
position of novel and extraordinary
taxes. Yet the head OF the Government
coolly contemplates the enlargement of
the almost inevitable deficiency by urg-
ing the Ship Purchase bill.
The purpose eyinced at Washington
by the party In power to put the bill
through in spite of the dsapproval and
opposition OF business men Is fragrant
demonstrat ton OF the anti-business char
acter OF politics which still survives
the significant vote of the country last
November.
Instead OF passing the bill for Gov
eminent merchant marine Congress
should amend the antitrust law to per
NIT combinations for the export trade
so as TO enable American merchants,
manufacturers and financlers the more
successfully 10 meet foreign competi-
ton. This is something which business
has advocated as most likely to expand
our foreign commerce. hut precisely be-
cause business asks for such legislation
Congress shows disposition to do
something else.
And yet there ore those who still in
sist that 1t is not fair to brand our
countrys politics of recent years as
utterly aDtiIbusiness
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
DRUG CASES IN COURT INCREASE,
Special Sessions Report shows Ro-
suit of New Law.

The annual report which is 70 BE- made
to-day by Frank l.. Smith, Ohief Clerk Of
tho Court OF Special Sessions, shows an
increase OF moro than 900 cases in tho
complaints received In tho adults part Of
the court during the past year.
majority Of these cases were VIOLA
tons OF the statutes against tho improper
use OF opium cocaine and heroln. During
tho past year hardly a session of tho
court has been called IN which there were
not several cases OF this nature on the
calendar. Tho greater number OF trials
OF drug fisnds IL attributed 10 rho wider
scope which the Boylan law gives 20 tho
police and tho courts IN dealing with ths
narcotic evil.
on the other hand, there has been a
reduction OF about 500 cases IN ths
Children's Court, the Juvenile part Of
Special Sessions. l7.52S "grownups' hay.
ing been arraigned, as against is,sis
youngsters
The court imposed fines agEregatnE
sl43,SSS. OF which sSAS77. mora than
half, were paid. The other fines wers
either RENTED or worked out IN Jail
The Justices continued 10 place much re-
lance in the probation system, which has
proved successful In the past In 1910
1907 prisoners were placed on probation,
The period OF probation was completef
satisfactorily by l,041. and A. prpssnH
1856 are still under supervision by mo
court.
In tho Chlldren's Court tho probation
system was oven more favored. a total or
1905 offenders having been placed On
probation and tho terms OF t44t having
been terminated. Children 20 the number
Of 1914 were transferred 10 disciplinary
institutions
Tho boys who were arraigned Ersatls
outnumbered the girls, 1852 OF rhe
former being brought 10 court. as agains,
2.464 OF the latter.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11

sentiment is factor the impulse is to
turn the accused person loose.
In the cases OF passion the result Is
not likely to be affected one way or the
other by the nature of the penalty. But
as regards the outlaw class, the Grim.
inals who live only to prey on society,
in whose cases convictions can be and
are obtained on proper evidence, the
proposed reform" in the name Of nm
overstrained humanitarlanism,i is simply
the disarmament Of the peaceful section
of the community Of its only protection
against those who are always ready to
kill.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
NEW York, January >.
Ocean Fretgbts on wheat.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: From
the Presidents speech yesterday I take
this paragraph
Do you know. gentlemen. that the ocean
freight rates have gone mp in some instances
TO ten times their ordinary ngure. and that
the farmers OF the United States. those who
raise grain and those who raise cotton
these things that are absolutely necessary
70 the world AS well to ourselves--oan =
not get any pront out Of the great prices
that they are willing to pay for these things
on the other side OF the sea because the
whole profit Is eaten ~ by the extortionate
charges FOR ocean carriage?
! hope you will not le; him get away
with such rough stun as this.
Every man who grows, buys or sells
grain knows that the ocean freight is paid
by the foreign buyer. The farmer pays
not one penny. WYE
New York, January o.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
should New York Havo a Smaller
School Board?

Ever since the present city OF New
York was erected there has been dis
satisfaction with the Board Of Educa-
ton and it's operations, although many
respectable aud competent men and
women have held membership in It.
Consisting of forty-six members, II has
been declared to be too large, too slow
10 act and from its size and It's neces-
sarily involved processes inefficient for
the task laid on IT, Several schemes
for It's reformation have been proposed
all OF them providing for a smaller mum
her of commissioners, and one OF these,
which has the support Of the State De
partment Of Educa ton, will be urged on
the Legislature this winter.
Under the plan outlined nine or
eleven unsalarIed comm ssloners would
replace the present forty-siI, and to
tnem would DO entrusted the business
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
$4,000 20 stop sIanderers.

The $4,000 appropriated by the su-
preine Council of the Knights Of ColUm.
bus Will be used in the nationwide move
ment Of the Catholics to protest aealLst
alleged slandorous and Indecent pubhca-
lions and the organization OF societies
pledged TO drive Catholics out OF public
life. The actual campaign viii be car
ried along by the Commission on Reilly
ious Prejudice, authorized BY the Supreme
Council of the Knights Of Columbus and
which has been In session at the Waldorf
with Supreme Knight James a. Flaherty
and Supreme Secretary w. J. McGinley
for the past two days
The members of the commission are
Col p. H. Callahan OF Louisville. Ky,
chairman Joseph Scott. president Of he
Board OF Education and tho Chamber ot
Commerce OF Los Angeles, Cal; Joseph
G. Pelletier. District Attorney OF Boston,
Mass. Albert @. Bagley. president Of tbs
Vancouver, h, C.. Board OF Trade and
Thomas 4. Lawler OF Lansing, Mich for
mer Assistant Attorney General OF tho
state of Michigan.
The commission viii endeavor 10 learn
the cause OF the movement against the
Catholics
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
THE INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH.
MIR. wilson's Remarks Treated by Plain
business Men.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--Sir: Presi-
dent Wilson said at indianapolis:
Let me instance a single thing. want
to ask the business men here present II this
Is not the FIRST January in their recollection
that did not bring a money stringency for
the time being because of the necessity Of
paying out great sums Of money by way OF
dividends and the other settlements which
come at the first Of the year
President Wilson no doubt overlooked
the fact that the poor condition OF bust
ness which has existed for months past
especially in the South and East, to-
gether with the reduction and suspension
OF dividends and interest. let alone the
amount of money not required on account
OF unemployed labor. has tended to pre-
vent money stringency at this time OF
the year quite as much, II not more than
the creation OF Federal reserve bank.
A CONSTANT READER.
NEW York, January 2.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11

There can be no doubt as TO the eff
cheney OF some OF President Wilson's
legislative DEGREES. New Jersey is gar
uerng a full harvest Of results from the
Seven sisters" laws which he insti-
gated when Governor. The report OF
the Secretary Of States office shows a
falling off OF 662 in the number OF new
corpora tons chartered in the State in
1914 as compared with 1919. the year
before the sisters. There is a decrease
In revenue from this source OF $780,
730.OS. The Board OF Assessors reports
a total drop in the annual corporation
taxes OF Ss3,s37. For the first time in
the history OF the state there was
reduction in the number Of corporations
assessed. The new freedom in New
Jersey seems TO mean freedom to get
out Of business or out OF the State.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11


Tue hrst English woman to hav. sp.esh
With a Sultan OF Turkey was Mary Fisher,
. oualeress. who in 1857 undertook to con
vert tho Commander OF the Faithful to
Christianity, She travelled by water 10
smyrna and then tramped 20 Adrianople
about 600 miles away, where Mahomst Nv.
vas encamped with his army. After many
attempts Mary found some one bold enough
90 tell tho Grand Vizler that "a woman wLs
come who had something to declare from
the Great God 20 tho Sultan"
Hs arranged for an audience with his
master. at which three dragomans were In
attendance as Interpreters snd Mahom.t
was 80 impressed with what he heard that
Wills unwilling TO become a Christian, he
desired that Mary should stay IN his do
miuions. When she insisted on returning
he orered her an escort, saying: II would
not Tor snythinE that YOU should come 70
the least hurt" She got back safely 10
nnkaAd and We. honored ever aftsr am on q
sss fsiiow Gu.isIs &c she that sssAs a
49, 9EaaA gsHrhN
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
NOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.
Ono Philosopher Who Refuses 20 lie
D0Nncnst.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir: The
melancholy prophets are upon us. Those
critical affinities OF a dying civilization,
Christianity and socialism. are both de-
clared bankrupt. Social reform was last
seen describing a spiral curve into nebu-
lar regions. Moral values have left the
hiGhroads and are now exclusively
checlcmated by reality.
That tiny speck OF the divinity called
mind is whirled through a Futurist
Rondo.
Is It our twilight Let's have a dance
with sanity. Why perpetually zigzag be-
tween extremes: devil and angel. civiliEa-
ton and barbarism? our brains are
symbol cholSed. We can no longer Hive
in lucid atmospheres. Blue Is hateful to
US
Nothing goes TO smash in this world
except our illusions. The uprootinB OF
anything fundamental TO society at a
given time involves serious consequences,
but not anarchy. Civil wars, insurrec-
tons wars destroy a temporary equilib-
rum and are followed by a period OF
reconstruction IN which n now equilib-
rum is effected Thus society II neither
wholly static nor wholly dynamic, but
represents a rhythmic process In which
there il no moral current but many
pathological undercurrents
This war Is GENERALIZATION on ho
grand scale of latent impulses, repressed
ambitions. Whenever tho human wishes
20 transcend his limitations you have a
danse macabre.
We shall convalesce. The cosmic
thinkers will como to earth. The social
lists will clean house and open tho win
dows. Tho church will be rich in ser
mons. There will be new Dances Per-
haps tho German. will learn q little
rhythm. Futurism will become q mo-
phitic memory and music will enamel
pate itself from tubular gongs.
And the cobwebs that clog tho mind
will be swept away by this simoom.
ABRAHAM SOLOMON.
NyVv YoRK January O
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
The narren Generation,

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir. A.
suming, for.arguments sake that Presi-
dent Wilson is right In saying dhe Repub-
lcan party has not had a new idea in
thirty years. What'new political ideas OF
value have the past thirty years seen?
For such crazy novelties as free sill
YER Government ownership Of railways,
Government choking OF enterprise, Gov
eminent by commission and sub-commis-
sion and special committees. and such
stale old pseudo-blessings as the initiative,
referendum and recall, let the sideshow
owners swell with pride. They are well
come.
II the Republicans had no new ideas,
they certainly valued the old ideas that
were OF tested workabilty.
Anyway, what is thirty years in the
big affairs OF men?
GEORGE HIRAM MANN.
NBw YORK, January 0.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11
Hard winter. Say. Father Rnrter.

81 don't deal in statistics" said Father
Rafter yesterday, but l know this has
been an unusually hard winter, for back
in November we had rs many men TO
help as ordinarily We would get in Jan
uary.
When a man comes 20 us for help
we make no distinction OF faith. II 10
asks FOR clothes he gets them wthou,
question unless he says he IL q Catholic
Then | try TO find out II he deserves aid
But never refuse aid to a non Catholic
n | did It might be said that that was
the reason"
The first thing Is to preserve mans
self-respect Father Rafter added. Ha
dispenses lodging ana meal tickets in such
a way that the whole world isn't sp.
prised of the mans accepting charity.
Nor even in such a winter as this does
the priest find It impossible to get men
work. Where he gets a man a lob he
often lends him money to carry him un-
Ill his first payday. Ninety-seven men
in hundred pay back in full. Father
Rafter said
Bishop Cusack took the Cardinals spe-
cial thanks yesterday to Father Ratter
and Father John j. 4. Murphy. his a.
sistant. lie confirmed twenty-five men
and gave "A solemn benediction in each Of
the chapels.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11

The inevitable consequence OF min
imum wage law, in the opinion Of
former secretary of the Womens Trade
Union League would he the non-em-
ployment OF workers unable to reach
the standard OF profitable output. This
is reasonable and sensible: but the ad-
vocates OF this particular legislative in
reference with business will reply that
the next step will be a statute abolish
ing efficiency standards in manufactur-
ing establishments.