davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
"Never | ouched Me"

The March American Magazine con-
ta!ns an interesting editorial about
Thomas A. Edison and a chronology OF
his life and achievements. prepared by
William II. Mcadowcroft, who for
thirty years has been one OF Edisons
chief associates The article is accom-
panied by remarkable photocraph
Of Mr. Edison. This photograph was
rescued from the thick Of the fire which
devastated the Edison plant in De-
ccmbcr The frame was charrcd and
tho glass covering the photograph was
cracked and biackcncI by the heat. but
the picture itself remained unmarked
The great inventor. with characteristic
humor. scrubbed on the margin. Never
touched me" An extract from the cdi-
torial accompanying the chronology
follows
ON December 9th the huge manu-
featuring plant Of Thomas ~ Edison,
situated on the Valley Road. Orange,
y. j.. was visited by Il devastating
fire which dcvourcd buildings, appara-
tus and supplies. whose value can. at
the time OF writing. only be loosely
estimated.
The inventor watched the fire with
one thing uDpermost In his mind?
What do YOU suppose it was? What
would YOU he thinking about under
those circumstances. with the labor Of
years, and nearly all YOU own in the
world. going up in ruin and loss?
Thomas A. Edison was intcntly en-
aiming the hrc-rcsistins qualities Of
reinforced concrete construction. so
that hereafter such buildings may be
truly nreprOof.
There's mighty expensive expert
ment, he said, pointing to the blazing
pile. but it's Il good one. There will
he n mobilization around here to-mor-
row If that stuff cools off enough. and
when those buildings go up again.
they'll 80 up firoproof'
What an example. Especially in
these times, when so many show Tie
white feather and croak about hard
times or bad luck or some kind Of petty
trouble or grievance! Here is the liv-
ing incarnation of American spirit and
courage. Not a thought OF the past
Not 4 regret, except for the single life
lost-onc Of his worl;mcn who lied
doing his duty. Not u hint OF COM
plaint or encouragement, but every
power OF thought and viii conccn-
tratcd OF what he was going to do next
I'm sixty seven years Old he said, but
I'm none too old to take Il fresh start
Tomorrow morning. Nobody is ever
too old to take u fresh start
Was there ever anything finer more
maEnifccntiy and truly American than
This? Can the Inspiration OF such an
example ever weaken? Can one ever
forget il. or let il lose its power over
us? We take this occasion TO publish
q chronology OF Edisons life, Showin,;
the things he has achieved in the rcalm
OF physical sciences. we arc grateful
for them. Eut we are most of all CRATE
ful for the ideal standard pattern o.
American bravery and spirit that We
see outlined i'm bold relief against the
blazing background OF the Valley
Road.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
The Voice of the People
Colonel McCnhe corrects nm Error.

To Editor OF The Times Dspntch:
Sir,-In III" Times Dispatch Of to-day, II is
asserted. cditoriallr: General Lee" army before
Petersburg had paper strength or 10000 men,
but wounds illness and absentcetsm had actually
reduced the number present available FOR duty
to below G0,"oo."
The language implies shat YOU had the
record by YOU and speak by the card and
source came your Information.
During the whole four OF once"
the OF its greatest numerical
strength. did General Lees army have paper
lima ination of Mcclellan, Pope and Joe Hooker,
or in tho Munchausen dispat ches OF the war cor
respondents OF the Army OF the Potomac.
Even at ,i"ttySburG, Lees army had paper
hut 1924, while the Fcdcrals had only l5,256
Lee entered upon the campaign OF 1864 with only
in two extant letters that he had for duty
IL 600 Mt the Wilderness"
the time OF which you writing. Leo
had for duty'--curiously enough. the last
the date this viii appear, February rs, 1864
tiust hfty years ago)-53,H@4 men ON paper
Eut. az SAY, wounds. illness and abs cntce-
ism had reduced the numbers present aVaiia-
BILE for duty'-to a frightful dcGrce--not 10
merely below $4,000" but almost half tina,
number.
Lee states himself twice that he had hut
$4,000 when he left IN" trenches OF Peters
burg. including the forces on the whole Rich
mond front
lug such hlunders numbers made in
Northern papers and in Northern histories"
hut here in of home papers" in the
old capital OF the Confcdcracy. such errors
should not he allowed to pass without corrcc-
ton. w. GORDON McCARE,
Formerly Adiutant Pegram's Battalion Artl-
lcry. y. T.. IIills Corps. y y. V.
Richmond February %, 1915
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
Britain "Milked" for War

LONDON. February "a, M early
stage O; the war Lloyd Gcorgc
predicted that tho final decision would
probably res, With tho supply OF silver
bullets" at the disposal Of tho rcspec-
tive bclliGcrcnts, and Indicated that in
this respect Great Britain would doubt
less have the last word.
This prediction is being already Vcri-
fed IN so far as Eritaiu's snare In
furnishing the sin"ws OF war Is CON
ccrned In fashion that leads TO the
belief that this country viii nave Ia
bear the chief financial burden OF the
conflict
There has hccn held recently in Paris
a conference between the finance min
listers Of France. Russia and England
the results OF which have been sum
married. in AN official communicates
which has already been summarized by
cable ia the columns OF the New York
lines. NJ l;iboi Mr.. Bark and
Lloyd George We're each assisted at
this conference by their technical ah-
viscrs. 1t is interesting to note tina,
among those who served in this CO.
pacity on the star OF tho British ,'i,u-
cellor of the ENcrcqucr was AN Amer
lean
Lord Cunlimc governor Of the Iu...
OF England. and Lord Murray wc""
others among Lloyd Georges cNpn.i
counsc!ors. BY all the Representative.
papers Of England. France and Russia
the results Of the conference have been
welcomed as most satisfactory
Financially. Russia was the weak
member Of the trio. and the efforts OF
tho conference were chiefly directed To
strengthening the weak point in the
financial armor OF the allies That
this has been achieved is universailN
acknowledged and from n political
point OF view the success Of the CON
ference is incommensurablc. Any pos
sibility OF Russia being forced bv
financial difficulties to weaken in the
common task of defeating Germany is
removed.
Not only does this obviatc the always
remote chance that Russia might have
been induced, regardless OF the tripnr-
lite declaration which Sir Edward Grey
obtained soon after the opening Of hos
tilitics, TO consider terms of a separate
peace with Germany. but il has particu-
lar value as increasing Russia'S often
Sive power and enabling il to be MAIN
tanned At it's highest pitch, which Obvi-
ouSlN might not have been possible had
the Muscovite government been snort
of funds.
These advantages are SO great that
here in England, by the most qualified
authorities, they are held to outweigh
all purely financial considerations, such
rs may he summed up in the phrase:
whether Great Britain is paying, or go
ing to pay more than her share Of the
costs Of the war.
In This respect there may be some dis
cussion later on, for among those who
know the intimate details OF lhc linan-
cial arrangements come to In Paris
there rs some little hcartburning One OF
the technical advisers who accompanied
Lloyd George to Paris summed I'M
the situation on rs return as follows:
I'VE went to he mill,cd, and we have
been MIXED very thoroughly"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

CITY ATTORNEY pOLLARDS ruling that
~ the City Council has no right 10 termin-
ate. even with the consent Of the holder
franchise granted the street railway company.
adds a completely to the companys APP
plcatiOn for blanket contract controlling
the operation OF its lines.
Ii would seem clear however. tina, II the
Council may permit the company to change
the terms of existing franchises. by diverting
cars from lines the franchises establish, other
changes in terms may be effected. Perhaps
in the end this authority may be found ample,
not only TO grant such requests of the com
pany as are deemed reasonable, but for The
protection of the public's interests and rights.
But the whole thing becomes more and
more involved. There are promises OF some
very unhappy litigation before the matter is
settled for good and all.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

peCially for night use; the graduatIous
started ut the top. with the mark iii.
passed downward 10 MI. and then from
] TO Will covering the period Of win
ter darkness. ~ similar lamp Is in
the National Museum exhibit. CLASH
Ned as pewter timc-indicating lamp
marked for the hours 9 to 6. and
was collected In 1909 in Nuremberg BIZ
Dr. samuel l. Langley. late secretary
or the Smithsonian Institution.
sand glasses are represented by sew
en- specimens OF various types indi
eating three minutes. one quarter hour.
onc-hali hour. and one hour. ana enc
German set OF four hourElasscs prob
ably OF the foultc.nth century. The
hourE!asS Is said 10 be the invention
OF I.uiipraiid. monk OF Chartres who.
near III: end OF the eighth century re
NiNcd the art OF glass bio wing These
Instruments are still popular with many
clerHHmcn. and II is understood that one
is In daily use In the British House
OF Commons
Clocks operated by watcrpowcr date
back ~ far as 300 r. G. In Egypt. and
although their history ia somewhat
vague. IL is believed that the carlicst
ones indicated hours" OF uneven
length. while those evolved during the
seventeenth century and later were
simpler and showed even periods Clocks
OF TINS description and OF this period
are known as Cicpsydras: one with an
alarm attachment was collected for
the museum hy DR. Langley in Paris 1t
consists OF n hollow drum. partly filled
with water suspended from an obione
frame by two cords. the lover ends OF
which arc wrapped about the shaft
Of IA" drum. When the cord IL wound
about the shaft. the drum is AT the tor
OF The frame, and II released would de-
sccnd rapidly. uuwinding the cord as
II goes. were It's speed not regulated by
the action Of the water which flows
slowly through n series OF seven com
partm"nts within the drum, causing "a
drag OF countcrhnlancc 10 the action
Of gravity. The ends OF tho shaft act
as indexes pointing TO the hours marked
on The frame.
The date OF the Introduction Of clocks
worked by weights IL not definitely
known, hu; II Is supposed that they
did not appear until the thirteenth or
fourteenth century. and that John
McrcSteiu. OF Cologne. invented tho
esCapcmcnt The museum displays
number Of these clocls. including
ships clock which rings bells IN sea
going style
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

MahhS stan Will no strengthened by Mr.. Can
i.o"' MI NltchinS VIII be strcnSthcne by MIR.
.iNrh. Ihc experience OF a former Speaker will
DC available to the one side, and that OF the
ensuing Speaker to the other. The leaders
VIII work the harder because of the prominence
ol 'heir names in the speculation about the
i"'urc Mr. Mann is mentioned for tho preSi-
uchcE ana also for the vice presidency. while
ar. kitchin is mentioned for the Senate AS
MI underwood made the House leadership a
Stopping stone TO the Senate, Mr.. Kitchn. 1t is
suggested. may try to repeat the performances
Undoubtedly. there will be something doing in
the next House. The prediction is made. indeed
mat there Will not be dull moment at the first
session.-Washington Star.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
.rhc Husband OF su.rrnrc,t.."

To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir,--It Is not often that we have the pleasure
of hearing from the husband OF suffraGcttc.
hui the New York Times prints some good
advice given to the militant ladies by NJ. Bosse-
vain. the brave Dutchman who married IncZ
Milholland lie says:
When YOU talk the 'antis' do not boa st
Of what will do when they get the vote:
that they will make conditions perfect, or that
YOU OF the cruel Knitting women OF the gull
lOtig1s in the French Revolution. You should
say that YOU the Volc and the dickens
with what do with it,
Good for Mr.. nez Milholland. Here at last
is the only tcnablc position for the suffraEcttcs
No matter If every right demanded for women
has been given already without the ballot, I'VE
want tho vote. and to the dickens with wha,
do with it," No matter IL women have never
elevated politics. while politics has lowered
many women we want the vote. and the
dickens with what do with it, No matter
best interests OF dc,na nd
that should fight tho battles Of war and
politics, whtle-women serve the State In the
thousand ways of peace, we thu vote
and to the dickens with what do with itv'
1tchmond, February 70, l"lJ \. V. w.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
Will We BE Dragged Inr

a bMiRAI. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD,
\ the Fighting Bob Evans Of Britain. pre-
diets that Germany by design may sink an
American ship TO drag the United States into
the war, hoping TO gain an advantage by hav-
ing an excuse to quit With straight face
and also by having in the peace terms the
voic" of an enemy not yet invaded nor
desolatcd. Such an enemy would he inclined
TO lend it's influence to softening the terms.
II has been predicted on many curbstoncs.
on The other hand, that England might con
c"lvabIy sink an American ship and blame
II on the Germans. to force the United States
into war, and be in position 10 call The entire
lighting strength of The world into the task
OF crushing Germany
The answer 10 the first guess might be
that Uncle Sam would not be very cheerful
about softcning peace terms for an enemy
capable OF such deliberate trick nv: the an
swcr 10 the second might be that English
men, however desperately logged they are
iii VAR are not notable crooked sports
men and nobody believes they would do such
Il thing.
Does there remain a possibility that. justi-
flying the means by the end some over
wrought imaginary patriot of either side
might take into his own foolish hands the
turning of the stupendous trick? Is II be-
iicva ble--nay, is il probable-that there
might be another sinking OF Maine in the
memory of ha, crushing wave Of national
Indignation that drove Spain out OF that
stronghold III which her honor had been rot
ing Tor so many years?
The unexpected has an awkward way of
happening; the undcsira BILE is ALWAYS inst
around the corner. But there is nothing so
far to indicate that This country will accept
the invitation ovcrhastily. Lord Bercsford's
prediction that the United States would 70
TO war within week Of the sinking OF an
nnarmed merchant ship lying the American
flag i3 not justified by the dcibcraton and
cuolncss with which the government actually
handled the case Of The Evelyn We arc not
Hrc-eatcrs If we go 10 war, il will be with
our brains. not with our splecns
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

Doubtless the members o, the business
Mems Club OF Mineral reading with interest
the proceedings Of the Rotary club OF Rich
mond. AN organization similar to their own"
says the Louisa NirGiniai "If a man should 20
TO Richmond and make d!spararinS remarks
about the Rotary Club he would be taking his
life in his hands, so To speak. And the orEani-
zation OF the business men OF Mineral is sure
to be- one Of the biggest factors In the future
development and prosperity OF the town
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

is this Mr.. jones'
Ut is.
This is the Gctcmuuick Hospital y woman
who was taken i'll on the street has been brought
here and we think she is your wife.
Docs she So
NO. The patient is unable to talk"
Then it is Mrs. Jones. Try somebody
else
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
Chats With Virginia Editors

sometimes one wonders" says the Eris, oil
ficrald-Courier, why the good ladies in writing
letters to friends and ncwspapers--and especial
~ To ncwspapcrs-sliip every other page. the n
double back ana write croSSwise, and finally
finish UP with n sort Of photographic puzzle that
d"hcs solution Sometimes wonders and
then passes il up" 1t is plcasin to he able
to disptl the Herald -courcr's wonder This
chuoSiaphic idiosyncraSy is one OF these
womens rights. of which. doubtless. our con-
temporary has heard
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

The highway of progress. thinks the Fairfax
Herald Is cleared by the split log drag says
the Herald: The split-log drag has contributed
more toward the economic maintenance of pub
nc highways than any implement OF modern
usage. II does not require special OF the
Leg stature. bond issues. expensive educa-
uonal campaigns to make 1t available usual
~ prcCcdcS construction work. y dra.. be
built or purchased for $50. and is easily operated
by amy on" who can drive team We
more draGs
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

The Emporia Independent hazards the follow
ing: Ut is said that dancin; makes girls fee,
large. II is also said that ice cream makes
frcckles. Doctors Of the opinion that hang
ing on the front gate produces rhcumatisIn \
few more opinions like thcs. and the girls won't
have any more fun left them" II has also been
said that kissing promotes dsease-but, %
course, that Is of no special interest.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

cncc. and then follow the story OF the States
down To the present, TO find the solution of
Europe's real problem. Ii the struggle now
soinS on were founded Oh principc--on any
principle ut all in the name of humanty-and
II the result were TO be truly united Europe,
IT would serve Il useful purpose.
In that lies the solution of Europc's prob
lem. We have referred to it before we refer
TO il again-thc United States of Europe.
When all the people of overt hc-seas realize
that tEcir greatest prosperity and happiness
will come from common desire to be pros
porous and happy. all at the same time. there
will be no more lighting save perhaps, ut the
ballot box. Imagine. If you can, Il Europe
with Il supreme head and luwgiving body
elected by all the people. each country as it
now exists becoming part Of the union, and
having its own Legislature and Governor.
each country fairly represented in the central
government and fairly taxed for the general
expenses. What union that would he.
y dream? Oh, yes. Il dream-but Joseph
was dreamer
And, anyhow. isn't ii better to think of
than the best proposition England's chan
cellor can offer. of IL condition in which all
nations will sign for peace with the distinct
understanding that the instant any one of
them violates guaranteed neutrality (such as
that of Belgium all the others will jump on
the violatOr tsuch Germany and beat
him up?
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
Current Editorial Comment

The House and Senate
f.hos,ne,Ec fcrccs the La Toilette sea-
ntr 49,, mans bill very wisely exempted
chesapeake i;ay shipping from
rNe"iP'e" the rigid requirements Of the
measure. The Importance OF
safety cannot he oVcrcstinatcd. hut every
CunV.rsant with the Condit lions OF our bay traffic
realized from the beginning that the original
hill made demands that were entirely unncccs-
SarN and that would have seriously haudica pped
our shipping. II Is strange that II required
much argument and effort :" settle simple
u point, but that the rOnterecS have EraSpcd
the facts thcr" ought l. be difficulty
in either house on thc subject. We have never
had steamboat disaster OF any great proper
lions the bay due TO Lack % equipment, and
the comparative ease with which tn" lives OF
passengers and crew saved in a
OF local steamers indicates the
Suiicicncy of present safeguards. If ANYTHING
lacking In The future any Of these vessels,
the Board of Steamboat Inspectors. under whose
supervision they have been Tor more than half
.r\ccntury can To trusted that ii is sup
pIfcd-Ba u more sun.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
While The I.nmp nurns.

Grubbs-I sec that Congress, as It's end draws
near. is appropriatinG money at the rate Of
Sl00, 0oo. 600 day
Siubhs-Well. that goes to show that with
Congress ii is late spend
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
\ MiStnkC.

The lad who soaked his winter coat
TO get that ring he bought her
Is pretty sure, these nippinG DAYS
He really hadn't ourhter.
THE TATTI.EH
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
Iicnl I,ublic Shirt

KcnI PubIfc Spirit.
is old MillionbuX usually regarded as A
public spirited citizen"
oh. decidedly. Why, have known that ma n
TO lend big tract of land TO the city on the
sole stipulation that the city should drain grade
nnd otherwise improve it and then hand it
back
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

And We who soc what he has bought
All know. huwe'cr We smile.
He'll make his rus in urbe" thought
y fact-aud well worth while.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

Published every day I'm the year ny The Times
lisprtch Publishing Company. Inc Address all
CONCENTRATIONS 4" THE TIMES DiSpATCh.
rimes- dispatch building. 20 South Tenth street.
nichmond, Nn.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

From the New York papers down TO the
small weekly SAYS the Rocky Mount Tclc-
gram. the range Of publicity for Rocky Mount
has gone forth. and the great point about IL all
is that we have just made the start in this mat
ter OF putting Rocky Mount tho baseball
map. There is but one Class G baseball team
in North Carolina, and that is at Rocky Mount"
Let all join in the modest hope that Rocky
Mounts range Of publicity will keep rang
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

There would seem TO be nothing unnatural
al any rate. in This governments desire 10
have floating mines removed from the high
ways of the sea. The only thing necessary
is 10 induce Germany and Great Britain 10
view matters in the same light.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

Admiral Garden may go down In history as
the man who handed the con TO Consanti-
noples
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
The prsnInist Snsn:

Don't make any invariablc rule about folks
who offer to do YOU good turn. There may
be when they really mean it,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28

He looks ahead TO sum
mCr days,
Whcrcon his l;twn shall
seem.
Of perfuinei air ana
shaded ways.
The fabric of a dream.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
For Uc.tcr mr. vor..

Why did YOU send your sweetheart TO the
wilds OF Africa to hunt diamonds?"
Two reasons: he might come back with a
fortune or he might not come back at ALL
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
WnStc of Energy.

me"
She--I might, If tried hard enough. but il
would he such foolish thing to do
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-28
SONGS AND SAWS
The I)rcnnncr.

Now doth the gay Suburbaniic
Trot home at dcwy eve
with plants and eaplcn tools hciight
And mold upon his sleeve.