davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
New Work for Police.



Instead OF being merely watchmen TO pre-
vent lawlessness let the police study the
neighborhood conditions that produce law
lessncss. Let them be the eyes and ears o.
the municipality, qualified from hrst-hand
study TO make the city authorities recon-
mendations which would reduce law!essness
and crime. No matter should be too small to
come under the scrutiny Of the police. The
conditions OF the streets, sidewalks. tree.
lights, gan bage collection, fire hydrsnts,
parks, Fairgrounds and all matters relating
TO public health and safety might well be in
cluded in their reports.
Every district of the city should be COW
cred thoroughly and systematically by the
police every twenty-four hours, and there Is
hardly department of the city government
they might not aid by their work as inves-
tigators. The police should be one o: the
greatest social agencies any city has. For
example, in the single matter Of the gangs
which infest the tenement districts of most
cities, If the police interested themselves in
trying TO secure proper recrestional facil-
ties and inspired children 10 look upon the
"cop" as their best friend instead of their
greatest foe, it would go far toward doing
away with lawless gangs. There would be
no idle policeman, If, instead OF aimlessly
patrolling his beat waiting for something 10
turn up SO that he might make an arrest, ne
would all the time be engaged in the intel
lgent study OF the many conditions bearing
upon The moral, social and economic welfare
of the people in his district
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
do THEY WANT ROOSEVELT
Three Reasons for Preferring Him
Before Others.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
I Sir: have been 9 subscriber for and
reader Of The Tribune for over forty years
and hive read your editorials on different
subjects in that time.
Once In while there is one that out
ranks hundreds Of others such one was
in Saturdays Tribune.
have been = warm admirer OF Colonel
Roosevelt ever since be started in public
life, and this has increased as event fol-
lowed event. These are my reasons:
First, believe that he believes in righte-
business
Second, believe that he believes that
every one should give q square deal to the
other fellow, including those Of every land.
Third, | believe that he believes that every
American citizen should be protected in his
rights anywhere in this country, in any other
country or on the high seas, even il it takes
the last drop of blood or the last dollar
When Americans were hanging their heads
in shame and patriotism seemed 70 be at a
low ebb because of those who were trying
to navigate the ship of State rudderless and
composites, his speech a. Plattsburg sent
thrill OF patriotism throughout the coun-
try, even touching those in authority who,
though venting out their anger and spleen,
soon found out that Americanism was de-
manded.
am an old militiaman, and a few weeks
ago after the Plattsburg speech We formed
an organization Of those honorably dis
charged. the purpose Of which was TO instil
patriotism in our young men and give en-
enlargement to those now giving their SER
vices to the state and nation.
Some more outspokcn editorials Of the
same class as the one referred to will GER
tainly be productive Of good.
ALBERT MAU1ERSTOCk.
Kingston n Y Dec. IA, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
German Socialists and Peace

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: | trust no one will be mistaken at
hearing of the German Chancellor speaking
Of peace through the appeal Of the Socialist
party
The Socialists have supported the tremen-
dous preparations for the present war, and
they are now going to be used as an indirect
mouthpiece of the German government 20
start the peace talk going.
Taking glance at the record Of the So
cialist party in the Reichstag few years
back, we find them, including their former
leader. Bebel. voting for capital questions
entirely against the principles of social de-
mocracy. two of them being for the formda-
bic increase of ornaments and the repeal of
the law against the Jesuits.
Outgrown ambition and pride seem 20 have
msed the mental strength of one Of IN,
most advanced Of peoples. until they have
come 20 be fanatics on the subject of their
government and country.
1. was comparatively easy for the German
war barons to try their military machine by
bringing on the present war. COZ which tbov
are guilty and must pay the rricc before \
secure and lasting peace can be had.
p. J. GUERRY.
Elizabeth. y ]. Dec ~ iei6
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
A Presidential Necessity.
Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: It is very seldom that break into
public print, but the exception that proves
the rule is caused by what | consider your
most mastery editorial of the last two or
three years, the leading one in your edition of
Saturday. the 18th. The impression gather
is that The New York Tribune believes in
Theodore Roosevelt as a Presidential neces-
sity and is willing, in fact, eager, to back him
in 1916. Mr.. Editor. | metaphorically take
my hat off to you Il takes courage TO write
such an editorial after your series of 1912,
and it does more to convince me Of your
endeavor TO adhere to your motto Of First
to last the truth" than anything you have
yet done.
have always been T. L. rooter, because
in my opinion he is the most virile, manly and
courageous type Of American manhood in the
country. lie is man. every inch Of him.
He calls a crime a crime, and not an over
sight on the part of the captain of a subma-
rine. | attended dinner OF about seventy
Young men on Saturday night. and in one Of
the toasts the name Of Theodore Roosevelt
was mentioned and il was the signal for pro-
longed applause, and among my friends those
that were most rabidiy opposed to Mr.. Roose-
welt in 1912 are strongest for him now.
admit his proponsities for basking in the
imelight, but who is not built the same way
And one thing is true Of Mr.. Roosevelt that
cannot be said OF most public men of this day
and generation whenever he says q thing
he almost always makes good.
| sincerely trust you will take up the fight
as you have begun it. Talk T. r. snd sound
his praises, not as a Republican nor as a
Bull Mooser; not as a Progressive nor as a
Resctionary, but a man with whose stature
and virile Americanism no person in the
whole United States can measure.
EDGAR Y. CURTISS.
Brooklyn, Dec 70, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
Alumnal Poison.

Every friend of true sport will applaud
the wholesome sentiment expressed in this
offer from Mr. Francis Lynde Stetson
which the Williams Record" prints:
shall be happy to make good to the Ath-
letic Council every dollar of support with
drawn by any alumnus who will write letter
to the Athletic Council stating that he has
withdrawn his support because the team does
not win more games, this offer to continue
during the time of every man now N col
lege.
But what a condition of mind this flash
of spirit discovers in those it rebukes
Very evidently Williams alumni (only a
few, let US trust) have been contributing
to the support of Williams athletics in the
hope that intercollegiate victories would
give them something to boast of among
eliminates. And they feel they have not
been receiving their moneys worth. The
poor defrauded creatures -defrauded
from youth with an ignoble and purely
pernicious point of view.
| 1t is point of view, however, which I'M
doubtedly has its devotees among the
alumni of practically every institution in
the country. And it constitutes a large
part Of the pressure put upon faculty and
student body to turn out championship
elevens and mines, whatever else may pro-
coed from the educational mill. The stu
dents themselves are never so keen on win
ming at any cost as this type of alumnus
i his associates. 1t is his kind that can
vases preparatory schools for athletic ma
terial which may be subsidized. 1t is his
type which contributes most TO CONNER
cializing and debauchng college play. I'M
| fortunately. it is not every college that has
an influential and chivalrous son like Mr..
Stetson 70 cry him "Shame!"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
Educational Perils.

Teaching school in New York City
should be numbered among the extra-haz-
ardous occupations. Not so long ago as TO
be forgotten by a sensation-sated public, a
young woman teacher was summarily
kissed by two overgrown boys who found
her appearance attractive. They tore her
clothing in their violence and were beaten
off with difficulty and the help of other
pupils. On Monday two other boys, one
acting as lookout" for his confederate,
calmly held up principal at the point Of
a revolver.
"Now, promise to let me alone" quoth
the young mutineer with the gun, cor III
shoot you"
What could poor principal do? One
law prevents his trouncing the lawless-
ness out Of his charges, to begin with, and
another prevents his carrying weapons
with which to meet the eventualities the
first invites. Fortunately in this particu-
lar instance the principals surrender
lasted only long enough to permit two
brave NOIllelI ltdCHtIo Will VIC itiuloiNS
presence of mind to creep up behind the
youthful gunman and overpower him. Al
least, such is the version of the incident
which we have chosen from the large
assortment offered.
But if this sort of thing continues, il
will become necessary to arm our teachers
of both sexes like policemen or to set po-
licemen to teaching. The city should
either compel its parents to tame their off
spring into a semblance of respect for au-
thority or permit its teachers to protect
themselves adequately against the un-
tanned product with whom they must be
Gagged each day. Otherwise the danger tC
the teacher of being either kissed or shot
will soon begin TO initiate against &
proper concentration on the legitimate &C
tiyities Of the classroom.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
How Prohibition Prohibits.

There is much encouragement for the
prohibitionists in the annual report of the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and in
their endeavor TO promote a national agi-
tation in favor of the abolition of alcoholic
beverages they will hardly fail to turn his
statistics to account. Nor can it be denied
t.at the figures tend to refute the com
r,onplace that prohibition does not pro
hibit, a maxim which for the rest is toe
strenuously maintained by those con
cerned in the liquor traffic to be wholly
credible.
The falling off in the consumption OF
intoxicating liquors is undeniable, the de
crease in the Withdrawals of distilled spir-
its amounting TO almost l5,0O0,O0O gallons
in a year. With twelve states under pro
hibition and seven more about to be con-
trolled in the same way, it is but reason
able to believe that the decrease is attrib-
utabe in large measure to legislative re-
strictions. The opponents Of prohibition
insist that the recent wave Of economy
is sufficient to account for the phenome-
non, and point out that in the last year
the consumption Of cigars was reduced by
about 680,00O,O00. It should be noted
however, that in the same period there
has been an enormous increase in the use
Of cigarettes, and though saving spirit
might possibly account for decrease in
the consumption Of certain beverages II
Is hardly sufficient TO explain the all-round
reduction indicated in the annual report.
An interesting and significant passage
III the report deals with the so-called boot
Logging activities in prohibition states.
The problem, we are told, is one Of the
most difficult that confront the revenue
officers. "The business Of the moonshiner
in whiskey in the Southern States" says
the commissioner, from the number Of
Illicit distilleries reported seized during
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1915, APP
pears TO be increasing. There were re
ported 1882 Illicit distilleries DESTROYED
during the fiscal year 1915, as against
2.G77 destroyed during the fiscal year end.
ing June 30, 1914"
This result is not in any way surpris
iag. Wherever prohibition has beer
forced on a community similar difficulties
Invariably arise 50 long as considerable
minority are opposed TO il. Alcoholic bev
erages are easily prepared-eyen satu
rated solution Of sugar yields beverage
containing az much " II per cent OF alec
Lol--aud the opportunities for the Illicit
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
To Make Safety Laws Work.

Taking as the basis for his action the
result Of the recent Williamsburg factory
file-twelve dead and many badly injured
Senator Wagner, who was chairman OF
the Factory Investigating Commission, in
tends at the coming legislative session to
press for stifening of the inspection
laws. He hopes particularly TO obtain
changes in the laws which will permit the
STATE Industrial Commission summarily to
enforce its orders intended to assure safety
q working conditions. In this connection
ne points out that the present law permits
appeal from the orders, first to the Indus
trial Council. then TO the courts. Such ap-
peal acts automatically as a stay of the
order issued, and may, if carried through
all the courts, produce delay of months,
perhaps even three years.
When this provision was under dis
cussion The Tribune pointed out exactly
the effect it would have. It's legislative
opponents termed it joker of the most
vicious type, but it went through, along
with all the other undigested provisions OF
the law which consolidated the Labor De-
partment, the Workmen's Compensation
Commission and the State Insurance Fund
under one management in the State In
dustrial Commission. The net result is
that the inspection provisions have no
"teeth." There is an inadequate corps OF
inspectors. Red tape and delay of the nor
NAL brand usually serve the purposes OF
selfish factory owners ordered 10 make I'M
provements, but if they do not an appeal
Is certain to furnish them all the delay
they need, if pushed far enough.
1t is obvious that there ought to be
some provision to protect the factory
owner against unjust, unwise or blackmail-
ing orders For that purpose the appeal
should not be abolished-but there might
well be a provision in the law authorizing
the commission to close any factory sum-
marily pending the decision Of such an
appeal, if in the judgment of its members
the conditions to be changed were danger
GUS TO the workers in the factory. Such a
provision would vastly lessen the delays
through appeal and vastly hasten the COM
pliance of factory owners with orders OF
the commission. Nobody wants to perse-
cute property owners or overburden them
With expenses. Nevertheless, it is better
that they lose some profits than that work
ers in their unsafe buildings lose their
lives. Let the factories deemed a menace
be closed until the commissions orders
have been complied with or until the slow
moving courts have declared them un-
reasonable That's the way to put teeth
into the law.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
If Germany Wins?
tor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Many correspondents of The Tribune
seem TO be fearful Of the consequences TO
tho United States and democracy in gem
eral if the Teutonic Allies win the war
which appears probable. Are We, then, Sc
fragile and tender a growth that we shall be
blighted or destroyed by this or that mon
archy defeating any other one? Can we not
stand fair competition with any empire or
kingdom in the world to-day even more so
than in the past? The times are right for a
successful republic The American Republic
is different from other ones which reverted to
morarchies or wasted their youth as mon
arches. Our Civil War ccmented the Union
and time will solidify our government still
more. Rcpublicanism or democracy is sort
of "cosmic urge" with us-an idea that will
not down and must 90 through.
But the apprehension Of danger seems to
me entirely i'll founded-frst, because Ger
many has always been friendly to US, and
second. because a monarchical form of gov
ernment is best for them, and is directly
traceable 70 the depredations Of Napoleon and
other conquerors who have always overrun
Germany and forced her to militarism for
protection The Germans will have their
hands full in Europe in the future without
trying to squelch republic in America.
Does not the consistent success of German
arn,s in Europe against such fearful odds con-
vince Americans that they must be right in
this struggle? For right is nearly always
triumphant in history. The Southern Con-
iederacy defeated the Northern armies for
two years and penetrated the North as far as
Pennsylvania, but at Gettysburg the tide
turned because their cause was wrong. The
unity of the German people, knowing their
cause to be just--the defence of the Father
lard-will make them successful against a
sea of enemies" They have now snatched
the initiative from the Entente Allies and
will hereafter dictate the course of events.
They will direct this initiative in that direc-
ton which promises the most decisive re-
suits in the shortest time. This will probably
be a mighty new drive TO Paris, causing
France 20 sue for peace and bringing the war
10 d close.
III this need not disturb Uncle Sam, VINO
is all right, but has got his villains mixed up
in this drama. After peace once more spreads
her benign wings over Europe we shall better
understand and appreciate that other young
and yirilc nation which has so valiantly de-
tended her right to live in peace.
W. 7. OSBORN.
Newark, y. j.. Dec. 49, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16

d!stiller are practically unlimited. There
is no doubt that in many of the Southern
States there is a reasoned opposition TO
total prohibition, and as long as that OPP
position exists so long will total prohioi-
ton be impossible. The revenue returns
will continue to show excellent results,
and, as the commissioner remarks, grad
ual reduction in the receipts may safely be
predicted. But those who draw conclu-
sions entirely from this source are de-
ceived. Prohibition undoubtedly prohibits
traffic in the ordinary way, but it encour-
ages illicit traffic and promotes the con-
sumption of inferior and pernicious bever-
ages.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
What the Aquarium Costs.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In The Tribune OF December II wv.
appears a statement by school teacher w,
wants more salary, that 100000 was vow
last year for the upkeep of the Aquarium
The appropriation for the Aquarium =:
about Si7 1000 year, and has never eXeee'''
Sis.500
The Aquarium has more visitors to en'''
tain than any other museum in the Guy, o.
could make profitable use Of larger SUI,
once, but 100000 would be positively efno''
RAISING. -,
II isn't desirable TO let the taxpayers VA,
il costs that much 10 keep the aquatic W. y,
lections in the ancient ruin where the! =,
low Installed. That would be paying
highest kind OF rent for the poores. ~
of quarters. c. II. ToWNshsV'
TIL. Aquarium. Naw York. nse- IL iva
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
The Apocryphal Books.

There is nothing unreasonable IN Df'
Gates's appeal TO the Bible societies why
indeed. should modern readers be deprived
of the excellent matter that is in the Apo
cryphal books Of the Old Testament? Yet
for putting this simple question Ut. GateS
has been denounced-if that is the word
as q High Churchman. What his Protest
ant critic means is not wholly clear, for,
as DR.. Gates Justly replies, he is only ask
ing FOR the Bible that the great reformers
knew, the Bibles of Luther, of Cranmer,
of Coverdale and the rest. Surely Cover
dale was the first editor even to segregate
the questionable books.
The books of the Apocrypha are occa-
sionally glanced at in the New Testament
and passages from them are still read in
the Anglican churches; not, indeed, to es-
tablish doctrine, but "for example of life
and instruction of manners" Hence there
is little meaning in the explanation offered
by the president of the American Bible
Society, that its policy is "in historic ac-
coro with the principles Of Professionalism"
The principle is not obvious, provided 1t
be understood that in point of doctrine
the books are not to be held in the same
estimation as the canonical Scriptures.
On historic grounds it is likewise impos-
sible to justify the omission, since the
books are to be found in the great ma
iority of the older editions of the Bible.
1t may be Observed however, that the
American Bible Society is only following
the example Of the British and Foreign
Bible Society, which ruled out the Apocry-
pha nearly ninety years ago.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
HONOR SYSTEM AT STEVENS
Testimony of It's Success from One
Who Has Experienced 1t.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Replying to Miss Noll's article, "Hov
Do Honor Systems Work. in this morning.
Tribune, / can advise that the honor syster
has proved most successful at Stevens Inst
tute of Technology, it having been in open
ton there some six years, believe.
Every bit Of work is done under Il, and Al
examinations professors and instructors are
rot in the rooms a good part Of the time, an:
students are at liberty to leave and take q
stroll outside for breath of air, and this
privilege found was not abused. Indeed, i
would seem very odd to me TO 20 back to
the old scheme of having professors spy over
the whole room. This strikes me as being in
a way an encouragement to cheating, for Eel.
lows have told me that they "cribbed" JUS.
for the fun of matching wits against the pro
lessor and trying TO put one over on him"
At Stevens the classroom recitations, lsbo'
ratory reports and all home work are eli"
covered by the honor system, which, II seems
can take in these branches as effectively as i
does the examination periods.
Each freshman on being admitted 70 CO..
lege signs a declaration that he viii uphoA
the honor system at Stevens
The student self-goyernment board whia
is the jury for trying all cases Of infringe
ment of rules, is composed Of three men fror
each Of the four classes, each class selecting
its delegates, and the senior receiving n'
most votes becoming chairman Of the bora.
At trials the board calls the defendant si'
witnesses and then debates Oh the innocence
or guilt Of those concerned II also deeit.
upon the punishment to be inflicted. Some
OF these include private reprimand, pubic
reprimand, suspension and expulsion.
From my experience Of four wears unee'
one / should say that honor systems for cor
leges are entirely feasible, provided prae'
teal set Of rules and regulations IS mace th'
basis of the system. d. v. HILL,
Brooklyn, Dec. 13, 1915. stevens, ~