davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

Last Sunday The Tribune published an article
in which attention was called to the lowest death
rate in the history of New York And it is
deniable that people have an average length of
life in this country that is longer than that of the
people of other countries. 1t is true that the
Health Department of this city has stamped out
to a large extent the danger of death from con-
tagion and epidemic. But the higher mortality
in middle life and beyond is beginning TO even up
the balance At the present rate of increase of
organic troubles the lowest death rate will not
long continue. The balance will be pulled the
other way.
zone of the first needs of the present day is
thorough and efficient scientific inquiry into the
causes Of the remarkable increase in mortality
from organic diseases in this country-an in
crease that no other country in the world has
shared. While the general death rate above the
age of forty has increased in the United States
since $780, It has decreased during the same
period in England and Wales, Sweden, Prussia,
Denmark France and other countries.
What is to be done in regard to the evidence
that has been obtained from these mortality
figures? Are TO agree with the man who
points out the lowest death rate and triumph
antly declares that he is an optimist? 1t is
pleasant way to deal with an unpleasant situa-
tiOn-aS pleasant ana as eHeCuNe hs tHaN VI tHc
man who refuses to believe that he has incura-
ble ailment because he feels like fighting cock
"The approximate number Of deaths every year
from the degenerative diseases Of the kidneys,
heart and c;rculatory system is 100000. Sixty
thousand of these deaths from old age diseases
,aLe nlace below the age Of forty and the rest
above that age / am confident that doctors will
agree with me when | say that at least 80 per
cent Of these deaths could have been deferred,
perhaps for years, by teaching personal hygiene
and bv including the practice OF periodic health
examinations. So doing would have given people
the opportunity TO guard against these diseases
and 20 consult with their doctors before their all
ments became incurabe. This so per cent OF
deferra5le deaths means yearly loss through
organic diseases of 900 people
"About 10000 who died last year from such
causes would still be alive if the death rate OF
1880 still prevailed. Even If the present death
rote IN England and Wales had prevailed IN TINS
country 10000 Of these people would sun DC
living,
"Ws cannot dodge these statistics! Nor can We
- .ec,,sed OF pessmism for calling attention 10
fscts The charts that have been drawn up snow
20 opr increased organic mortality have peeh
ID from records that open to everybody
r., have shown a state of affairs that IS even
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

worse than anticipated by physicians, who have
generally recognized in their practice an increase
in the deaths from these diseases, but who, OF
course could not know the ratio Of increase.
"This increase in dcgenerative diseases has
cause, and this cause is peculiar to the United
States. In searching for these causes the first
thing to consider is our own changed environ
ment the new mode of living and the general
tendency to physical inactivity that now prevail
in America. We a nation in search Of ease.
We have found it, but we have not adjusted our
selves to it, Our ancestors worked in the fields
and ate simple food. Millions Of Americans
perhaps so per cent or more-whose fathers and
grandfathers engaged in out-of-door labor remain
indoors the greater part Of their lives. They in
dulge in muscular activity except in moving
around little on their feet. Labor saving ma
chnery, cheap transportation, prosperity and
other causes have encouraged them to become
physically inactive. The telephone has helped.
Evn the rural free delivery has helped. The
farmer who once walked in the furrow now rides
the sulky plough
"a great mass of human beings accustomed
through heredity and centuries OF training to an
active out-of-door life cannot suddenly suspend
the use of their joints and muscles and eat heart
lily of rich food without paying the penalty. Lack
OF exercise and overeatng are not cohsis'eh'
with change of life from the fields to the desk
or the workbench. Until eat intelligently and
adapt our food to changed conditions there is
bound to be heavy death rate from organic
diseases.
Another reason for our high organic mortality
is the strenuous pace that is set for us in the
expenditure of our nervous force and vitality
This has been widely discussed Of late however,
and is generally known to the public at large.
"Those who claim that the increase in mortality
between the ages of forty and fifty is wholly due
10 the decrease in mortality in younger. years
because numbers of weakened lives are now saved
only &c fall prey to natural conditions in later
lfe) are confronted by the mortality figures fur
nished in foreign countries. There, too, great
decrease in infant and early adult mortality has
taken place but there has also been decrease IN
the later periods, as opposed to the marked in
crense in America. In England, Wales and other
countries these changes in habits of life have
come gradually Here this change has been more
sudden and radical. without doubt 1t has pro-
duced the high nervous tension characteristic IN
a certain class OF Americans, that is considered
national trait and is mistakenly lauded as such
1.-THE remarkable prosperity that we have known
and that has been constantly on the increase Is
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

worlds legacy of great characters and great
scenes, to be picturized according to the
changed ideals of the succeeding generations
What is your principal requirement as to
motion picture actors"
Actors with soulsp' was the emphatic re-
Spouse. Il know there is much talk OF pict-
ure types, blonde types and all that. but over
and above technical requirements, so called, is
the demand for people of great personalities,
of sincere, true emotion and the untheatrical
expression thereof.
Somehow, most Of the stars who come to
us from the regular stage lack the sincerity,
at least in their earlier efforts before the
camera. Mrs. Fiske, in Tess was notable
exception. I know she drew from me the
tribute of tears The Coincide Francaise ac-
tors notably Coquelin and lie Bargy, who ap-
peared in some of the French pictures, were
wonderful in the breadth and strength Of their
exquisite character portrayals On the other
hand some of the most widely advertised and
most admired spectacular pictures from
abroad suffered from the defect OF mediocre
acting. Of what use are magnificent scenes
with only puppet-lkc actors? Here in Amer
lea we are training school OF silent actors
who bid fair to surpass the finest efforts Of
the Old World schools.
I'm the old days" continued Mr.. Griffith,
I'VE followed the modes of the stage some
what slavshly. Few of US sensed we were
dealing with new art form. The primitive
picture play was laid out in acts, strict unity
of time and place being always observed, the
same sized figures shown in an unvarying
time sequence of single action.
II remember what sensation l caused in
the old Biograph studios, in Fourteenth Street,
when invented the closeup figures
THAT will never do at ALL objected the
proprietor. The actors look as if they were
swimming-you can't have them float on,
without legs or bodies! But persisted, and
had my way, though it was alleged that the
audiences always knocked disapproval with
their feet whenever the close-ups' were ex-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28
Movies Supreme i'm Poetry, Art
and Acting, Says David w. Griffith

somewhat rudely asked of this wizard of the
nature theatre.
David Griffith laughed-not a laugh IT Of
Tended vanity or condescendng superiority,
but the easy, natural mirth of a master who
expects to encounter many skeptcs and doubt
ing Thomases in the days work.
why" he said, "the makers Of pictures
have already surpassed in many ways the art
Of the speaking stage. The old school are
coming to us, are they not2 And appropriat-
ing such of our devices as the cut-back' and
the parallel action. And could name one ac-
tress with tremendous New York hit of two
years to her credit who built up her justly ia
nous part from close study of the methods
of our Los Angeles picture actresses!
Already it is admitted that as to poetic
beauty the motion picture entertainment is
far ahead of the stage play Poetry is APP
parently lost art in the regular theatre, but
it is the very life and essence of the motion
playhouse. We have staged most of Brown
ng's stories, many of Tennyson's, innumera-
BILE Biblical and classical fables. Not only
beauty but thought is our goal, for the silent
drama is peculiarly the birthplace of ideas.
No one can tell what the motion picture will
become, for we are at present only at the in
fancy of it."
Pardon me-" persisted but will the 81
lent drama ever put forth immortal art prod
ucts' Will there ever be Shakespeare or
Homer of the movies?"
mo" unused David Griffith reAectively, 'be-
cause the motion picture is acting, and the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28
THE BISHOPS OPINION.

OF a certain Bishop the following snecdOte is
told:
While presiding over conference speaker be-
gan a TRADE against the universities and educa-
ton, expressing thankfulness that he had never
been corrupted by contact with a college.
After proceeding for a few minutes the Bishop
interrupted with the questions:
DO | understand that Mr. X is thankful for
his ignorance7"
"W.ll. yes" was the answer; "yOu can put it
that way if you like"
"Well. all have to say" said the prelate, in
sweet and musical tones; "all have to say is that
Mr. K has much 10 be thankful for."-Tit-
Bits.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28
GENERAL GREENE SEES A WAR CLOUD

will think it BEST on the whole, not to try military
conclusions with us, then / assert without fear
Of successful contradiction that such preparation
does not invite war, but does on the contrary,
tend TO prevent war; and il does certainly do
everything that human foresight can suggest to
prevent that horrible calamity"
How little dependence is to be placed upon
Omitted States of Europe" or upon general dis
armament as a guarantee OF peace is trenchantly
disclosed by General Greene through reference to
our own experience. We had our United States, the
very model upon which United States Of Europe
must be patterned, with its Supreme Court TO
settle disputes. Yet here had after seventy
two years of Constitutional existence, the greatest
civil war of modern times. In 1861. moreover, both
North and South were disarmed; yet they went
to war and within the year they had million and
a half men in the field and under arms.
Nor is arbitration an infallible psnacea for
international ills. II these colonies had appealed
to a tribunal Of arbitration in 1875 they would
have been non-suted and thrown out Of court.
Such an appeal in 1861 would not have resulted
either in tie freeing Of the slaves or in the pres
ervation Of the Union. II We pass by these cases,
as Of domestic nature, what reason is there
TO suppose that Hague tribunal in 1895 would
have rendered a verdict in accordance with what
Mckinley declared, and the American nation be-
lieved, the unmistakable demands not merely Of
national welfare, but also Of universal humanity?
1t is doubtful If We should have won case in
1912 before any court Of arbitration, or indeed,
IL many other issues would thus have been AS
justly and benefeeEtly decided as they have been
by war. That is not argument for per Sc.
But it is recognition Of the fact that man is
fighting animal, that his nature is immutsble, and
that therefore the possibility Of war must always
be taken into account in human affairs. The ma
tion must still take for its ideal "the strong man
armed; but he should be man as courteous as
he is strong and as just as he is well armed
That is the ideal which General Greene exhibits
in this little volume for the emulation Of America
The exhibition should be Inspiring; the portrayal
of our military needs should be absolutely COM
vneing
=
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

hibited. To-day the closeup is essential to
every motion picture, for the near view OF the
actors lneaments conveys intimate thought
and emotion that can never be conveyed oyI
the crowded scene.
81 borrowed the 'cut-back' from Charles
Dickens. Novests think nothing of leaving
one set of characters in the midst OF afairsI
and going back to deal with earlier events, in\
which another set of characters is involved.
elaborated the 'cut-back' to the story within
a story and to the so-called parallel action
/ found that the picture could carry not
merely two, but even three or four simutane-
Gus threads of action-all without confusing
the spectator. At one point in my latest
drama four actions are represented sirnultane-
ously, by the device of switching scenes every
few moments. Each action heightens the ef-
fects of the others-a technique that, so far as
l am aware, is absolutely novel in story telling
art. My point is that Photographic drama is
constantly progressing, and he is indeed fool
ish who would set arbitrary limits as to what
it can or cannot accomplish in the course OF
its marvellous evolution. For one thing the
telling of history. the education OF old and
young, may be entirely revolutionized by its
strangely new processes"
With these words the picture producer went
back to his unending task of lettering The
Birth of Nation" for its initial presentation
here. Perhaps the biggest things in his work
are not those that have been described in this
article. For Griffith is, above all, lover of
nature and a lover of beauty. The landscape
glories of perfect sky and earth settings, the
chiaroscuro that Rembrandt loved, the play
of animals, the graceful beauty OF idealized
humanity, the subtle sentiment, comedy and
pathos lurking in the byways and corners OF
the big game of existence-these are the
things that show the true poet beneath the
big executive genius of the picture producer
and the things that cause hirI to be regarded
by his fellows in Pictureland as the real art
craftsman of them all.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28
Continued from second page.

altogether, and, second if the war had come de-
spite ALL to have been fully prepared for it!
General Greenes first plea is, then, that we
shall treat Japan with the courtesy and justice
which are all that is need-d to avert all danger
of war We are pledged in the most solemn man.
ner to tire t h IN the basis Ct the most favored
nation" That is the obligation of our treaty
1--WE are railing at Others" saws General Greene
"for breaking their treaties. Are we observing
our own? II not, then this proud and sensitive
race under repeated provocations, may possibly
work tn mseves into a frame of mind in which
they will prefer national death to national dis
honor; and in dying they may deal US wound
more deep than we now imagine"
Courtesy and Justice would avert danger Of war.
Or if some incomprehensible thing happened, such
as happened in Europe, and if war were forced
upon u.s. then we should be blameless. In view Of
the possibility, however remote, and, indeed, 70
make it all the more remote, General Greene coun-
sells reasonable and adequate military preparations,
especially in the creation Of sufficient mobile
army to meet and to repel any attempt at INVASION
Let il not be supposed however, that he is plead
ing for militancy On the contrary ne carefully
draws the distinction, which is too often ignored
but which is one of the most important factors in
the whole problem, the distinction between military
preparations for aggression and those for de-
fence; between those made for war and those
made for peace If preparations for war are made
with view to attack and for purposes Of con-
quest, then unquestionably such preparations do
lead to counter preparations; they lead to race
in ornaments, creating military caste, like that
of Germany, which steadily grows more insolent
and insulting in all its references to its intended
adversary; and finally the eatsclysm, such as We
are now witnessing does inevitably result II, on
the other hand, these preparations are made not
with any purpose Of conquest, but solely to enable
nation to pursue its peaceful development with
out risk of interference from envious rivals
competitors; and il such preparations are so
fully but economically made Gas is easily possible
in our ease) that even the most powerful nation
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

-HE AMERICAN plan of life'-so called-is
beginning TO tell Indoor living and lack
Of exercise are bringing results in the death
rate The chance for long life for middle aged
people in this country has been lessened.
An astonishing increase in the number Of pre-
mature deaths from organic diseases has been
shown in America for the last thirty years. In
every city and state where comparative statistics
are available this increase is apparent II is not
explained by growing population; it is not ex-
planned by a worldwide change in civilization and
other countries do not show it; it is purely
American
Elmer +. Rittenhouse, president Of the Life Ex-
tension Institute, which has gathered the stats
ties showing this fact to be true, said recently
that he was not pessimistic about them because
Americans will cope with the present problem
when they realize what it means. He added now
ever that the statistics in themselves are highly
significant.
"In the last thirty years." he said, the mortal
ity from such ailments affect the heart, liver
and kidneys has increased 81 per cent in fifteen
American cities These are the only cities Tor
which comparative figures obtainable for TINS
period The few states where investigation has
been possible show the same trend. People OF
thirtyfye are nearer death than were their fathers
when At the same age While the general average
Of life has been heightened and while mortality
of infants has been cut down, the span OF life IN
this country is apparently shorter than ever BE-
fore. The chances for ripe old age are ma
terislly iessened.
"The blame for present conditions is hard to
place. When the people throughout the Un'ted
States begin TO realize that life saved from
Brights disease is just valuable to the iamiy
and to the state as a life saved from typhoio or
scarlet fever or from tuberculosis we snail Degih
to make Roadway against the conditions In ""ieh
we live. When through their health departments
and other organizations people are taught per
sOnsl hygiene as we'll as community hygiene We
shall begin to accomplish something so Tar 'ne
efforts Of the public health service nave oeen a.
most wholly directed to the problem OF ehec"i"h
communicable diseases.
when man takes smallpox or scarlet le'ea
he Is forced TO observe certain measures why
"a Not out OF any tenderness for himself on the par
the authorities, you may be sure; but because
the effect or the community II he is "Sf"su
.n'pst inssntary conditions he IS not warheu
'This personal benefit much as for the Dene"'
!" as neghborhood. From his schooldays ne mas
0'sn cautioned against communicable disease Du'
:" word about degeneratye diseases "n'e"
MT begin in his schooldays or be so"n oeio's
nsnheodi
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

one of the elements OF the change that has caused
this nervous tension and that has contributed to
the death rate It is most gratifying to be as
sured that millions Of present people have
comforts and pleasures that beyond the
reach of their ancestors. But unless we adjust
our internal machinery to meet these new condi-
tions we become weak physically.
people wish to care for themselves. Great in
terest has been awakened of late years by the
newspapers and by the medical societies and
health boards in sanitary measures and hygiene.
Already many have given up bad habits, have cut
down immoderate eating and drinking, have
learned to sleep with their windows open, to in
dulge in the daily tub, and to apply scientific
sanitation in various ways. The number OF such
people is constantly increasing. The number
who have adopted the outdoor idea has grown.
The number who seek the doctor while well in
order to avoid becoming seriously i'll is becoming
larger, but as yet has not grown to such an eI-
tent that it has had any noticeable effect upon
the mortality rate in middle life and old age. 1t
will do so, however, with proper encouragement
and attention. Our innate common sense will
ultimately be our salvation"
The Life Extension Institute formed by
number of scientists and professional and bust
ness men with the view to frightening and i'm
proving conditions Of human life 1t is striving
to do this by educational propaganda. Member
ship entities one to actual physical examination
and to educational service in the form Of monthly
letters and pamphlets relating to personal hy-
giene. Among the officers Of the institute are
ex-President Taft Colonel William C. Gorgas
Professor Irving Fisher and DR.. Z. L. Fisk.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

How about the cavalry and war effectsF
I'VE should be helpless without the aid Of
governmental authorities. An area Of ten
square miles is marked off, as for the Wander
bit Cup races On certain day all vehcular
or other road traffic is prohibited within this
area. Signs of warning are tackled up every
where.
Our thousands and thousands OF cavalry
mcn-in the present production we used 49,
600 people altogether-own the entire coun-
tryside Cameras are everywhere-the most
effective ones for pictorial purposes being
mounted on autos that travel ahead of the
cavalry up to a speed Of seventy-tive miles an
hour. Nor is it case of straight consecutive
picture taking Parallel with the onrush of
the cavalry run one, two, three other Recon-
struction stories. Each onrush is a bit con-
trasted with another short scene Of entirely
different character The timing must be exact,
yet the cyclonic rapidity must never seem to
be relaxed.
at will give you an idea of necessary, enor-
nous completely when l tell you that there
are no less than 5000 separate and individual
scenes in the completed work. The battle
pictures are as cunning a mosaic Of the in
fntely little as the cavalry charges or as the
scenes of domestic life in the Carolinas. We
exhibit the panorama Of battlefield flung over
many miles of mountain and valley, show the
opposing intrenchments and the artillery fire,
display the ri1emen forming for advance, the
charges over broken ground, the bayonet rush
right up to the trenches, the deadly handgrips
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28
rAGE CAREFULLY SET FOR A
MOVIE DRAMA"
STAGE

And now South Carolina in Reconstruction
days is measurably before cur eyes. Elsewhere
the battle backgrounds of the Civil War are
sprnging into being, helped by expert advice
of old vets and modern West Pointers. The
costumes, settings and documents are labori-
ously prepared for the facsimile historical
scenes like those OF the Emancipation Procla-
nation, the Appomattox surrender and the
Lincoln assassination. BY the way, twenty
four Lincoln actors were rehearsed before
the right Lincoln was found The Blue and
the Gray the Southern white gentry and the
colored contingent all have been drilled under
their respective leaders And then film max
ing begins.
AT an carly stage of the work-after the
rough outlines have been filled in--the scena-
rio is thrown away. The building and
building OF the story, the piecing of intimate
bits and the discardng of the useless 60
right on while we are living the history, so to
speak, from day to day. Nearly twenty eight
miles of pictures-14oo0o feet of flm-are
taken. And how much of these are used?. At
the finale we discover that we have thrown.
away eight-tenths of our productive have
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

n N OST remarkable Of recent changes
MI in the theatre has been the appear
lEl ance of kings that knew not