davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
Colonel Houses Errand.

In the apparently authentic report
that Colonel r. NJ. HOUSES errand TO
Europe has for Its principal purpose
n frank discussion with the authori-
ties OF the British and German en-
plres OF the future of the Belgian
people will be found official recogni.
ton Of the highly unsatisfactory con.
dltlons now existing with relation TO
the support OF these unfortunate vic
tins of the war. Privately this aspect
Of their case has already received
careful attention, and It is inevitable
that It should engage serious thought
In the immediate future.
However comprehensive the gener-
oslty OF this nation and its citizens
may be. II Is clearly beyond its scope
IT, support the population of Belgium
indefinitely. Moreover, the demands
made on our resources at home be-
come constantly more inslstent, and
these must be met, even though In re-
lieving want among our own people II
should be necessary 10 reduce or TO
cut on entirely the flow OF bounty
across the Atlantic Ocean. Let II be
borne In mind that the United States
are under no actual obligation to ease
Germany Of the task OF providing for
the population OF the land she has In
vaded, nor yet OF bearing any share
Of Great Britain's duty to her ally.
Into the political considerations that
must affect both these nations It Is
unnecessary 10 inquire at this time
they are foreign TO our humane mis-
sion in the distressed land.
We do not suggest that there Is an
immediate prospect OF closing our
hand, OF even of substantially reduc-
Ing our contributors 10 the Belgians.
But Il must be impressed upon the
statesmen of the belligerent Powers
that the benevolent American occups-
ton of Belgium is not. and cannot he,
permanent.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
Lobbying at Washington.

II is currently reported that there
Is maintained at Washington to-day
a lobby for the promotion OF hyphen-
ated Americanism OF particular
brand in order to fashion our govern
mental neutrality in the European war
10 the liking of alien views. Report
has it further that the magnitude OF
the lobby, the righteousness OF funds
which II Possesses and the openness
OF its activities have astonished vet
eran observers Of affairs at the ma
tional capital. Can any part OF this
report be true?
Doubt of the vcracity OF the reports
must inevitably be inspired by recol-
lection Of President WILSON'S keen
scent for anything resembling a lobby
ana his instant energy in ejectlng
s1ch political mnnipulators from the
nails Of government. In 1919. when
American business men resorted 70
washington lo place their practical
knowledge ami experience at the dis.
poSal of Congress In The enactment of
a revised tariff, how swift was their
eviction from the governmental pre-
cincE and purlieus! How prompt was
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
THE SEIZED GRAIN.
A Card From the Western Canada
Flour Mills Company.

To TIVE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: You
published on Thursday an article stat
Ing that nine or ten cars OF grain
shipped by the Western Canada Flour
Mills Company OF Winnipeg had been
seized by the Canadian Government on
accoun, Of its being destined for a hos
tile European port.
I am New York agent OF the Western
Canada Flour Mills Company and am
instructed from the Winnipeg ONCE to-
day 10 request you to correct this article
so az TO make II conform with the facts
The Western Canada Flour Mills Com
pany teleRraphed me that the grain In
question was sold by Il TO a firm in
Chicago and was billed in accordance
with Instructions OF the Chicago people
90 Fort william, Ontario, no destination
whatever being mentioned. The article
made II appear as II the Western Can
ada Flour Mills Company was guilty OF
an attempt 10 ship the grain IN an In
direct way TO hostile destination, while
the Chicago Arm should he made to bear
the blame II any such disposition Of the
grain was intended.
A p. YoUSGBLooD.
Nv~ vnRK February 6.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
SHRINKING.
A Comparison Of Certain Euioglstic
OratOrical Outgivings.

To THE EDITOR OF TIE SUN-Sir, Sem
ator Ollie James of kentucky on the
floor of the Senate last Friday, in a
tremendous burst OF eloquence, ejacu-
lated the following beautiful collocation
Of words just before sitting down. II
is what Ia usually termed "a peroration ."
He was talking about the ship purchase
bill.
'Tt this great constructive measure
must fail. II this must be the first de-
feat for the greatest President who has
occupied that chair in hfty years, n he
must fall and above his body the wild
shouts OF n triumphant Republican party
shall rise. | do pray God that I may be
spared the humiliation of reaching down
to pull from his body a dagger bearing
the IMPRESS nf the hand Of Kentucky
Senator"
note with concern than the gifted
orator terms Mr.. Wilson the greatest
President in fifty years"
Now. the Hon. Joseph wingaie Folk,
u will be remembered Immediately after
being appointed to a high salaried office,
gave Mr.. Wilson the hall mark Of being
the greatest Prcslden; since jefferson
The Hon. Ollie NJ James cuts this down
TO a fifty year limit.
Should this process continue who
knows that before long some other in
spircd Democratic orator may declare tho
Hon. Woodrow Wilson to be the great
est President we have had since William
Howard TAFT?
! heard y man say Yesterday that Mr.
Wilson had Knocked himself into a
cooked hat" That seems a more rea-
sonable explanation than the dagger
business. POLTCAEP.
WASHINGTON. d. c., February g.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
THE UPSHUR SLOoP.
A Secretary of the Navy Who Was
an American.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--sir: As
reader OF THE SUN for many years
| am more and more impressed by the
splendid American stand II In taking
on all subjects and particularly in re-
gard to the national defence.
The impossible Daniels reminds me
because he is so differently of Abel p.
upshur, Secretary of the Navy from
lS4l To lS43 and Secretary OF state from
lS43 20 lS44 As Secretary OF State
he Gathered" the annexation of Texas.
and as Secretary OF the Navy when a
weak and vacillatng Congress would
not appropriate money 10 build a much
needed addition to our navy, Secretary
Cpshur took the responsibility on his
own shoulders and ordered to be buiNt
six sloops OF war, the Portsmouth. the
ST. Mary's, the Albany. the jamestown,
the Plymouth and the Germantown.
These ships were known thereafter as
the "Cpshur sloops OF war" They were
completed in time to take part in the
Mexican war, giving us an adequate and
efhcent navy, Is there no more spirit
aNlsting lie naval administration like
Secretary rpshur's? II seems not.
tpshur, by the way, was an uncle OF
the present Senior Rear Admiral John
II, Upshur, retired, A.B.
NEW YORK, February 6.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
WORDS AND ACTS.
Mr.. Wilson's Rosy Prophecies Of Pros
nerlty for Prosecuted business.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--ST. The
President has just been making high
flown and inspiring predictions OF busi-
ness prosperity In the future lie bas
reminded business men OF the gratitude
they owe him for the New Freedom he
has bestowed upon them, a freedom es-
sentlal to that development OF enter
prise which was no hampered until his
day IN office.
SO much for theory. but what is the
practice of the Administration Hut a
few weeks ago a well known corporation
suggest prosecuted, by the Government
was brought TO trial before Federal
court and acquitted OF all guilt. For
merlY our rulers would have considered
IL a subject for congratulation that
the innocence OF an association OF busl-
ness men had been established. Would
IL have been believed dozen years ago
that the Government would at once as
sert Its Intention to prosecute further
and appeal to the Supreme Court?
Apparently the Administration could
not abandon the hope that In some way
tho accused men might be found guilty.
And Americans gifted with common
sense. as we have supposed ourselves
to he. are expected to regard this as
Freedom and to rejoice that enterprise
II no longer 10 be hindered.
And Mr.. Wilson wonders that conf
denoe IL not universal, as II ought TO be (;
and he really believes that business men
will credit his prophecies of prosperity
to morrow. DAVIS
NEW YORK, February 9.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
The Golden Mean.

In this city one result of the war
has been shown in the social gather.
ings Of the winter. 1t cannot be said
that social activity has been grea ter
There have been many diversions OF
the usual character even II without
the previous brllllancy. There has
been, for instance. an understanding
that there shall he balls only for
young women who are to be intro
duced. Many assemblies, moreover,
which previously had no other than
a social character, have been made
partly eleemosynary.
In other words, there has been an
effort to make social enjoyment less
costly and less pretentious. Less
money has been spent in this way In
order that there might be more to
give in others. Where formerly ex.
pendlture was for the sake of luxury
only, there has been this year regard
to certain share that might also go
for the charity now so much needed.
has been thought for something else.
That has been the prevailing spirit
Of the winter.
And there Is reason to believe that
there will be something of this spirit
left for another year, maybe for sew
eral more years. 1t has been seen
that II is altogether possible to COM
blne amusement with thoughtfuness
and consideration for others. Then
there need not he unlimited spending
N insure pleasure. That has been
one lesson OF the war and 1t has been
so well learned that 1t is not likely to
be forgotten for some time TO come
The longer II is remembered the bet.
ter II will he for those who benefit
by its practical result as well as
those who have a chance to combine
their recreation with self-denial and
philanthropy.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
The Price OF the Ticket.

1t is interesting to observe that six
New York theatres, presumably OF the
first class, are now apparently pros
perlng by the simple method OF selling
the tickets for their performances at
half price, Evidently the managers
reason that II their offering" is not
considered worth what they ask it Is
at least the part of wisdom on their
part 10 take for II what the public
will pay, As this happens to be half
the asking price there are various
means of distributing tickets To the
public at this figure.
So the thentrCgoer who sits now in
any one of those six plnyhouses never
knows whether he has been compelled
to pay twice as much as his npighbor
or not, Il may be that in dealing
with Spectator the excess demanded
or him is much greater even than
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
A GOLD STREAK" COMING.
The Press Agent OF the Planets Her
aids Snow and Gale.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: I'm
less counteracted by some unknown
cause the following conjunctions occur
ring near the longitude of the sun will
repel the earth outward from the sun
and will cause very cold streak OF
weather. February 1917.
Mercury, at stationary position Feb
ruary l2. moving directly toward the
earth AT thirty miles a second, will pro-
duce an effect If attraction were the
force OF gravitation, Mercury would
draw the earth toward itself and nearer
the sun. causing warmer weather Feb
ruary 10 and II. But IL Is impossible
for anything to attract, and since heat,
or repulson, Is the force OF gravitation,
Mercury will repel the earth out from
tho sun, causing n warm effect on the
earth at first dixie the stroke OF ham
mer), then 1t will be followed February
IL. 10 and IA by wintry gales, rains,
SHOWS, cool and cold weather in various
localities of the Northern Hemisphere,
and storms. rains and cool summer
weather In the Southern Hemisphere. as
the earth ia being forced in an outward
direction from the sun.
February l2 the moon, passing be-
tween the earth and two planets, Mars
ana Uranus. repels the earth further
from those planets. thereby repelling II
further from the sun and causing cold
weather from this source February 10.
February II Mars passing between the
earth and Uranus and the. moon passing
between the earth and Jupiter will force
the earth outward from the sun and
cause cold weather from these influences
February II and 10. February IA the
moon passing between the earth and
Mercury, as II approaches at its great
velocity will cause warm effect at
FIRST, then It will force the earth out from
the sun and cause cold weather Feb
ruary 3 and l6. d. a. N GROVER.
KANSAS CITY, Mo, February 6.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
BUYING IN BULK.
How One Suburbanite Manages to
Economic

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: Liv-
ing In a New Jersey suburb of New
York city, where supplies are very high.
We have tried the plan OF buying such
supplies in quantities with success
The saving on twenty pounds OF oat-
meal, for example, is sl.l2 over the same
quantity bought In cartons We buy
eggs shipped directly to us from farm
in crates Of twelve dozen, which insures
NJ absolutely fresh eggs and is also "a
great saving. The same is true OF po-
,atoes and apples by the barrel
In addition to the saving there is also
the feeling that we always have some
thing on hand and are not forever tele-
phoning the grocer to send up pound
packages OF different supplies. The saving
on doing up canned goods and preserves
by the quantity instead OF buying them
as need arises II well known.
I might add that We also buy SOAP,
both laundry and toilet by the guam
tty, which also effects a considerable
saving, In the course OF a year with
family OF any size this saving Is
worth while, SURURBs.
BROOKLYN, February 6.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
OLD NEWSPAPERS.
A Loan Exhibition Of Ancient Prints
PrOpOsed

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir. Mr..
Matterson's article In THE SUN regard
ing old newspapers. with details concern
ing one owned by him bearing date Of
May, 1910. Ia OF real interest.
1t brought to mind an original paper
in my possession the Coium btdn Cen
tinel Of Saturday, November ~, 1895,
published on Wednesdays and Satur-
days by Benjamin Russell in state
street, Boston, Massachusetts"
This paper. now somewhat frayed
and brown with age have had framed
with glass front and back. 80 that Il
may the more easily be read. For
years Il has been an object OF interest
and being now over one hundred and
nineteen years old, Its historical value
10 constantly Increasing have been
told that out of the CenttneI grew the
present Boston Traveller
This copy announces that 'the En-
press of Russia has declared war upon
the King OF Prussia" An article de-
voted 90 government affairs Ia headed
Federal Ship News" the nation being
inRton referred 20 as Commander" All
through the paper SIS" are printed in
the old fashioned custom. Foreign news
occupies more space than domestic.
II has occurred TO me that II a num-
her OF these old and valuable news
paper relics we're placed for n brief
time on exhibition at some suitable
place where students OF history could
study them a public interest would
be served. / am quite willing TO loan
mine for this purpose
RALPH MARpxN.
Nrw YORK February 6
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08

merely double the price. Il Is only
possible, therefore, to warn those mis-
guided theatregoers who are paying
so much more than their neighbours
that they had better acquaint them
selves promptly with the means OF
making advantageous purchases.
Whether or not the simple minded
theatregoer has any redress against
the manager who asks him at the box
Office twice as much MS Is asked of the
patron who arrives armed with card
which entities him to half rates Is not
plain. Legally the managers might
protect themselves by the plea that the
cheaper ticket is sold with restricted
privileges II may not be used, for
instance. except within a certain lin
tied time before the beginning OF the
play, and only certain seats are avail
able at this lowered price. In this
way It might be possible for the
theatre managers to meet the charge
that they were asking two prices OF
their patrons.
The result Of this practice ~ to
insure certain immediate patronage,
although II takes 40 special perspi-
Guilty to foresee the event of the
policy. II will not be long before
managers will have brought back the
atre prices to the dollar limit. Other
wise It may be necessary to adopt
sliding scale of prices, determined
by the drawing powers OF the par
ticular play. Indeed. practically that
arrangement exists now In the thea
tres that sell their tickets for half
the schedule price when they cannot
get II all.
II took the theatre managers twenty
years to raise the price OF the best
seats Mt the box office from one dollar
io dollar and half. 1t took another
twenty years to add the additional
half dollar. II will be interesting to
observe what another year of half
price tickets will do for the stable
price. II should he difficult hereafter
for any Of the theatres that have been
selling their tickets this season ut
half price to persuade their patrons
again TO pay the rates regularly de-
manded ut the box Office.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
A Call to Secretary Garrison to Let
II See the Light

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--sr: We
have an army with an organization the
like Of which exists nowhere else under
the sun The General STAN has drawn
up a comprehensive plan OF nationa! de-
fence. plan IL has been working on for
years. so Imagine the surprise OF the
army when the Secretary OF War threw
II to one side and brought forward n
piecomeal plan OF hls own. The army
believes n there Is 10 be any Intelligent
army legislation the scheme OF the Gem
eral stan should he considered.
Our organization cannot he improved
10y pecemoal legislation. and every
one knows that II the bills presented by
the Secretary OF War were passed no
other legislation would be considered by
Congress for years 10 come and the
dreams OF reorganization would be COM
plotely shattered.
why does not the Secretary OF War
publish the plan OF the General stan 80
that Congress and the people may Judge
whether or not II Is suitable for our
country's need7 r A.
NEW YORK, February 6.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
Senator Burton Needs Help.

While the executive officers Of the
Government are being driven to recog
milton Of the difficulties OF the Treas
ury. and have even gone so far as to
consider seriously the reduction Of
their estimates for 1916, the Sena tie
committee to which the river and har.
bor bill was referred has been busy
adding TO the total carried by that
mea sure
AS It passed the House the bill ap.
propriated S3I .13S,5S0 In the form
in which It Is presented now to the
Senate It would impose an additional
burden OF $4,4s9.3OO on the taxpayers.
The new appropriations inserted by
the Senate committee amount to So
10000, but this was offset by re-
duction Of Sl2OO.OO0 in the sums
designated by the House for contlnu-
ing projects
Fortunately for the taxpayers, who
daily expect TO be informed that A
new method has been devised to ex.
tract money from their pockets to
meet Federal extravaganza, there is
every prospect that the bill in It's
present form will fail. The opposl-
ton TO II Is intelligent and alert.
Until March 1t will be under the
skilful direction OF Senator BURTON.
Much may be expected of HIM, but his
hands must be upheld by vigorous
expression OF the public indignation
against the ~asiefui aud iniefensi6ie
items contained in the river and
harbor bill.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08

the judgment and condemnation visited
on other American business men who
last year assumed to venture sugges-
tons regarding legislation In elabora-
ton OF the antitrust law and inter.
state commerce actl
Those lobbyists Of course wero
American business men looking out
for their business Nevertheless, who
will not he persuaded that the White
House would quickly detect and de
nouncc any foreign lobby conducted
at Washington under alien auspices
in order to influence the international
policy OF the United States?
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
A "Morning Post" Of 1888 and An
other Copy Of the Boston Gazette"

To THE EDITOR or THE sUN-Sir;
note G.. NJ. Matterson's letter In THE
Sun regarding an old copy OF the Bos-
ton Gazette and Country Journal OF May
10, 1870. ! have a copy OF the same
publication dated March ~ and contain
ing the same matter he refers 20. This
paper has come down through the Rob
bins family OF this State from way
back" Among other Journals the New
York Morning Post, Volume Ill. Mum
Der l5b. printed by Norton and Horner.
I Water street, between the Coffee
House and Old Slip. November 7, 1888
SO many reprints OF old editions are
In existence I am wondering n Mr.
Matterson's May 12 might not be March
IL.
Under orders from headquarters in
the Morning Post OF November 7. 1893,
Adjutant- General De Lancey says:
This Oflcers commanding Reeim ents
which are embarked, will take care that
no On1cer under their command is per
United to call who has not satisfied his
conditions.
This may he we'll known but not so
we'll advertised nowadays, think you?
NEW YORK, February 6. J, @. II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
TWO FIRST.
Anguish Produced by the English OF
Guardian OF Our Tongue.

To THE EDITOR or THE SrN-Sir; I
have been much interested in the letter
from New Haven headed Grief in n
College Town." in which the corre-
spondent says
Accustomed from early boyhood to re-
we're THE suN and ChrisfidH Adr0cdte as
the two best eXponents OF the English Ian
suage II Nils me with grief to see the
capital Il" dotted
He adds "It is all | can do To re-
new my subscription"
Now, | earnestly advise that the sub
scription be renewed nj once. II he con-
tinuos to read THE Sun as faithfully
for a few years more he will not make
The mistake Of mentioning the two
first" OF anything.
If the misplacing OF a dot has caused
such grief, what will happen when Il
becomes known that such IA sentence as
the one quoted has been printed in THE
SUN and that II originated In New
Haven? I should think It would cause
a panic. h.
WARWICK, n. Y, February 6.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
FOR FEWER COUNTY OFFICES
wall.tein Investigating Plan 10
Centrslise Government In city.

Leonard NJ Wallstein. Commissioner
OF Accounts, said yesterday that ne
has been conducting an investigation G.
ascertain how much can be saved by
centralizing all the county government
within the city OF New York He has
not gathered all his facts yet and con
sequently has not come to any conclu-
sions
II have been carrying on the inves
tigation for several months" he said
TO ascertain the cost OF the decen-
trallzed government OF the counties
within the city and to see whether any
eaving of that enormous cost could be
made by centralized government,
am gathering figures together, but have
not finished my work, Tho figures
when published, will be very inter
estng"
To make any such radical change
would require an amendment to The
Constitution OF the State. The invest
cation undoubtedly Is being carried on
with the aim. If any radical measures
are deemed necessary, OF asking the
constitutional convention to make
change In the Constitution.
II Ii rumored certain men are advo
eating a plan to abolish all county
offices except those of Surrogate and
District Attorney. A board OF managers
would supervise the work OF the various
offices now under the county govern
ment according 10 this plan