davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
A Crucial Year with the President.

This year will be a crucial ono with the Prcsi-
dent. He must, in the first place, recover from
the loss of prestige which he suffered as the out
come of the election and it also remains to be seen
whether he hold his party together.
1t is not likely that there will be decided
split in the Democratic organization. 1t is pos
sbIe, however, that few independent spirits will
resent the everybody ust-do-asI-tell-them atti-
tude of the President. There are symptoms now
of some insurgency. 1t has manifested itself in
the Senate and even the House is not as sycophan-
tic as it used to be. The President can, with a
little tact subdue this rescntfu sentiment although
it must be admitted that the tone of his Indian
apolis speech does not indicate any yielding on
his part Men like Senators Kern and Shively,
who can always be depended upon TO uphold the
President, arc cited as examples worthy OF all
emulation. Those who break away are doomed,
he thinks, to uncnvable notoriety and much bitter
ness. How some Senators will take the warning
that the primrose path runs PARALLEL with COM
piance with the Presidents wishes remains to be
seen.
And the year will be crucial one because it
will witness the further working-out of the policies
which, upon the Presidents nsistence, have been
enacted into law. Up to the present time these
policies have not been altogether successful. The
country has lspSed from prosperity into condition
of general stagnation If the better times that are
confidently predicted should be realized the Pres
ident and his party will be immensely benefited.
II things go from bad to worse all the optimistic
speeches in the world-all the clever Juggling of
words which master of language can invoke
will not save the Democratic party from utter de-
feat. The ensuing twelve months will tell the
tale.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
Political Situation.

The chief political event of the week was Pres
ident Wilson's speech at indianapolis.
And the principal interest attaching to that ut
terance lies in its declaration that the President
intends to be a candidate for reelection. He has
put quetus on the movement referred in The
Washington Herald to crystalline around Speaker
Clark the disaffected elements in the Democratic
party. The President proposes to let the Demo-
Gratis know that he is the captain of their team
and that he will not tolerate any mutiny in the
ranks The fact that the Democratic party went
on record in its Baltimore platform in favor of
single Presidential term has evidently no weight
with the President. This is not surprising. There
never was platform so disregarded evaded, and
ignored At the very beginning of the present ad-
ministration its declaration in favor of exemptng
American coastwise vessels from the payment of
Panama Canal tolls was overrdden by the Presi-
dent Its denunciation of Republican extravaganza
was followed by expenditures vastly in excess Of
the revenues while its promise of rural credits and
other reforms has been apparently forgotten.
1t is surprising, therefore, to learn that the
President, despite the position taken by his party,
will seek a second term. 1t could hardly be other
wise. Notwithstanding the defeat suffered by the
Democrats in the last election, the fact remains
that the President is stronger than his party DEM
ocratc policies do not seem to be popular with the
people but the regard for Mr.. Wilson personally
continues unabated. He is known to be OF
high ideals irreproachable in his private life and
honestly endcavoring to improve the condition of
the people. This knowledge has resulted in toll
erance toward his mistakes and manfests itself in
outbursts of enthusiasm such witnessed
at Indianapolis. 1t is long way, however, from
the noisy cxuberance OF crowd to a majority of
votes at the polls. Mr.. Bryan knows the difference
through sad experience and Mr.. Roosevelt must
also have learned that cheering and voting do not
always go hand in hand.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
THE HUMANE" BULLET.
4 Report that Makes Its Alleged
Humnneness Mostly n Farce.

The first comprehensive discussion OF
gunshot wounds of the present war OC-
ours in the London Lancet. 1t is the
view OF Col. G. II. Makins, consulting
surgeon to the eXpeditIonary force II Is
by far the most UnfavorabIe report that
has come out of the theater Of war.
As a preliminary. Col. Makins SCOTS
at the humane" civilization which
adopted the modern, supposedly humane.
bullet and at the same time proceeded to
make war chiefly with projectiles which
''cut of a head, an arm or a leg or lay
open the major part OF one or more Of
the great body cavities" This Is fair
criticism. As has been pointed out in
these columns before, artillery, not rifles,
has fought the bulk OF the battles in
France and Belgium, and the wounds
from shells and shrapnel can never b.
called humane" by any stretch of die
imagination. This terrible destructive
ness greets the investigator at the outset
Of his search.
Turning to the question of rifle
wounds. Col. Makins finds the modern
pointed bullet far from the humane pro.
iectile it is commonly supposed to be.
He does not give detailed figures. but ne
speaks with conviction of the large num-
Der of rifle wounds worse than any ever
effected by an expanding or soft-nosed
bullet. The wound Of entry Is usually
small. but terrible destruction too often
follows. The cause of this unexpected
condition. Col. Makins lays to the in
stability of fight in the long axis OF the
projectiIe:
Allowing the capacity of the pointed
bullet to produce the small aperture of
entry and exit and the narrow interven-
ing canal made by the older bullet vet
II Is clear that as n cleanly perfOratirg
instrument 1t needs to strike with ex-
treme accuracy and precision. and II this
he not the case wounds OF vastly differ
ent character result. a slight inaccu-
racy of impact causing only an unim-
portant increase (or none at alb of the
aperture of entry may result in the pro-
duction of an explosive" exit aperture
OF the extreme type when no bone has
been touched and the resistance of the
soft parts Of the body is alone met with
All this accOrds very closely with the
views of Mr.. Selous. the big game hunter,
who reported the terrible destructiveness
of modern bullets when used against
animals. This humane projectiIe can
upon occasion make a small. clean wound
But If it is the least DETECTED II is
most destructive. And apparently this
DETECTION. the 'keyholing'' of the bullet
so that 1t ceases to be a small, boring
instrument and becomes a were slug of
metal, is far more frequent than anv one
supposed. What little humanity was
thought to reside in modern warfare
seems to have vanished.-New York
Tribune
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
Maryland Senator's Appeal for
Fair Treatment of the District

and caprice"-the words are quoted-of
each recurring session.
1t is not. Mr.. President, that there Is
any I'll will toward the people OF the Dis
trict on the part of Congress. Far from
IT.; but there is lack of time; there Is a
failure to understand and sympathize
with the unrepresented That is perfectly
natural in any set Of men burdened with
the labors and responsibilities that Con-
gress necessarily and always finds upon
its shoulders
This Limitation Of dollar for dollar Is in
effect a constitutional Limitation, and It
does pervent overtaxation in the District
Before 1t is repealed there ought to be
some general reform here. Congress
ought to go about removing the practical
evils that exist right under their noses
before they proceed with a great change
that will take down the only barrier and
protection that exists around the rights
OF the local taxpaying classes.
There should be, possibly, local control
over taxation by a local tribunal Of some
! kind. The present system is absolutely
un-American. It Is absolutely unjust, be-
| cause it is un-American. There should
be a practical law for the taxation of
| intangible property, not the type of
amendment that has been suggested by
the Senator from Kentucky, because that
| is impracticable and would do no good to
| anybody. 1t would not take a cent of the
! burden of the poor mans house. But
| some practical amendment, on the basis
Of the Maryland, Virginia. Minnesota, or
Wisconsin view, should be adopted for
| the relief OF the taxpayers on real estate
in the District, and if you repeal the half
and-half proposition there should be some
definite basis of contribution by the ma
! tional government
1 do not believe, Mr.. President, that the
Senate has time in this short session to
| give the investigation to this subject and
| the relief that it should give. Therefore,
it is a good matter to permit to go over
| to some other time, when Congress will
| have more opportunity to sit as the COM
mon council of the District of Columbia.
] But do protest against the attitude into
which unconsciously the Junior Senator
from Iowa drifted in the beginning of his
speech. My sympathies are with the
District of Columbia citizens assOcia-
tions. because those are the only form of
representation and protection that the
local people have; and II they caricature
a member of the House from the State
of Iowa or If they run down or ridicule
in the press a member from Kentucky,
that is the only way in which they can
express their sentiments. They are absO-
lutely bottled up. They have no political
right or relief whatsoever. They are. as
the Senator from Kentucky has very
properly described them, unquestiOnably
the under dog in this tax situation.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
Proof of High Standards.

The safety record of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road-"not a passenger killed in train accident
in IoI4"-is remarkable in view OF the fact that
I8S, Al, $40 passengers carried in more than
100000 trains over the system of 26,Io8 miles of
track These figures afford convincing proof of
high standards in maintenance, management and
discipline and the report just issued is one that
should inspire the companies which have been less
successful in handling passengers to study the
methods followed the Pennsylvania lines.
This showing, however, is not without prece-
dent During the past two years. east of Pitts
burgh, the Pennsylvania carried 3II,67s7o4 pas
sengers without the loss of life IN train aeci-
dent and in four of the past seven years the same
statement applies to the 558ooo,ooo passengers
handled in this territory. The Pennsylvania has
been accused by some msinformed persons of
spending too much money on its property but the
maintenance charges need no other defense than
the figures quoted.-Providence Journal
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

From the address Of Senator Blair Lee,
Of Maryland. in the debate on the Dis
trict OF Columbia appropriation bill:
Il shall not mention names, but heard
a very eminent Representative from
Kentucky once say, speaking OF a citi-
zens' association Of the District Of Colum-
bia, that the average Congressman cared
as much for the protests of a citizens
association against taxation put upon
them as he did for the bowling Of dog in
his back yard; both were nuisances. Z
1 want to suggest that the attitude in
which both the Senator from Iowa CAIr
Kenyon and the Senator from Kentucky
tMr. James, have approached this ques-
tion Is fundamentally wrong. They do
not effectively sympathize with the under
dog at all. The under dog in the District
OF Columbia is the unrepresented tax
payer The government OF the District
of Columbia in the past has been quite
analogous to the government of a South
American republic, namely, a govern
ment run exclusively by the steamboat
companies, banks, and railroads, but for
the modifying intelligence and kindly
sympathy the taxpayers here sometimes,
not always, got from the House and the
Senate.
Il once had occasion some years ago
to appear as attorney for certain taxpay-
ers before one OF the House committees.
| was there In opposition to what was a
palpable piece Of real estate wrong. The
member of the House presiding as the
chairman OF the committee asked me if
l represented any one. / told him that
did represent parties in interest. Said he:
II you represent anybody who has an
interest in this matter, we will not hear
you, because we only want to listen to
disinterested citizens
Mr.. President, that is the kind OF in
justice that on many occasions has been
mttcd out TO the taxpayers of the Dis
trlct Of Columbia. The head Of a COM
mittee Of Congress took the position that
he would not listen to anybody who had
an interest at stake. He excluded the
parties that a court of Justice would have
required to be parties. 1 am happy to
say that such experiences were unique,
and that an appeal from that attitude on
the part of the chairman of the House
committee to the brOad-minded Senator
from Iowa, Senator Allison, corrected the
difficulty. So it is is reasonable, looking at
the treatment of the District OF Columbia
by and largely through a number of
years, to quote the language of Senator
Blackburn, Of Kentucky, who refers to
this half-and-half proposition as the or
ganic act and says that otherwise the
taxpayers of the District of Columbia
would have to depend upon the ''whim
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
JAPAN EYES CALIFORNIA.
Newspaper Suspects Enemy Seeks
to Cause Trouble with U. s.

The policy of 'Laissez Faire'' Is easy,
so easy indeed that we are tempted often
to follow that shirking course when dam
ger is in the air, but not imminent. There
are times, of course, when the silence Of
contempt is golden, but even this road
of least resistance is often an error
fatal and iTrevocable Japan and the
this mistake today in the face Of the
reports from California and the murmur-
ings of the press here and elsewhere.
It has been announced that a new crop
OF anti-Japanese bills is to be sown
early in the coming session of the Cali
fornia State legislature, and that the SOW
ers expect to reap them. With consider
ably less authoritative emphasis, this
report is denied. We are told that lead
ing Japanese" in San Francisco do not
believe any such legislation will be in
troduced or enacted. This latter opinion.
We trust, will prove well grounded; and.
after all, who are more interested than
leading japanese? But is 1t not quite
possible that the wish Is father to the
thought and that the term leading
Japanese" may be loosely used by some
less responsible recorder to cover a neces-
sary anonymity? Anyhow, we are face
10 face with a serious calamity, indeed,
which it would be nothing short Of Grim
maj TO ignore.
No healthy minded person would seri-
OusIy attempt to sustain an argument in
favor Of these anti-Japanese bills in Cali
fOrnia. Even with the world at peace
and with all treaties abroEated, thCy
would hardly find Justification in the
world of broader and higher statesman
ship of a community Of right-mindcd
men. But with a treaty of amity and
commerce existing between the United
States and Japan the right in equity or
in Jaw for a single State independently
to ignore the obligation must be open to
question. But all this has been argued
though the decision has yet TO be heard.
The stability of a California State-made
law in opposition to a national Obliga-
ton is greatly in doubt. 1t is not un-
likely, therefore, that the national courts
of America will abrOEate the State law.
1t is not the past and its mistakes
that We fear now, however: 1t is in the
present and the future that the danger
lies. 1t would be a mistake, indeed, to
treat the matter lightly or 10 ignore the
menace to the good relations of two
Is of vast Importance TO the prosperity
and peace OF the whole world The seeds
of discord have been sOwn year after
year and, year after year, a crop has
been reaped. The same sOwer is al work
in this present season. Is 1t not time
for all of us to awake? 1t may be too
late an hour hence.
To whose interest is it that Japan and
America should drift apart? The answer
is easy.-Japan Times.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

No ono who knows Herman Riddcr, the in
transigent proprietor of the StaatS-Zeitung, would
listen for brief to the insinuation that
he is making use Of the present opportunity to
extend his acquaintance" Herr Bidders faith in
the righteousness of his lob of Germanizing this
country" is one of the most beautiful things ever
invented. No experimentation devotee was ever
more completely under the spell of his delusion
than is this honest apologst for Teutonic "Kultur
and all that it includes.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
SOCIETY MYSTERY CLEARED.
Johnston Divorce Suit Explains
Leasing OF ''SIngIe Onk.''

The mystery OF the leasing of Single
Oak" the suburban home Of Mr.. and Mrs.
c. II. l.. Johnston, to the Secretary OF
the Navy and Mrs. Josephus Daniels at
the outset of the Wilson administration.
which has puzzled social Washington ever
since that time. was cleared by the re-
port from Santa Barbara, Cal, that Mrs.
Johnston. who is the daughter Of Senator
Newlands, had begun proceedings for
divorce.
The report also explained the absence
of Senator Newlands from the Senate for
the last week or ten days. AS a witness
in the hearing at Santa Barbara he testi-
fed, according to reports, concerning
charges against Mr.. Johnston which were
sensational. at least in the eyes Of WASH
ington society.
These charges center. it is alleged. on
a dispute over a family Of kittens. Mrs.
Johnston asserts, according to reports
received here, that her husband knocked
her across the room and otherwise mis-
treated her in the quarrel. The trouble
in the Johnston household was not known
even by the nearest friends of Mrs.
Johnston until the news came from Santa
Barbara.
Single Oak was the home Of the John
stons after their marriage, on April II
1903, and, so far as known by society
folk, who made II a starting place for
paper chases, 'cross-country rides and
walks and other outdoor sports, 1t was
the happiest home about Washington.
Mrs. Johnston Is the granddaughter OF
the late Senator Sharon, whose great
fortune she and her sister. Mrs. William
3. Johnston. share.
Charles Haven Ladd Johnston is at the
Rochambeau, in this city. His family
has for generations been prominent So
cially. Charles Johnston and Miss Edith
Newlands were married a short time after
the wedding of Miss Janet Newlands to
DR.. William B. Johnston, brother Of the
defendant both events being exclusive
affairs at the home Of Senator Newlands.
''The Oaks which adjoins 'Single Oak
Washington Dispatch to the New York
Tribune.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

Every prisoner entering the penitentary al
Joliet ILL.,, hereafter is to be subjected to psyche
pathic examination by board of four alienists
and they are then to be grouped under intellectual
classihcations instead OF being segregated accord
ing nationality, color physical characteristics
The plan sounds all right but it would appear that
intelligent warden, after month of daily obser-
vation, ought to be able to divide his prisoners into
intellectual groups much more accurately than any
four alenists by the process of psychopathc exam.
ination.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

President Wilson asked the business men of
indianapolis whether, a result Of the operation
of the new Federal banking law, this is not the
first January in their recollection that did not bring
a money striugency because of the necessity of
paying out great sums in dividends. Some of the
administrations opponents are quoting the money
rates for the past years. to prove that supply and
demand this January are about normal and others
may be expected to explain that the Democratic
party has arranged the countrys affairs that the
necessity Of paying out great sums in dividends
does not exist this year.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
students interview senators.

A delegation OF Washington high school
students yesterday visited the Capitol 70
interview members OF tho Senate regard
ing the broadening OF the law affecting
District schools, so TINT students may
contribute to school papers and debating
societies and take part In other ways in
school activities. They were told their
pleas should have been entered when the
appropriations bill was in committee. II
Is possible they viii interest Senators
toward ehampioning an amendment to
the bill on the door.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
Curious American Woods.

Both the lightest and the heaviest
wood grow in America. The fshtest
wood Is that from a tree indigenous to
Southwestern Missouri. Locally. 1t =
known as the cork tree. but its wood Is
lighter than cork. The tree has diam
eter OF six inches and grows to height
OF fifteen feet. The roots are lighter than
the wood. having the extremely low
specific OF ISL Cork Il 30. At present
this Missouri corkwood has no real COM
mercial value, but the native fishermen
use It to make floats for their nets. The
black ironwood OF Florida IL the heaviest
known wood
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

Miss Christabcl Pankhurst finds the American
press most admirable in its readiness to give pub
licity to the votcs-for-womcn movement "Amcri-
can women do not have to smash windows to get
publicity" She said recently. at is the stupid
silent policy OF the British newspapers that has
compelled us to become militant. With half the
attention paid us by the American papers, our
cause would be won long ago" Another triumph
for American journalism-think of the plate glass
we have saved from demolition.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

The threat OF the game warden OF Fairfax
County, Va, to prosecute the Secretary OF State
for hunting rabbits on Christmas Day when there
was snow on the ground in violation of tine law,
though he did not bag single bunny will probably
amuse Mr.. Bryan 1t must be remembered that the
Secretary is a regular Colonel and ought to have
perfect right to dress himself in khaki and wan
der about the woods with a gun in his hands in
stead OF a sword.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

The recent Turkish defeat in the Caucasus il
it turns out to be a verify, will bring joy to the
squabbling little governments that have been wait
ing impaticnuy for opportunity to break into
the game. 1t will also postpone indefinitely that
holy war which Count Won Bernstorff and his fcl-
low alarmistS so confidently predicted. We ven
turc the opinion that every stage OF the yet to
be fought will be of the typical "unholy' sort
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
Arrange for Poultry Exhihit.

Final ARRANGEMENTS for the annua
show OF the atioNnal Capital Poultry and
Pigeon Association to be held January
10 to .. in the Arcade auditorium, wert
completed last night at meeting OF thS
association in the Public Library Sec
rotary Walter A. Keifer reported that
900 entries had been made already Fifty
cups and 150 special awards win be OF.
fered beside the regular premiumG
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
British Tactics.

oficer-How did he get into that condi-
tion?
Private-He captured bottle of whisky.
sir.
oficer-Yes. yes; but how did he man.
age to do that?
Private-I think he must ave surround
ed It sir.-London Sketch.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
North Sen TraRedy.

Mrs. Porpoise (meeting friend in the
North Sea)-You're looking well. my
dear. And how's your husband? Mrs.
Whale beginning to blubber)-Foor
fellow! He's gone all to piecesl Mrs
Porpoise-Dear mei What happened to
himf Mrs. Whale-one evening at twi-
light he mistook a torpedo for some
thing edible.-Puck
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

"Every time my wife looks at nc she sees $1,000,
and wants it," Chicago man declared in court
I'VE were happy as birds for twenty-five years. a
month ago she got nc insured for $4,000, paid the
premiums herself, and now twice a day she tells
me she wishes | were dead" But, come to think
of it. he must be a pretty poor sort of husband
The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

The German Ambassadors failure TO substant-
ate his charge that orders for prohibited classes
of guns and cartridges for the OF the British
army had been accepted by American manufac-
turers should not deter him from further search
fo7 the cuIprit. Keep an eye on Japan, Ambassa-
dor Her ordnance fok arc verv clever.