davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
MUNICIPAL RELIEF WORK.
Dangers That Beset the Administration
or Emergency Funds.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN--Sir. The
plan of supplying public work for the
relief OF the unemployed has distinct
economic value even without crediting
anything for the enduring results OF that
work. To mitigate some human suffer-
ing. to take some of the load from the
other agencies of relief. to put some cash
into the channels of trade, all contribute
to this value.
But the history OF the million dollar
park appropriation for Just such an eX-
cellent purpose may well serve as n warn
ing to our philanthropic citizens and to
the officials whom they have led into con-
troversy on this subject. The Mayor
seems to need little admOnition and the
Comptroller none at all But some of the
Commissioners should take heed.
The million dollar appropriation the
Park Department had relief possibilities
only so far as II could. be made to fur
nlsh work and wages. II was winter. of
course, and regular park work was as
/ slack as everything else. Road and
walk work was the only thing on which
money could be spent to anything like
advantage Materials had to be provided
for the men to work with. To follow the
letter OF the law and advertise for pro-
posals would have meant a delay which
would have practically nulliied the
emergency appropriation act. The Park
Commissioners bought the needed ma
terials on open orders without advertise
ment and the bills were duly paid and
tho payrolls passed.
But let us see what else happened.
There was a change OF administration.
Mayor Strong succeed Mayor Chlroy
and reform officials made up the whole
city administration. Three OF these Park
Commissioners were indicted. The Mayors
power Of removal Is an innovation OF the
Act of Consolidation.
Who were these malefactors? One was
Judge Tappan, a former Supreme Court
Judge, highly respected old school gem
tleman OF courtly manners, renowned
jurlst. honest, conscientious and capable.
To man OF his character the blow of an
Indictment was simply crushing. II was
undoubtedly the cause OF his death.
Another was Nathan Straus. OF world
wide fame even then as a philanthroplst.
big OF heart as big OF brain, with a
record OF business problty. human charity
and general we'll doing an example of
which his generation can be proud.
Tho third was George c. Clausen, a
gentleman OF wealth and position, whose
life Is clear and clean OF anything In the
slightest degree questionable and whose
public services are many.
These three estlmable gentlemen suf-
fered the disgrace and lGnomlny OF a
criminal indictment and we're put to great
expense and inconvenience to defend
themselves. They were guiltless OF any
fault and had been diligent In tho effort
20 carry out tho benevolent intention of
tho Legislature to give work to the I'M
employed WILLIS Holly
NEW YonK, January 1s.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
Villas New President.

The struggle for liberty" as Mr..
WILSON calls the rough and tumble
fight for the dictatorship in Mexico,
has produced another provisional Pres
ident. At the humor of the selection
OF ROGUE GONZALES CARA General
VILLA must be holding his sides with
laughter. The deposed and fugitive
GUTIERREZ, who wore the title of Gen
eral with some warrant, took himself
seriously as head OF the Government.
until his creator manhandled him
roughly at the palace and insulted him
as only Mexican OF Villas type can
insult poor devil OF patriot who
has crossed him.
There Is nothing Of the soldier about
the new man. Senior GARzA IL known
to fame chiefly as tse historian by
MADERo's appointment of the first bat
though respectable literary effort,
pleased none of the Generals who indl-
vldually won the victory. Senior
CARA, a man Of culture and refine
ment, at heart pacificist, has since
been in demand for dignlfied clerical
positions requiring the education
which robuster patriots are without.
Thus he was private secretary to Pres
ident MADERo, and lately has been
serving as president of the rump con-
vention at the capital, which takes
orders from General VILLA. senior
GLEzA's military titles are honorary,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
Food and Work in Britain and
Germany.

The increase in the cost OF food to
the working classes in England on ac-
count of the war is more or less au-
thoritatively fixed at about II per cent.
ia large cities and 10 per cent. in towns
and villages under 10000 inhabitants
The figure Is reached by a comparison
of the prices of long range OF com
modities on December l with the rates
prevailing in last July. The latest re
turns from Germany are for October.
At the close OF the month food prices
in Berlin had risen 1914 per cent, over
those Of July.
The British calculation IL that OF
the Board OF Trade based on its own
statistics and officially published. The
German ones are taken from the
Stdtistische KorrespondenS, Prussian
official paper. In England sugar AMI
eggs show the greatest advancement In
cost. 20 and 81 per cent. respectively
over July, but sugar had dropped from
So per cent. in September to its pres
ent figure, while eggs had risen from
20 per cent. The National Federation
of Meat Traders has made public an
nouncement that retail prices OF home
killed beef need not be more than one
penny a pound higher than a year ago,
coarse joints going up more sharply
than prime ones but the price tabula-
ton shows an increase Of from 7 per
cent for prime British beef to 80 per
cent. for coarse frozen. Potatoes are
cheaper than in July, but owing to the
war duty tea has gone up II per cent. /;
bacon has fallen and milk risen; bread
Is II per cent. up as against IL in
September Margarine dropped from 10
to 3 per cent. increase.
The articles which most affect the
cost OF housekeeping by the Berlin pop
ulace are rye bread, pork, beef, butter,
potatoes, peas beans and lentls. They
have nearly all gone up progressively
In price. According to the latest rec
ord available rye bread Jumped at once
to 14.3 per cent. above July standard
and remains there; pork has risen
from IA in August TO 8 per cent. above
July; beef has dropped from 50 to
AZ: butter was IT above July for sew
eral months, then jumped to 10; po'
tatoes, which at first were mp 37.5, fell
at last to 1875; peas, however, are 11u
per cent. above july beans are O. and
lentils ~ per cent, all three mounting
by successive stages. Besides these ar
ticles on which the poor rely, wheat
bread has advanced 27.7 in price since
July; eggs I'd; lard 231; bacon 291
and rice 40 per cent. Milk has shown
no change whatever and coffee only 80
per cent. increase. Mutton and veal
also, are very little dearer,
Both countries report greatly i'm
proved labor conditions as compared
with the period Just after the war was
declared. But 1t is hard to attach much
importance to the figures in view Of the
millions of men both have under arms
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19

The death OF Lieutenant General
ANAToLE SToEssEL. broken in fortunes
ruined in reputation and crippled by
paralysis, recalls a Russian soldier who
was a national hero while Port Arthur
held out against General NOGT's in.
domitable army and scapeGoat when
the citadel fell with several thousand
men on the effective list and ammuni-
ton and provisions for a longer resist
ance. The surrender Of Port Arthur re-
leased NoGI's veteran infantry for ser
vice il the Mukden campaign, in which
they distinguished themselves h. turn
ing the Russian right at Sinmuntun and
compelling KURoPATKiN 20 draw in his
centre TO save his army.
The japanese victory at Mukden was
not overwhelming or decisive, but the
organization of the Russian forces was
shattered beyond recovery for aggressive
opera lions on large scale. 1t may be
doubted whether the result would have
been different IL SroEssEL had held
NoGI's army in front of Port Arthur
for another month. but the Inundated
Russian Government seized upon the
charges against its defender 10 make
an example Of him. Even NURoPATKIN,
who was a magnanimous witness at the
courtmartial in 81. Petersburg, realized
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19

He has never set a squadron in the
field. He Ia Colonel by courtesy.
Two less congenlal spirits than
GABzA and VILLA are unimaginable.
They have nothing in common, not
even vocabulary. The historian W
the first battle of JuareZ will give the
General no trouble. 1t will not he
necessary to take the new President
Of Mexico by the throat and swear
Ike trooper at him. lie will furnish
his maker with correct and sonorous
Spanish for all occasions and put man
ifestoes into imposing official form
The General will respect his attain
ments and treat him with the consid-
Grafton his docillty deserves.
Senior GARzA MS President is Of
course ephemeral. lie may bc dis
charged insfanter. for IL anything is
certain at the present time it is FRAN
CISCO VILLAS ascendency and para.
mountcy in the city Of Mexico. VILLA
Is really the successor Of HUERTA at
the seat Of government Boss as Il
title fits him bgter than dictator. Like
great many other bosses, his def.
cheney in education and his lack Of the
graces compel him to work by proxy
and give his orders from the wings
Francisco VILLA Is the strong man OF
Mexico, strong In craft and temper,
strong in scorn Of principle. strong If
language always, and strong armed on
occasion
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
THE DIsCREDITED SECRETARY.
How VIM HIS Conduct Affect the Party
Responsible for Hmm

To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-sE! The
continuation OF Mr. Bryan In tho high
office which he has dsgraced IL tho
surest possible way of irrevoca.by dis
creditlng the Democratic Administration
in the eyes of the electorate.
The Democratic snip, with Mr.. Wilson
as It's captain and Mr.. Bryan or Mr.
Daniels as It's pilot is sailing on tho un-
certain waters OF public opinion, and pub
lie opinion, at least American opinion,
whatever It's psychological status, detests
above all things to be ridlculed, SO that
the more Mr.. Bryan or Mr.. Daniels makes
n BOBBY OF himself. and incidentally or
the nation as well, In the eyes of other
nations the more certain and thorough
will be the vengeance of tho people when
they are again called upon TO choose a
captain for the snip of state
There Is n limit to all patience. ana
America Is becoming wearied with tho
lniquities OF the Democratic Administra-
ton. HAROLD FoGEL
NEW YORK. January Is.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
SMOKE HELMETS STAND TEST.
Asa.ssn Expects Important Service
From Rescue Squad.

II would have had tho rescue squad
six weeks ago" said Fire Commissioner
Adamson yesterday, "if II had not been
for tho long time required TO get the
apparatus delivered.
Il began making tests OF smoke helmets
three and half months ago. We tested
every make of smoke helmet that IA made
had brought here from London tho
type OF helmet used by the FIRE depart
ment there.
THE tests were conducted IN the small
concrete building in tho rear OF old Fire
Headquarters on East SiXty-seventh
street. fire was set in this building
and mon wearing the helmets were put in
the building and the door was shut.
They stayed until the intense heat
drove them out Tho room was small
and OF course tho heat was great 50
far as smoke was concerned two or three
OF the helmets demonstrated their value
Only the heat bothered tho men,
II am convinced from these tests that
tho helmets will be OF tremendous help
10 the men in entering cellars, ships and
buildings where the smoke is so dense
that they could not otherwise Eet 70 tho
Are"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
DEATH RATE SHOWS DECREASE,
Increase In Bronchial Troubles ls
onset by Other Reductions

The Increase in the mortality from acu's
bronchitis, lobar and bronchial pneumonia,
which was noted two weeks ago oN
Health Department officials, continued
during the past week The number or
deaths from these causes last UeeN
totalled al. an increase Of So from
these causes over the corresponding
week OF 1914. This big increase va
more than offset i'm the death rate ~
all causes however. owing 20 the decrease
of deaths from measles, scarlet fever pN
mouary tuberculosis, Br,ghts disease ara
nephrtis. The death rate from all causes
combined was i449 per thousand ~ pan'-
lat,on a decrease OF 81 Of poN, .'n
pared to the corresponding Weol, l2s' ear
equivalent To a relative decrease of f"'''-
one deaths.
The death rate for the FIRST three wees.
Of this year was ll.73 per thousand a.
population, as against li62 during 'fs
same period last year.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
Mr. Frank r. walsh's TRADE.

Mr.. FRANK =. WAISTS theory OF
remedy for all the Ills OF life by uni
versal confiscation may he left to the
good sense and honesty OF the people
for adjudication. II Is not likely that
many citizens will see general prosper
ty in general plumber by the Govern
mcnt. II is not likely that many PEG
pie will regard as fair or honest when
backed by the state acts which II com
mltted by private individuals would oh
viously be grand larceny.
1t is not likely that any ordinary
man who sees ahead the hope of ac.
curing substance-elther himself or
his children or even his children's chill
dren-will give Endorsement to n pro-
gramme OF government which lays such
gains or savings open to spollation.
What matter though his probable for
tune be- less than the million of per
dition. the principle is the same. II
the Government can seize a great
anna ssment of wealth it can take II
small one. There is no way OF draw
ing line and no place TO draw It..
Once conhscation begins no mans prop
erty is safe. and the only security will
be in the method pursued under
Oriental tyrannies. that OF converting
all wealth into gold or precious stones
and hiding 1t in the ground,
Mr.. WALsH's talk is far too frenzied
TO call for serious argument The eI-
act measure Of his usefulness from Il
practical point of view is shown in his
proposed remedy for unemployment
Tie gru,riy suggests the creation ot =
national commission to hear the griey-
ances OF all the unemployed as well
as to administer industry for The wei
fare Of the workers. As respects the
present crisis it need only be pointed
out that while the commission was
Matching, unemployment In the broad
sense would probably disappear. Even
were the commission created instan-
taneousy, the idea of meeting an acute
and temporary condition by means OF
an inquiry belongs to the order OF mis-
fit contrlvances.
When the crisis has passed, what Is
there for the cOmmi sSion 70 do? At
normal times there Is no unemploy-
ment in this country worth speaking Of
save in the sick brains Of fanatics. But
sure way TO create II is 10 launch
another commission to NEEDLE with in
dustry Try that. and there will in
deed be neutrality-suspicious. driving
apital Into holes In the ground and re
cesses ~ the back Of chimneys; fear
and anger paralyzing possible employ
ers and driving them into inactivity.
Mr. WALSH might reflect that you can
regulate pay and hours of employment
all you please. hut you cannot compel
employers TO employ.
II Is an oddly of our national sys-
TEN that any man whose notions are
at once so loose and so violent should
hold a prominent place in the Govern
ment enabling him to give some artl-
hcial Importance to his half baked
theories Above all, II IS strange that
man OF such unbalanced viruehce
should be able to usurp a quasi judicial
function and undertake to examine,
condemn and destroy great interests
created for the benefit OF the people.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
mrs. JOHN WOODS "DIXIE."
Was She the Introducer OF Ths Song
to America?

Was size the tntrOuucer OF TINS sOnN
to America?
TO THE EDITOR or THE SUNy-sir: Mrs.
John Wood. the English actress who died
on Tuesday Is identified with United
states history in an Interesting way. She
introduced the song OF Dixie on the
stage OF this country. according to Gov
eminent records. 1t was tnterpolated In
John Brougham's popular buTlesque "Po-
cahontas" In which she was playing In
New Orleans In 1860. The authorship
OF the song has been attributed to Dan
Emmett. the minstrel, but there has been
80 much controversy over II that every
fact connected with It possesses interest
In the book Of "Our Familiar Songs and
Those Who Made Them" very admi-
rable collection published by Henry Holt
and Company IN 1881. prepared by Helen
Kendrick Bangs. It is said:
The original cong OF pixie" was the
composition OF Dan D Emmett OF Bryant.
Ministries and was nrst sung IN New York in
1850 Tho nrst words used for the song
In the South were from a poem entitled
THE star Of the West" published in the
Charleston Mercury early In 1881.
Mark we'll the dates. Now in col
lection OF old sheet music bound into
books as gathered and kept I'm our fam
lily from 1859 to 1875 | ind an original
copy Of Dixie" with this title page
wish was in Dixie
Words ov
J. Newcomb.
Music by
j, c. Viereck
sung BY Mrs. John Wood
New Orleans, Published by p. p. werlen
81 Camp Street
Entered according TO Act Of Congress In
the year 1880
by p p wsrein In the Clerks on: Of the
Dist Court
% the East; Dist: OF La
The words In this edition. which is orr
lier than any other that has been pro-
duced as far as | know, are the we'll
known verses beginning: Il wish I was
IN the land OF cotton" sc. The old song
speaks for itself IN the old books.
Perhaps this sim well preserved and
interesting first edition, now fifty-four
years old, may be link in the contro-
versy over the most inspiring and char
acteristc American national tune we
have.
Some OF your readers may throw addi-
tionaI light on the early records.
YEA
LOUISVILLE, Ky, January II
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
THE SHIP PURCHASE BILL.
Let All Intelligent Men Unite % Defeat
the Mad Project.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUE-str: I
trust the influence OF all intelligent men
will he eNerted to tho utmost in oppos'-
ton to the Infamous ship purchase bill,
now before Congress.
Economically tho bill is utterly vicious
ASIDE from that, TO play party politics by
the commission OF a fragrant breach or
neutrality in such dangerous times as
these is crime against the nation.
! fully appreciate how desperately Mr..
Wilson needs the hyphenated American
vote for his attempt to prolong the
Reign Of Terror another four years but
II he wishes 20 force this country out OF
its attitude OF neutrality let him say
so openly, like a man, and see whether
the country will back him up.
w. Scorr CAMERON.
AIKEN, g. c., January II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19

SoiIss of Tho proposals. sc- che revival
Of American shipping framed by the
committee on merchant marine OF the
Boston Chamber OF Commerce may be
debatable. but there is no room for dis
cusslon or doubt as to the wisdom OF
the second proposition:
"A prompt revision and undermining OF
tho navigation laws and regulations, so
far az they unnecessarily Increase the
cost OF operating American ships as com
pared with foreign vessels"
All expert opinion agrees. has agreed
for years. that the artificial burdens on
American shipping. oppressive dues and
m.schievous inspections, TO which Of
late rulnous employment exactions have
been added are the true cause OF the
disappearance OF the American flag
from foreign commerce The repeal Of
the statutes which place American
ships at hopeless disadvantage in the
carrying trade would be an immediate
inducement for the investment OF capt.
tai. II Is sufficiently remarkable that
IL is impossible to get any move made
to give rational relief In this way. yet
that wild schemes calculated only TO
complete the ruin of the country's mer-
chant marine should seize hold OF the
leaders OF the Government and a con-
siderable element in Congress. Any
glitterlng danger seems more attractive
to statesmen nowadays than tho plain
unvarnished course Of reason and
reality.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19

There are from time TO time here,
there and everywhere, famboyant acts
OF law enforcement perpetrated by the
police authorities from which It Is i'm
possible to eliminate altogether the idea
Of malice when Saturday evening ls
selected for a raid on a suspected
gambling resort in a community where
bail cannot be taken on Sunday. and
a large number OF men who cannot by
any stretch OF language be called
criminals are disgraced and Inundated
10y being dragged to Jail and kept there
over two nights. there IL flavor OF
persecution about the proceedings
which should arouse the resentment of
all fair minded people
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
Tho Unrecon.tructed BeI.i.n.

To THE EDITOR or The suS--Sir' An un-
forsiving Belgian frequently made II a
point while under the influence OF liquor
to remark in the hearing of a certain Ger
man commander:
Didn't we give them some hell for a
while at LieGe?"
The German ofneer, who finally required
this Belgian to take an oath OF allegiance,
happened TO meet the latter. when he eN-
planned TO him why he deemed such a
procedure necessary and hoped that he fully
realized the nature OF his oath. and that
he would behave In the future. The Bel
gian. slightly tipsy again, remarked after
assurances that he understood the oath:
But say. didn't they give us he'll Tor
a while az Lege7" j. HgNRr
HIdHLANp FALLS. January i6
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
From Grand Opera to Vaudeville.


The secession OF the opera singers,
grand opera singers" 10 give them
their grandlose title, to the vaudeville
theatres is more frequent in England
than It is in this country. EMMA
ALBANI made her last public appear
ances in London music hall, and
there have sung in recent seasons
EDYrH WALKER and MAGGIE TEYTE
In the majority OF cases, however,
there are reasons why the artist
should take to the more dramatic
stages of the music halls.
Opera Is an aristocratic entertain
ment. but opera singers are yearly
growing more democratic. Our own
Hippodrome stage has served as a
platform for the most distinguished
OF them Then they have in some cases
not disdained to appear in comic
opera. The appearance OF Nine. ScHU-
MANN-HEINK In operetta did not in the
least diminish the feelings of admira-
ton and affection which her public
had so long felt toward her; it gained
for her new admirers.
The present tendency of onerntic
celebrities to reveal their talents in
the music halls is likely to be advan-
tageous to the public. as well as to
themselves
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
DRUGGISTS SHOW AT GARDEN.
Made In the I. :, A." Goods EHhih-
tied In 33G Booths.

The American Druggists Syndicate. 3 zoe
operative organization embracing '"''
retail druggists and 5000 phys.. tn>
opened yesterday at Madison Squar" g"-'
den a "Mad-dn the y. $, A. expo" u"S
Merchandise, foods drugs and -,-.
were shown, The Garden was decorator
in blue and white There We're 536 b''U.N
of which 200 contained displays out,~
the American Druggists syndicate
The ninth annual meeting OF the p,uE
gists Syndicate was held In tho nor'it
The question az to whether an S per cen.
or / 0 per cent, dividend shall be de'."'''
will he decided later by the s,ochholdert
Fifty per cent. OF the proceeds 10. nv
sale of the exposition programme VIA 20
TO the Red Cross War Relief Fund
The exposition will be open Afternoon"
and evenings for Ave days
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-19
More Bostoniyed Foster.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suN--Str. Why
didn't your correspondent IN" give the
additional verse to old Uncle Ned?
append II:
His digits were elongated
Like the bamboo formation in the south ern
plantations.
And he had oculars with which to desory.
He had no dentais 10 mRsticate the cake
made from corn.
Consequently was Obliged TO foreEo IA uss
And allow the hoscaks to pass with i'm
punity.
NEW YORK, January ~ w.