davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23

them offense. However, much could
 be done toward abolishing the lobby if all who make statements before committees do so under oath. If the
 petitioners appear In person let them be placed under oath and pun-
 ish them for perjury if they give false testi ony Every petition should be sworn to in order that lawmakers may get at facts. A few years ago in one state the question of taxation was be- fore the legislature as special fea
 ture. On one day a rich man ap- peared before the commit
 the members that if the bill were passed it would bankrupt him. He stated that he did an enormous busi
 ness and was possessed of valuable property, which would become value less were the taxing bill, as recom- mended, to become law. The next day the committee heard the tax as sessor or this mans home. The as sessor testified that the rich man had sworn before him that he owned no property and had to borrow money to defray household expenses. Evidently one of the statements was not true. He was but one of many who made misleading assertions To obViate this the witnesses should appear Tn person and give testimony as sworn witnesses do in the courts. Many bad laws are placed in the statute books because the men who made them lack reliable information. Lob- byists are smooth individuals, men who are not always paragonS Of truth and veracity, and the legisla- tors could easily protect themselves by adopting the above suggestion.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Reno Will Thrive Once More.
(NcW York Times

Nevada, should not her governor take action now unexpected. will soon be again as formerly the willing pro- wider of prompt and easy, though not particularly cheap, release from marital bonds for everybody irked thereby in other and less obliging parts of the country. Tn other words, both branches of the Nevada Iegis- lature have passed a bill reducing from a year, as now, to six months, as formerly, the period of residence required for getting a divorce on any of the many grounds of divorce recog- nized as valid in most of the western states
 This means return of the old prosperity to Reno's lawyers and her providers of temporary homes, but it also means the renewal of what many people even in Nevada itself, as we'll as still more out of it, have regarded as a scandalous situation, and the bill went through the legislature in the face of strong opposition. That will give something of needed consolation to those to whom the very idea of di- vorce is repugnant. Others, who view divorce as recognizing that marriage, in the true sense of the term, is no more, rather than as the breaking of an existent tie, will not much, or even at all, mind Nevada's return to her old habit.
 That there is "mOney' in easy di- vorce rather conlplicates the situation as a moral problem, but those who say that the problem is social not moral, will pass over that circum- stance very lightly. To nobody, how ever, is a "divorcc colony'' exactly q pleasing spectacle, and it is more than doubtful if the real interests of .nv town are advanced by the possession of one widely notorious
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Objected to Kissing.

Osculation figures in some recent court proceedings of which The ot Louis Globe Democrat remarks: strange osculatory incidents come to the public notice from different parts of the country and with increasing frequency. First do we read that youth in southern city pursued by young and charming matron bent on bestowng an intiatory salute upon him because he said he had never been kissed, fell out of a door twenty feet from the ground and fractured an arm and three ribs. Then comes a dis patch relating that a gentleman In Washington, D. C., has brought suit for. 300 damages be- cause "certain ladies whose names are unknown to plaintiff left the stage and that one of the did assault the plaintiff with intent to kiss plalnt'ff; that said plaintiff attempted to push the said young lady away; that said young lady did, nevertheless continue to assault said plaintiff; that said young lady did kiss the plaintiff and that plaintiff did no act to encourage the assault" similar suit was brought in a western city, the name of which we do not recall, some months ago. These unusual cc- currences seem to point to a hitherto unnoticed or at least unsuspected masculine prejudice against osculation not suggested and operated by the masculine. In tEe case of the south ern boy who was so badly broken up in the affair there is litte philosophiz- 1 ing to do; perhaps one shouldn't be too comm unicative of ones unsophis- i tication As for the advertisement f1r tIn Croy be a careful man should ask at the i box office before buying his ticket, l say, Mister. is this kissing show or l not ?''
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Immigration Under Restraint.
Providence JournaI.)

Ai ioNileI1CS JOuIIdl.J
 There was never less need than at the present time for any such artificial restraint on immigrat tion as was pro- posed by the literacy test. The war -s operating effectually to cut it down. The immediate prospect, indeed, is for an awkward shortage. A famine, not a deluge, is likely to be the com plalnt-an unfamiliar one for this country. Has there ever been a period in our annals when statesmen or economists were troubled because newcomers were not arriving fast enough, or in sufficient numbers?
 Great numbers of potential emil grants are in the armies. And other difficulties, indirectly or directly due to the war confront those who might cnoose to come over at this time. The rolling tides of recent years are re- duced to uncertain streams. For the last six months of 1914, 204,8S4 alien immigrants arrived. For the same period of the year before the number was 734, S69. The total for the whole Of last year, 8,495, was fewer than fil the last six months period of 1913.
 Not for twelve years has there been so small an annual showing. An esti- mate for the coming year, of course, must consider the situation as it ex- 1sted in the last preceding six months. Even if the war should end before the year is run out, the resumption of inn migration in anything like the former amount would hardly follow at once. On the basis of the figures for the war months, it would fall to a level that, in proportion. to the present popula- ton. is far below anything experienced for more than half a century, disre- garding the Civil war period. For the past ten fiscal years-which end June 3o-the average annual immigration has been nine hundred thousand. If this is not more than halved for the fiscal year now eight months along, it will be surprising. The prospect raises economic ques- t1ons of peculiar gravity. It would not be easy to estimate the unfavor- to attempt to estimate the unfavor- able consequences-or balance these against what may be favorable Few will doubt that the unfavorable ones will be dominant.
 The single plain fact is the coun- try is about to be faced with a new condition. It is no longer a question Of what We shall do with the immi- grants. It may become a very serious question of what we shall do without them.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Mount Vernon Again.
CNew York Press.

Without passing upon the charges
 the critics of the conduct of Mount
 Vernon, visited by so many Ameri- cans eager to see the tomb and home of George Washington. there seems to be the strongest argument on grounds of patriotism, for doing away with the fee system now prevalent at that institution.
 European nations have capitalized their places of historic interest. and have been severely scored by Amer ican travellers for doing SO It is n pity that the shrine of the Father of His Country" should be the scene for a similar procedure upon the~ part of American citizens.
 The government spends thousands annually for show places of lesser and few spots, even within the national capital, are more sacred than the Virginia Mecca of. thousands that go there every year. If the government could not main tain Mount Vernon and give free aex cess to it's house and ground it seems that private citizens might be found to create a fund for this purpose. Even a fee system on certain days. q plan adopted by the Corcoran Art would be less obtectiona bIe than the present arrangement
 In line with this opening of George home to ais many foIlx.- as possible was the suggestion to have if open Sundays. There could be no improprietY in having the spot of most sacred memory to patriotic Americans open seven days Q week. with every facility for free inspec- ton.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Tclephoning From q Train.
 Providence JOurnal)

The first complete test of the wire less telephone in transmitting mes- sages from a moving train was made the 7th on the Delaware, LackaWanna and Western railroad and was en- trely successful. The messages were sent to Binghamton from points up to tWenty-siX miles both east and west of that city, and were received and copied without difficulty.
 More than a year ago the wireless telephone was used by the same rail- road Tn sending messages from fixed stations to moving trains, and for that transmission a current of three volts was suff1Glent to operate the re- ceiving apparatus but 11O volts were needed U operate the powerful trans hitter. Four months were occupied in equipp1ng a train with the sending apparatus, combination mail and baggage car being remodeled to ac- comm odate a five horsepower steam turbine taking steam from the loco motive, and the first four cars of the train were fitted with aerial wires eighteen inches above t;1e tops of the cars
 The system will be practicable. it is said, for distance of fifty miles, and with divisional stations about 100 miles apart the train telephone will be available for the entire length of the road from Hoboken to Buffalo. It will not only be of great con- venience to passengers with emergent reasons for prompt communication with persons at distance, but with further adaptation it will greatly fla cilitate the operation of freight trains, which at present are obliged to make frequent stops for telegraphic instruc- tiOns.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Forcibly Feed Big Snake With Food Gun

(Popular Mechanics Magazine)
 After being imported from India, the largest snake caged in the Iin- coin Park Zoo, at Chicago, steadfa stlv refused to take nourishment and was believed to be gradually starving to death. h In the several months of his captivity his weight decreased from 300 to 215 lbs. Numerous methods for rousing him were tried without success until a food gun was purchased and the reptile fed forcibly. The in- strument is provided with a large cyl lnder and a plunger actuated by a crank. The snake was taken from his his summer coat was removed, and then placed on 9 board, fifty feet in length, at the end of which the food gun with it's cylinder. loaded with twen- ty pounds of chopped pork and beef mixed with fresh pigs blood, was mounted. The strength of twenty en was required to carry out this op- eration. A board through which circular hole was drilled was then in- serted between the repti1s jaws, and a tube extending from the nozzle of the food machine passed through this into his throat. The crank was turned and the meat forced into the snake. Before the operation was finished fif- ty pounds of the mixture was disposel or Tn this manner, and the snake was then returned to his cage
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
.sBuILD NOM

The New England Hardware Dealers Association is in session in Boston and considera ble attention is
 being given the slogan: Build Now.'
 which has been pushed to the front
 during the past few months. If a
 man contemplates erecting new
 building it is explained that there are
 some advantages in having the work
 done now because it can be done
 cheaper than at any time in recent years and cheaper than it can be done
 later in the year This Build Now campaign has been urged with much force of argument and it has been said that to adopt it would be an excellent way to improve business conditions.
 It has never appeared as if the
 winter time was good time to build a, house Or a factory because it must necessarily be accompanied by certain expenses that would not be encoun- tered at any other season of the year. If the foundation is built before the frost sets in the rest is easy, especial ly on inside work but there are men at the convention in Boston who say that building can be done cheaper now and presumably they know whereof they speak. It is no doubt true that business could be vastly inn proved if there was not so much hesi- tancy on the part of those with money tc put it into circulation when there is talk of industrial depression. This hesitancy, or absolute unwillingness to undertake new work at such times makes it worse. The hedging, the desire to wait until business improves is what makes the depression more difficult to overcome, while the people would save money if they took ad- vantage of such times and did their building when the people need the work and the storekeepcr, the butcher and the baker need the money. If those with funds would only see the problem in the light that others see it the country and the individual would be better off.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
THOSE WHO DO NOT VOTE.

The New London Telegraph says that ex-Senator Spellacy's bill to compel voters to come to the polls on election day will not pass the legisla- ture. Perhaps not, but it might be we'll to remember that this is only an- other feature of a movement that has been in the works for years. Hereto fore the proposition has been to make 1t easier for the voters to go to the polls and to this end some time ago It was proposed to have state and national election days holidays so that factories would be closed and the em- ployes free to go and come when they pleased It was argued against that measure that if the, factories Were closed that instead of voting the en- ployes would make a holiday out of it and would go out of town. The bill never had much backing but this ar gument killed If.
 Why should a man have the right of franchise if he will not exercise it? There are men in every city of the state who do not vote on election day and if they are importuned as to the cause they canot give a satisfactory explanation. They simply are not in terested, they do not care who are nominated or elected for public office and if they ever go to tho polls it is in a team or an automobile hired at the expense of some party organization If there are any sound reasons against MT. Spellacy's bill and not wholly against the object sought, then it would seem as if proper amendment would bring the matter out right. Something ought to be done with the man who will not vote. If he does not use his right to vote then it is a fair question to ask of what value is the vote to him and if it has no value for him then why should he retain it? Let us all be fair about this matter.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Safety First.
Springfield Republican,

tSpringfield Republican,
 The congressional situation now shapes itself so as to please the coun- try. Only app1 opriation bills will be considered in the senate for week, and the agreement even goes so far as to permit the republicans to shape the river and harbor appropriations bill as they desire. Senator Bur ton of Ohio becomes possessed in ef- feet of the veto power in relation to every item of that measure, which now carries no less than $36, 100000
 As the republican leader on river and harbor appropriations, he as- sumes a great responsibility in mak- ing the bill a reasonable and eco- nomical piece of legislation. It is to be hoped, for the sake of govern ment finances, that he will cut deep into the bowels of the bill.
 With no filibustering hereafter, con- gress must succeed in disposing of the public business so that no extra session will be necessary account of the supply bills, for there is grat- flying assurance that the president has abandoned the idea of forcing an extra session in order to obtain shipping legislation. While he may be obliged to admit defeat, he can afford to admit it in view of the cir cumstances. The public estimate will be the most favorable of a pres ident who thus proves the accusa- tion of a dangerous obstinacy in his character as a party leader to be ill., founded. MT. Wilson is exceedingly tenacious but by yielding in this bus mess he shows that he also has the l sense not to run full tilt into a stone l wall.
 The country will feel relieved to l have congress adjourn for the spring. l summer and autumn-really long 1 spell. For two years there has been l in effect a continuous session, and the 1 record made has been without par 1 allel But everybody wants rest 1 from legislation Nor can there be 1 the slightest doubt that the country's i foreign relations will be the better handled in the exceedingly difficult period ahead of us if the president and his advisers are left to conduct, them unhampered by congressional of buster. If delicate |
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Two Kinds Of Fools.
tYonkers News. )

The story of the former telephone girl who married a rich man about sixty years older Nthan herself. and who IS now seeking divorce, with heavy alimony, on the ground that she has become so used to luxury that sha, cannot give it up. only proves once more that the luxury of today is the necessity of tomorrow
 It also proves once again that there is no fool like an old fool, who is rich enough to buy a young woman with his money and then hopes to keep hor.
 The kind of young fools that marry old men and the kind of elderly male fools that marry young women don't deserve sympathy or alimony in large sums That kind of young woman would be better off living on the wages she might earn as a worker.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Wet Lcdgers in Maine.
(Portland Argus

. What is probably the Hast word in schemes for smuggling into the city through the emb mbaTgo that is being quietly maintained by the deputies or Sheriff Pennell's staff was brought to light yesterday when the liquor dep uties discovered a copper tank with a capacity of about two gallons in the oven of stove in a shop at S1 Center street. The tank which in all prob ability had been used for the trans portation of contra band booze, was of the exact size and form of book such as is generally used for ledger accounts by business concerns A person with this tank done up in paper under his arm would easily pass for a bookkeeper taking home his ledger to fix up his accounts With the tank was found a syphon of the latest type with a long hose attached Bottles can be filled from the tank by alta aching this arrangement to the nozzle with specially adjusted stop per. No liquor was found about the shop, but in the cellar a case of about three dozen pints was found concealed in a small hand cart such as is used by ice cream vendors and very much on the type of the sO-called hokev- pokey carts.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
NcwDOrt Rcjoiccs
tNeWport Herald.)

It does not seem to take much of A
 prophet to see in the signs of the time
 d great season for Newport in the
 year 1915. Already there have been some very important rentals made and the demand for cottages and villas
 now amounts to competition as to
 who shall obtain this, that or the
 other place. Usually most of those who know Newport wait till the late spring and even until the carly sum-
 mer to decide where they saau put in
 their vacation time. but this wear there is no Europe to visit. and in deed, no places save hot San Fran cisco and the north heastern American watering places to visit The result Is that many have turned to the o,,ean of all the latter-Newport. and cot tage hunting in mid-winter is on hero at a lively rate.
 And recent German declarations nave helped very much. Probably some of the more venturesome wou1a have taken a chance at a run acrose to England for little excitement if Tor nothing else, but surely not now that notification of n dreadful sub- marine blockade has been made. which might mean q cold plunge that mad not previously been arranged for and, perhaps, even a very much worse fate
 AS to Newport's prospects. it is especially promising that the larger places are to be the first to go. These have always been difficult to market. IN oW, though, several of these more extensive estates have been taken and several have been given over to pros pectlVe tenants for periods of consid- eration. And thus Newport continues to gain rather than lose through gen. eral adVersity Here, foF instance, is war elsewhere and the country is 1 moved to make millions of dollars ! worth of torpedoes right here in New 1 port. Here is all Europe transformed | into one vast firebrand and the fash 1 ion of the world decides to gather with us It is improbable that many of us appreciate our unique position
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
Trying to Eliminate Lobbyists.
(Woman's National WeeklyD

Several bills seeking to abolish the lobby have been introduced into diff ferent state legislatures. The lobby nroblem is one difficult of solution because the people are graz
 right to approach their lawmakers. Of course the object is to do away with the persons who undertake to corruptly influence legislators, In times past and to a certain ex- tent today great corporations main
 tain expert and high salaried men to lobby at the national and state capi- tals These en are generally ex
 tre1nely popular and members of leg is1ative bodies do not like to give
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23

situations arise in connection with the war, the administration must be trusted to carry the country through them with as much poise as possf- ble.
 Safety first" has become the chief consideration in our national affairs, and conducive to that will be con- gress sent home and the administra- tion left on guard.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
|AY.''

"bread day. in
 hen free bread bt even the royal
 in the distribu- b destitute as to Appears to have batter of public nust be regarded e plane so that mity among all e to make it so. rance although that it is neces- pod there.
 enditions in our
 people are Eted in the New lat there were n line there at Litin'g for free opearance of the wed that they d been suffering
 It is a bit un- pse receiving free ecause of a war Ire being killed, aid about the
 country, where large and where y for all. There lnter, however, hun gry people in ps in other large ven when the An they are now past six or eight 1t is not because ben good, but be-
 been in the ling care of the B have been, were To defend their [stressing feature hn effort is being |rvation on some e hope of forcing and to bring the while expressing tons. in Europe it look the fact that suffering in our r.
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23
WEEKS OLD.

kgo this morning Rev. Joseph lsekeeper were huanian parson-
 and the causes aths is still a may have some
 in the direction itted the crime
 are keeping it
 can be no mis-
 
 yer, that it has Hnd that they d with many cular being that ye completely
 not leaving a ind by Nvhich The police have p the search as Pession of the arded day and this is taken as l have hopes of guilty parties. E collected some public is not
 it is of any |ther question.
 Fd very peculiar lid have been hickly populated the neighbors 1t wing any the bodies were hter. It seems | It such a crime |mitted and the bout being seen leave it or their Tn to anyone. n as if there noise ] being killed. 1 Revolver might | it would seem l SC me outcry on when the death l No one, 1 and said 1 'le or even sur 1 a disturbance 1 g. The whole lnplete mystery ] been more than for the crime in them all. my people who these two l lse and the sur I
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23

An eminent Boston auth ority says a family of fvescan live on $17 a week. Probably there are thousands of such fa antilles in this broad land of ours that are existing on a great deal less than the amount mentioned-NorWich Record
New Britain herald., 1915-02-23

When it is reported that the New York municipal lodging house has had from 200 to 300 unused beds each night this winter because little work is demanded for the bed and board, it shore that some of those the-country- owes me living people are looking for.--N Norwich Bulletin.