davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Loans for Fhemen.

II Ia rather q sad commentary on the
condition of the members Of one OF the
most efficient branches Of this citys SER
vice that an institution such as the New
York Firemen's Emergency Fund has TO
he established. This, described as phil
antbropic association "to emancipate the
fremen from the shackles Of the loan
shark" is 10 lend money TO fremen on
their notes when approved by the captain
Of the company In which they serve or
the advisory board, made up Of Fire De-
partment officials, for term OF eight
months at 4 per cent. Such terms are pct
ter than firemen can now obtain from any
regular loan organization, and, to judge
from the cases which come before officials
Of the department when men are gued for
loans and the like, will be a genuine god
send to many overburdened firemen.
The firefighter starts his service at
81 900 a year. The first grade fireman
receives 81, 400 a year. He has expenses
for uniforms and other things which q
person in private employment at similar
salary would be unlikely TO have. To be
sure, he may look forward to retirement
on a pension when disabled, or to pen
sion for his widow If he be killed In per
Torrance Of his duty. These advantages
however, do not pay the landlord or the
grocer.
The "srnoke eater" is a good, sturdy citi-
zen. He asks nobodys sympathy In his
difficulties-and for that matter his are
no worse than tbs policeman's, and proba-
bly, not half so bad as many an overour-
dened clerks In this great, wealthy city.
There will be general satisfaction, though
that through the generosity Of the incor-
porators Of this emergency fund the tenn
porary anxieties Of many members Of this
faithful band may be relieved and their
minds be clear of worry in the midst Of
their difficult and dangerous service.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
SPECIAL LIBRARY CARDS
Withdrawing Them Puts a Handicap
on Research and Scholarship.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir! Let me follow the letter In this morn
! ine's Tribune regarding the withdrawal Of
special student and research cards by the
city library. feel that your correspondent
! has understatsd the case II |. most unjust
that the library authorities withdraw q priv
/ ilege that has been In operation. 70 me, for
the last six years, and doubtless 70 hundreds
Of workers along professional lines, 70 say
nothing Of students. This privilege Is IN
operation ct all the libraries in large cities
In this country, and is a very necessary one.
For the student In a large city books relating
70 special phases Of bis course are at pre-
MUM In the college library, and the city
library is his only other source Of supply.
And these books are Of no use unless they
can be used at leisure, not subject 70 re-
turn for reasonable period Who could
master Rants catezories on the time allowed
the average library cardI Who would re-
member, in course Of such strenuous mental
digestion, to return the book for renewal
periodically to escape the annoyance Of
finest And this applies also to the research
and professional worker.
II the expensive luxury that the city has
invested in cannot be used TO its fullest ca
pacity and advantage BY citizens, then the
library is not fulfilling its function. The
only excuse the officials can offer is that
these books are out Of circulation for too
long time on the special card. Well, can
prove from personal experience that these
books, by their nature and contents, are
dusty on the shelves but for the special
student and worker.
AZ for special work IN the main hall OF
the central building, nothing 10 more dis
tracing or impossible. After waiting for
an age, the various books are slowly assem-
bed, and at crowded table their heavy and
important contents are expected TO be d.
gested In the space of, let as say, nine hours
work, with sightseers and casual readers
providing constant irritation and distrac-
ton. What is more, II the officials feel that
these books are really out Of circulation
when on a special card, they have rule
protecting them from abuse Of this privilege
by which on notice or request they can re-
call any Of these books | fear they are
trying to pretend an economic pressure In
recalling these cards, which are of little or
no expense. And when we consider the func-
ton Of this costly system to the city the
question remains: Are we taxed TO have
the library an emporium for light ephemeral
fiction, or Is II TO serve the purpose IL was pri-
marily created for-to facilitate study and
scholarship among those who cannot run and
read7 TAXPAYER.
New York Dec. 23, 1918.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Wedding Out Criminal Detectives

Police Commissioner Woods's establish
ment of laboratory TO examine prisoners
10 ascertain whether any are mentally de-
fective Is as notable en- advance in police
methods as was the establishment Of the
Bertillon system of records. II marks the
end of hit-or-miss scheme Of doing bust
ness and the beginning of modern, SCI
cntifc attack on one of the problems which
confront the police.
II is a fairly well accepted theory that
all criminals are Of abnormal mentality.
Assuredly some of them are, not in any
obscure degree, but broadly-imbecile,
feeble-minded, degenerate. In the two
months during which this laboratory has
been in operation Or. Bisch, Of Columbia,
and Inspector Faurot, who are IN charge,
have ascertained that about per cent of
the prisoners brought in for the lineup
before the detectives are abnormal men
tally. On that scale, some thirty persons
Of those arrested each day are irrespon-
sible.
Among the cases already handled by
the laboratory, one may be selected as
typical Of the value of this work. This
prisoner was arrested for assaulting and
robbing a clerk in a cigar store, threaten
ing 10 shoot him, and for actually firing
several shots at the policemen who finally
arrested him. His mental development
was found 70 be that Of boy Of eleven
years. He had long criminal record, be
ginning in 1907, when, arraigned for grand
larceny, sentence was suspended. In the
following year he went TO Elmira on that
charge. In 1913 he was sent TO the Erie
County penitentiary and the next year he
was sentenced 70 eight months imprison-
ment In the same institution for assault
This prisoner is now serving q sentence Of
ten years In Sing Sing on the robbery
charge, though his condition In al proba-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Not a Municipal Undertaking.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; | should like to correct few misap-
prehensions concerning the Community Tree
Of Light that will shine in Madison Square
for a week beginning Christmas Eve.
/ have seen II stated that 1t is city IN
dertaking, and therefore paid for by the mu-
nicipality. This is not the case. small
group, entirely anonymous, stands back OF
this tree Any one may become a member Of
this group by sending a contribution to the
Tree Of Light account, Plaza Branch, Union
Trust Company, New York City. These con-
trbutions are much needed rs the expense
at present falls rather heavily on the few
whose civic spirit and idealsm originated an
expression of the Christmas feeling that has
swept all over the country. The Community
Christmas Tree has become an American Gus
tom, glttering through the winter nights in
towns and cities from one coast to the other
from the Canadian 70 the Mexican border.
The Edison Company gives the current for
the electric lighting of the tree. Every
thing else is paid for, except the singing, the
choruses, led by Victor Harris, giving Of
their services free
HILDEGARDE HAWTHORNE
New York, Dec %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Mr.. Ford's Return.

The mists of conjecture for the present
obscure Mr.. Ford's retirement as COM
mander Of the expeditionary army OF
peace. If he is seriously i'll, a report
which every one will hope Is untrue, 1t will
seem rather surprising that he should I'M
medlately undertake the stormy return
voyage to these shores, TO be tossed about
for another fortnight Of extreme dis
comfort and without the inspiration Of his
crusade 10 brace him. But If he is simply
disguised with the discord among his fol-
lowers and the small measure of success
for his mission in sight, there will be
every disposition, though sympathizing
with him in the pain of his long delayed
awakening, to condemn him as a gutter
Really, Henry Ford has a great deal to
answer for to his fellow citizens. Having
watched the Spirit Of '76 and Of 81 60 by
the board they chung all the more desper-
ately to that Of 1898, when General Coxey,
at the head Of his regiments, braved the
mighty forces Of ridicule, dissension and
disbursement and marched to the very
portals of the national Capitol, penetrating
the enemy's stronghold. But Mr.. Ford
has not come within sight or sound Of the
trenches; he has penetrated only the fringe
Of hostile territory, and apparently ne has
abandoned the whole business, deserted his
fellow pilgrims after final disagreement
of coin, and fled the limelight in panic.
Americans have often proved themselves
fatuous idealists, but they have never be-
fore been known as cutters. Is Mr.. Ford
to add this final humiliation 10 the accu-
mutation Of their shame? Is he to bring
this one remaining tradition Of a noble
past crashing down about our earsH
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
A T. R. Follower.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir, As an American. I rejoice exceedingly
on the fact that we have one man who be-
the courage Of his convictions and 10 10,
afraid 70 dsnounce in the most fitting an!
proper words the yacillating foreign pOsa
OF the present administration and the con.
temptible and despieable policies Of the pesc,
at-any-price portion Of our people. am glst
to be a follower Of Roosevelt, and for hin I
will be, If I am the last one In his nsh
Your position, as shown by your editorial
Is simply superb. am now a regular rsstr
of your paper. and that l am not alone b
this regard, In this Quaker City, Is shor
by tho faos tina. my request for The Tribua
Is often met by the reply, "All out" and th
only after repeated requests at differs,
stands that get what I want. May rT
circulation IN Philadelphia equal that Of Eu
York; WILLIAM Fl. HOBSOA
Philadelphia, Penn, Dec. 20, 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
They Have Done So.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; May | ask why stenographers do
not combine and form a strong Stenogra-
piers Mutual Protective and Help League
There is no class Of workers in America who
require league of protection, help and adj
vice so much as the young women stenogra-
piers Of this country.
l am told there are 10000 in New York
City alone. Suppose 10 per cent of them
Joined and paid. say, 30 cents month each ;
this would give 81 600. Deduct rs per cent
for working expenses, and there would be
200 month for assisting those in dis
tress, for a weekly sum in case Of illness or
sccident, lawyers advice and assistance in
case of having to sue or being sued. and.
above all, TO propagate movement for every
stenographer 20 have So week, and again 20
pay the expenses of some experienced matrons
to whom they could go for advice, encour-
agement and consolation and 10 whom they
could recte their many troubles, trials and
temptations.
Here is a splendid opportunity for a New
York lady with wide range Of experience
and plenty OF leisure, anxious TO benefit
those Of her sex who work for living
J. 7. DAVIES.
Me- Yo,l n. a COX
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
In Search of a New York Husband.

ANY lady, whether she be widow or
spinster, greatly strengthens her plea for
a New York husband when she complains
of lonesomeness in Chicago. New Workers
who have travelled that far know what it
means to be lonesome In Chicago, to be sur
rounded by the native and adopted sons OF
that articulate city, each one bent upon
impressing the visitor with the grandeur
of the municipality which battles its toes
In Lake Michigan, and with the decadence,
prehistoric squalor and insignifcance Of
that poor old parent, Father Knickerbock-
err. Barred from share in the communal
pride which sustains and stimulates every
Chlcagoan, increasingly conscious Of his
lowly origin, unprepared amid salvos Of
statistics, the New Yorker In Chicago can
at last find solace only in a rendering of
the famous refugee ditty, "Be it ever so
humble, there is no place like home"
But the lady in question 1--WE refer now
10 Police Commissioner Woods's recent cor
respondent) Immediately weakens her
request that he find her q husband be-
tween thirty and forty years Of age, by
adding: 81 do not care for young man"
In these parts no youngster in his thirties
will relish such blindness to his Astounding
youth. If, on the other hand, she had said,
az want a young man, but do not care for a
boy" how completely diplomatic and APP
pealing would have been the expression
Of her desire, But she has lived five
years in Chicago, and under these cir
cumstances one should not expect per-
lection of diplomacy even in widow of
twenty-five with sweet little girl four
years old" Besides, she may be judging
Of ages from Chicago models.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
do THEY WANT ROOSEVELT
oOa-h
'lO Rsder the conclaiO o Taft Root and Roosevelt
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In two recent ytgorou. .d,,o,.,.
timely and significant indeed. IN. Tr,A,.'
has to say that the present generation A.
little respect for political parties and l...
for politicians
The Tribune Is exactly right In hi. n.
national ferment." as you say. thl, .,..
strengthening sentiment. has been rs,,,,.
sweep steadily for the past FIVE year.. H.
manifested, after three months Of ors,,,,.
ton as the National Progressive Par, 4.
total Of nearly four and a sixth uIn..
votes; that Is, about 100000 NOR. TIA, A.
lepublican candidate received
OF course, now that the Progressive,
back In the fold" the Bull Moo.. 1, 49,
But is III Only last year Governor E,,,-
Johnson. the Progressive, ran as q Prom.
sivs for reelection. The registry shovel A..
the Republicans had enrolled many A..
voters than the Progressives and D.noe,,
put together. And, OF course, the oppo,Iu.,
had much TO say Of a deceased Moose ~.
people are tired Of Teddy" said the reac.,,,
airy element, "and we've had enough OF .E,.
Hiram'"l But Johnson, as Progr,,,,,
was returned to Office by an overwhslnI,,
vote, a plurality bigger. both In numbs, A,
percentage Of the total vote than tia. Of M,
Governor In the history Of the state
So II goes, Mr.. Editors many Of the koo,.
are back In the fold"i but whyi The nov.
ment which you know animates the men Al
women Of to-day and was organized IN isu
as the National Progressive Party eanno, A.
shacklsd or stayed viii the Republican, A,
to It's expression--or will 1919 have 70 b, n.
peatedl
In conclusion, q word about the candId..
who Is TO beat Mr.. Wilson. Your Kinut.
(of last Monday correspondent msnus,,
Taft, Borah, Hadley. Burton and Weeks 81
asserts. "The nominee will be regular q.
will be nominated by regulars" Assm
American with malice toward none, b.. An,
ness In the right" as desthless Lincoln ~
sincerely said, doesn't II seem utterly lnr,t
ible that not one of these men who IN
jockeyng for position in the race for a,
trusteeship Of this land Of tho free hsu Ia.
the temerity, the American manhood, 10 d.
clare himself on the Lusitsnia mssssera ,
crime which out-Herods such Affairs az Ia,
Of the Alamo and dwarfs the Black HoI, ..
Calcutta ARTHUR A. GILLrg.
Ellenvilie, N. Y, Dec. 81. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
The Republican Alternative.
Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: May add one more answer 70 your
question, do They Want Roosevelt" d.
the bosses want him7 No. Do the people
want him7 Yes. They wanted him in 1905
and he refused their call. They wanted him
in 1912 and the bosses cheated him out OF
the nomination.
Do the Republicans desire another four
years of Democratic misrulel II not, they
will have TO do one Of two things-either
nominate Roosevelt or a man whom Roose-
welt can support; such a man as Justice
Hughes or Senator Borah. II the owners OF
the Republican party Barnes, Penrose &
Co.. will not permit this they can look for
ward once more TO carrying the states Of
Vermont and Utah, with eight votes In the
Electoral College. GEORGE H. HORNE, Jr.
Brooklyn, Dec, 20, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26

recover damages, as he might a private
or corporation employer.
Most of the states Of the Union-thirty-
three, 70 be exact-have workmen's com
pensation statutes, and all Of these are
rated far In advance of the one for the
handling of cases of injured Federal en-
ployes. There is manifest injustice in this
negation Of social justice, the grosser be-
cause the employee has no right TO sue for
something resembling q money value for
his injuries. No particular opposition to
this bill has been manifested. It merely
failed 20 pass-was overcome by the
inertia Of the big, slow-moving Congress.
1t should meet no such fate this session. It
deserves to pass; It ought to be passed as
matter of decency and justice.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Siri The New York Tribune has been IN
the writer's home for three generations ano
he very much doubts II Horace Greeley pre-
sented such an editorial page to his fore-
fathers as ha. obtained since the Inception
Of the European war.
Your correspondent is an organization Re
publican; Hrst, because he believes In Eepuo-
licsn principles, and, secondly, because he Is q
firm believer in organization. Il is obvious
tha, the former triumph OF Republican prin'
ciples has been largely due TO the mastery
Of Republican organization.
Your powerful appeal for Roosevelt support
cannot be directed successfully 70 Repuoli
can. who still possess fealty 10 the hepuoli'
can party except By direct appeal to their
American citizenship. They have not for-
gotten that the man who had been most
honored by the Republican party In his gen
Grafton set out deliberately to wreck and
destroy It!
While the Republican party has not for
gotten the betrayal of Roosevelt In 1872
perhaps it has forgiven him.
The Tribune cannot lose sight Of the fact
that as Horace Greeley defeated Seward in
the Republican National Convention in 1850
at Chicago, so in that same city in 1915 ex-
President Taft and Senator Root can defeat
Roosevelt
The three leading statesmen In America
to-day are Roosevelt Root and Taft, the
three men who are most qualified, by expe
rience and the confidence Of their country
men, to rescue their country's lost prestige
and TO preserve her honor and her institu-
lions. These thee statesmen hold the future
Of their country In their own hands. The
Republican party cannot be utilized as an in
strument In the salvation of the country ex-
cept through the reconciliation Of their
broken friendships.
With these three foremost statesmen recon
ciled the citizenship Of the nation would
rise en- masse to their support and TO that
Of tho Presidential candidate for whom they
should jointly invite the suffrage Of their
countrymen.
No one can question the unselfshness OF
Mr.. Root and Mr.. Taft. Would that the
same could be said of Mr.. Roosevelt
If the New York Tribune, the most power
full wielder OF public opinion in America to,
day. should direct It's appeal to Roosevelt
Root and Taft 70 reconcile their individual
and party differences in the interests of their
country It would bring about It's own answer
to its vital editorial, do the People Want
Roosevelt HOWARD C. GRIFFITHS.
New York, Dec. 20, 1918.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Compensation for Federal Workers.

In all the weller Of preparedness de
bates and discussion Of emergency reve-
nue-raisers il is 70 be hoped that Congress
viii not fail 20 act this session, as 1t did
last, on the bill 20 improve and extend the
scope Of the compensation law for injured
Federal employees. This measure, which
will again be handled by Representative
McGnlicuddy, Of Maine, is sadly needed.
II has been approved by the Federal Blu
reau Of Labor Statistics. and It's enactment
Is desired by the officials who have 70 do
with eases Of injured workers for the
government.
Professor Seagcr, Of Columbia, who is
president Of the American Association for
Labor Legislation, declared the other day
that the law Of 1906. which it is proposed
- amend was the worst Of rs kind in the
worid-"a national disgrace" Under 1t
about rs per cent Of the half-million
Federal workers are not entitled 10 com
pensation for injuries; and the injured
worker may not sue the government 10
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26

limited States, nor any divided sentiment as
now. as to where we ought TO stand
We would all have been with our
loader This war would have been stopped
ere this Roosevelt would have found way
20 end this strife and kept US free from en-
tanclement. He Is man Of action ana
thought sincerely wish 70 be able to cast
ny ffteenth ballot for him next Novem Der
1919. and shall do so If he receives the
Republican nomination at Chicago. said IN
1912 and later tina, I would never vote for
him again, but have repented, as many other
i"old fellows" have dono. The one danger 20
the Republican party Is its control by the
corporate interests and the old stand pat
.ers." Let US all stand united for the best
man, one whom the country needs, Theodore
Roosevelt. WILLIAM NJ. PECK.
Dumont n. J., Dec. is, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Enough Censors Now.

from The Prortdohoo yournaIJ
bill for Federal Commission 70 regu-
late motion pictures is one that can be side
tracked In Congress without detriment 10
the interests Of the country. The police
powers Of the states in which the films ere
exhibited are broad enough 70 insure the
suppression of improper pictures. So far as
is known, local censorship meets all reason
able requirements.
A Federal Board Of Censors with an army
Of inspectors would take large sums from
the national Treasury without rendering any
commensurate service Of value. The work
proposed would be superfuous. This is no
time for the creation Of useless Jobs al Wash
ington. With new taxes in sight the public
is in no mood TO pay the salaries and ex-
penses Of more unnecessary commissions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Pledged to Roosevelt.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; ! have voted the national Republican
ticket regularly since 1860, when voted for
Lincoln. have always been regular" ever
since a lad Of sixteen, when l shouted FOR
Fremont and JESSIE received my Repub-
lcansm from The Tribune when its editor
was Horace Greeley. l have read The Trib-
uns regularly for over sixty years. first
read the weekly, then the semi-weekly and
later the daily. l have always been great
admirer Of Teddy" and voted for him until
1912.
If Roosevelt had been President last year
there would have been no breakdown" by the