davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18

Convention to apply. Maintenance of city,
county and borough governments within
the limits of the greater city, when there
result duplication Of effort, unnecessary
expenditure, inefiiciency, waste, is so alb
surd as to be almost criminal. To keep
thirty county departments for work which
six could do is course which no sane
business man wouldbe capable of for one
moment.
The Constitutional Convention should
make provision for some such consolida-
ton and Encouragement Of county officials
work as Messrs. Bruere and Wallstein pro
pose. If that should be defeated by mar
row. misguided sense Of local pride-as
previous experience very well indicates ii
might beat least the taxpayers would
have only themselves to blame for the size
of their tax bills.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
The Aldermen's Good Record.

For so many years part OF the annual
work of the Citizens Union has been the
preparation of a report condemning the
Board Of Aldermen that this years report
praising them is almost as unprecedented
as is the existence of board worthy of
praise. Mr.. Curran, the fusion leader, and
his colleagues may well feel that in this
commentator they have reached climax
of appreciation.
Since the "fusion board" was elected
there has been a notable change in the
city's legislative body. There has been
little politics of the old brand and much
hard work. Committees were reorganized
and the board was put on business basis.
Its leaders recognized that they had real
job to do, and they have done it. The
record of the Aldermen for the last year
and a half is one of the best arguments
against doing away with the board. 1t
certainly warrants the reelection of any
of the fusion members who wants to return
to continue such work.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Summer Care for Children.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: An article in a recent edition of The
Tribune upon the great need for continuing
the school session during July and August
as a means of prevention of m schief, acct
dents and crime among children suggests
the shortening of the teachers vacations to
save the expense to the city in providing
other teachers during the summer
The children do need care and entertain
ment; but regular school, which means study
in close and crowded room, would be hard
on teachers and pupils. Just as the teachers
after ten months school work suffer not so
much from physical exhaustion as brain flag,
so do the children, and perhaps more so, as
they have only crowded houses and streets,
while many of the teachers live in the sub
urbs.
Even with better housing and Fairgrounds
for the children it would be wrong to com
pei school attendance during July and
August, unless it was to give them needed
care and as a means of entertainment.
The employment of trained nurses and
three or four readers would fill the require
ments. Each school playground should be
equipped with shower baths and a linen
closet where chlldren's clothing could be on
hand ready for the needy ones. bowl of
bread and milk in the morning and a dish
of ice cream in the afternoon, with some
biscuits, would be special inducement for
attendance.
The entertainment should be in the audi
forum and story reading or telling could be
aided with stereopticon. Children Of all ages
are interested in fairy stories and tales of
travel or stories by Louisa Alcott, Mary
Mapes Dodge, Kate Douglas Wiggin and
other good authors With gymnastic exer-
cises at the close, happy lot of children
would go home each day. When one reads
of the money expended for playground work
at least half as much could be used for this
really necessary care, to say nothing of the
pleasure afforded. Imagine the delight OF
the little tenement children seeing the play
Peter Pan" GERTRUDE NJ. HEALY.
Paterson, y. j. Aug Il, 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Give Britain Time.
OR Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Through the kindness of my brother
living in New York | have perused your re-
cent leading articles, which in the main give
greatest praise in this colossal war to the
German arms, France coming second and Brit
ain nowhere Whenever you mention Britain
il is to saw something disparaging. Not a
word as TO the number of wars we are .wag-
ing nor the work of the navy nor what might
have happened but for Britain. country
that is spending over s3OOO,OOO day is doing
something The war is not over yet. Britain
is not on show working according to dates
and anniversaries, but with one objective
tory. One continual slog for Knockout.
You know Germany, France and Russia
were military nations with armies equipped
for invasion of foreign territory. Britain had
a small expeditonary force that has been
practically wiped out.
On the other hand, Britain is maritime
country. Suppose, just for argument, that
Britain wished to destroy the States. You
were too engrossed making dollars to see the
drift" Britain massed all the machinery
required and on the day" launched it at
coast towns and defences-swarms of sub
marines sinking your merchantmen-fying
machines doing their deadly work inland.
How far would you have got in making a
navy to compete with Britain in twelve
months ENGLISHMAN
Congleton, Cheshire, England, July q, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18

Tiger, who was apparently quite unaware
of what had happened to his ship
II is gratifying to have at last true
account of the German victory; only, see
ing il has taken half year to establish
the truth, it is a pity that Captain Won
Kuhlwetter does not explain the whole
matter in more detail. 1t would be inter
esting to learn, for instance, why, having
whipped the enemy so thoroughly, the
German squadron continued to run away.
1t would be interesting TO learn why, II 1t
did not run away, the slowest of the ships
was destroyed. And, finally, it would be
most instructive to be told what further
efforts have been made, since that brill
liant expedition, to clear the Dogger
Bank of fishermen by means of battle
cruisers, and if in the meantime the Ger
mans have stuck to their harbors why
they suddenly became so cautious. Incl
dentally, Captain Won Kuhlwetter might
have treasured his readers by telling
them something Of the court-martial that
followed the Dogger Bank affair, for it
is obvious that one who would run away
from an enemy so completely crippled
could hardly have escaped trial for cow
ardice
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
State Supervised Fruit Auctions.

In an effort to lower food prices and
provide a market for much surplus farm
produce Commissioner Dillon of the State
Department of Foods and Markets has
arranged for fruit auctions next month.
lie plans to extend this service to include
vegetables also by next year. Apples,
pears and peaches will be sent to the auc-
tioneer on consignment to be sold on 5 per
cent commission There will be no other
charge for the farmer, save for cata-
loguing and handling samples of the fruit
an expense estimated at about two cents
a barrel.
To whatever extent this briggs into the
markets here fruits-and later vegetables
which would not otherwise find their
way here it will be beneficial. This city,
paying high prices for produce, is con-
stantly hearing tales of the farmers who
can't get enough for their stuff to make
it pay to send it to market. Here, in one
line at least there will be offered to them
a plan which seems to 1promise a fair
return. Whether it will be of equal benefit
to the consumers remains to be seen. The
customers at this auction will be, mostly,
the dealers, the middlemen, and there will
be no particular compulsion on them to
sell fruit cheaper than the prevailing
prices, even if they can buy some of it
more cheaply than usual. The consumer
who could buy barrel of apples, or even
Of vegetables, and store it in an apart
ment in this city is rare indeed. Never
theless, the plan is well worth trying.
Anything which will bring additional sup
plies of fresh fruit and vegetables here
regularly is bound to be of some help to
the public.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
True Neutrality.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Will you or any of your readers
learned in international law kindly explain
TO layman the meaning of neutrality? II
seems that it may have one of the two fol-
lowing meanings: Either, helping both par
ties to a conflict without any discrimination
whatever, and supplying them with the means
OF exterminating each other; or, keeping en-
tirely aloof and aiding neither in n. way
IL is evident the pro-British advocates and
the great majority of our press take the first
view of neutrality. They say that we arc
perfectly neutral and that all the bellgerents
are welcome to buy ammunition from US
knowing very we'll that Germany and Austria.
Hungary are unable to do so. They tell us
II is not our fault that the sea power of the
Teutonic allies is inferior TO that of the
Entente and Italy
This would be sufficient explanation il
neutrality meant assisting both sides in an
international war. But it seems to me that
this is not true neutrality To my mind
neutrality implies absolute non-interference
and keeping back from helping any of the
nations now at war. The only time a true
neutral should have anything to do with the
war Is when he is called upon to assist in
bringing about a peaceful settlement OF il,
or any sort of amicable agreement.
You will probably point TO the Hague
Conventions ruling permitting the citizens OF
neutral 90 nation to sell arms to either
or both of the bellgerents. But the sort
Of neutrality prescribed by The Hague is not
true, but legslized, neutrality. One OF the
reasons why the Hague conference has failed
In its mission an international tribunal
IS the fact that its rulings were based not
upon fundamental justice and humanity but
upon legalized precedents and conventional
agreements. NATHAN OXEN
New York. Aug. IL. 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Peers and Commerce.

prom The Dundee AdrerffscrD
The Peers are looking ahead to what may
happen after the war They seem TO realize,
some of them at least, that things will no.
be the same for them after this gigantic
struggle is over, and that if they are to main
tain their position they will have to find
some other occupation than rent collecting
and game preserving. The Earl of Ports
mouth this evening maintained that the lad
ministrative, financial and scientific aspects
Of commerce must engage more Of the aris-
tccracys attention" But in a great many
cases this will only be a return TO their orig
inal avocations. One could name scores of
peers reckOned among the oldest of our no.
bility who trace their descent and owe their
prosperity &c wealthy City merchants. They
bear titles that carry one back to Norman
times, but it is more true now than when
pisraeli said il sixty years ago that Nor
man baron is as rare in this country as
wolf Even the lordly line of Percy has to
go back from its present day origin to a sue
cCssful merchants shop in Cheapside. No
doubt il will be somewhat of wrench for
some Of our nobility to take to Economic
production" but the terrible alternative held
up by Lord Portsmouth should make them
consider. "A noble family forced by circum.
stances to live in a small house in London
suburb, with a dwndling income of thou
sand or so a year or less would rapidly lose
all influence for good which the dignity Of
fine tradition and noble environment had
made possible" Lord Portsmouth, who pos
sesses four residences, including Guisachsn
and its deer forest, will not be among the
first to take a house in footing.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Afterthoughts on a Naval Victory.

Prolonged and careful meditation upon
what took place off the Dogger Bank on
January "a has convinced Captain Won
Kuhlwetter, after six months reasoning,
that the event was entirely misunderstood
at the time and that Sir David Beatty's
squadron. far from being victorious, as
was commonly supposed, suffered in truth
humiliating defeat. The captains in
structive, if belated, Interpretation of the
encounter is published in "Vorwarts" for
the consolation and reinsurance of all
good Germans VINO may be disposed to
doubt the infallibility of their navy.
In the first place, he undertakes to ex-
plain exactly what the German force was
doing in those waters. The British con-
lecture, it may be recalled, was that the
Germans intended to insult the English
coast after the manner so successfully
Iexemplified on two former occasions. The
gallant captain tells us, however, that in
reality orders had been given to clear the
favored fishing grounds of the North Sea of
all hostile fishing vessels, because there was
reason to believe that the said vessels
were concerned principally in the business
of spying SO to brighten the fishermen
away the Germans sent out flotilla of
torpedo boats and some small cruisers,
supported as he observes, by no less than
three battle cruisers, besides the Inflated
Butcher. Early in the morning a small
British cruiser some torpedo boats and
much thick smoke were seen in the north
west, whereupon the Germans immediate
ly began to retire to the southeast.
So far the British report and the re-
vised German version agree very well, but
it is in the account of the celebrated
stern chase that the important differences
appear. On one fact the two stories coin
eide: the Bucher was sunk. Captain Won
Kuhlwetter does not attempt TO cOntrovert
this undeniable fact. But against it he
puts down the following losses on the
British side: The battle cruiser Tiger was
sunk, two other battle cruisers were
heavily damaged, three destroyers were
sent to the bottop with the Tiger, and two
small cruisers were more or less injured.
On the other hand, Sir David Beatty
denied that any British vessels were lost
and reported that "the casualties were
very slight" the Lion which led the line,
having only eleven men wounded and none
killed. And, oddly enough, one Of the first
letters describing the fight unoflicially
came from a signalman on board the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Wasteful County Government.

Only less salty and bitter than the
tears Of the professional politicians who
now profit would be the tears of many of
the patriotic citizens Of Kings, Queens,
Richmond, The Bronx-and mayhap even
New York-counties if the scheme of
City Chamberlain Bruere and Commits
s.oner Of Accounts Wallstein reorganzng
adopted. Local politicians want the
county jobs. Local pride demands the
maintenance of the present absurd dupli-
cations Of effort. Loyal citizens of each
locality look on county government as a
sort Of home rule--not for the munich
patty, but for a section of it. Meantime
the taxpayers, growing at the increase of
the budget and the mounting of their an
nual tax bills, are paying for it. The
erection of Bronx County added 100000
TO the annual expenditure of the city.
Messrs. Bruere and Wallstein estimate
that a consolidation of county depart
nents such as they propose would save
the city annually over 100000 in sal
aries alone.
Manifestly such saving, TO which I'M
questionably could be added further saw
ing in administrative expenses and gain
in efficiency through concentration of eff
fort is not to be put aside lightly. This
.lty is in such financial condition that saw
u z of money is necessary wherever it can
be accomplished without harming the pub
dc work. What this report terms "the
antique and wasteful system of county
government" offers the best place for car
rying out such Swings. Though county
government is provided for out Of tire
citys tax levy, the Mayor has no veto
power over county bills. In consequence,
tire Legislature, urged by one set and en-
other of local interests, passes county bill
after county bill, increasing salaries, Great
ing new Offices. heaping up expense for
this city which the taxpayers must meet
because the city cannot avoid the mandate
OF the laWmaker5.
All these things the legislative commit
tee which is 10 investigate the finances of
the metropolis will discover-if it looks
very hard. The remedy lies directly
within the power of the Constitutional
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
a Return to Sanity in Diplomacy.

1t is to be assumed that the reappoint-
ment of Mr.. William Worthington Russell
as Minister to Santo Domingo in place OF
James NJ. Sullivan, for whom he was dis
placed, means an abandonment of the
Bryan theory of rewarding deserving
Democrats" with diplomatic posts. Mr..
Russell was a trained, skilled diplomat, of
splendid experience and excellent record.
lie should have been retained in the SER
vice, and advanced, instead of being turned
out to make job for a nOndeScript poll
tician-lawyer with no diplomatic training
and no especial qualifications for such
work.
The handling of the diplomatic corps
has been one of the lamentably weak spots
in the Wilson administration. 1t was due
largely, though not entirely, to Mr.. Bryan.
Now that he is gone, the country may
hope that there will be no more episodes
of the Pindell and Sullivan brand
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Leo Franks Fate.

The threat to lynch Leo Frank was
made weeks ago. Less than a month ago
n fellow convict made an effort, very
nearly successful, 10 wreak on him the
vengeance which the authorities must have
known doeged the mans footsteps like HIS
shadow. But instead of taking every pre-
caution to preserve his life and with II
the honor Of the State of Georgia II
seems apparent, from the reports at hand
that the responsible officials through their
palpably inadequate protection Of him.
amounting to passive collision IN the
crime. invited the CHASTITY insult which his
murder constitutes to the sovereignty OF
their state.
The people of Georgia charged Frank
with hideous crime, gave him trial and
condemned him to death. But the people
of Georgia support a constitution which
permjts their Governor to commute the
sentence of q condemned man. Governot
Slaton exercised his constitutional pre-
rogative in sparing Franks life. 1t then
became the sacred duty Of every public
servant in the state, of every one of her
citizens. whatever his convictions concern.
ing this particular exercise of executive
clemency, to abide by the decision. But
with extraordinary ease and dispatch
group of them have utterly fouted 1t.
How deeply the poison of this mob
spirit extends into the body polite may
be gagged by the sincerity Of the efforts
that are put forth in running down and
capturing the lynchers and in Kidding the
state prison system of men and measures
which make a mockery of protection. Let
the inhabitants Of Georgia understand
that the assassination of Leo Frank is a
powerful blow at that fabric of laws which
guarantees to the humblest of them the
sanctuary Of the state. The red hand Of
anarchy is dangling Franks moose under
every Georgian's nose.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
What Woman Suffrage Means.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: One reads so much of the practical
aims of the woman suffrage movement pur-
poses which, while useful if the main end
be kept in mind, do, If regarded as an end
in themselves, merely obscure the underly
ing ssue--the vision, if one is permitted SO
20 express it.
To the really vital woman the object in
the woman suffrage movement is to secure
for herself clear appreciation of what the
times and country are Offering to her
brother, the man, TO understand more fully
the dangers that beset him, the influences
that warp and harden his fine qualities, 10
study conditions in life and business in
order to be of actual service in tightening
the burdens that he in this struggle, al hon
orabe citizen, husband and father, finds TO-
day possible to bear only at great sacri-
fce-the loss of emotional growth
IL seems 10 me. looking back over some
years of life's experience, that II is upon
this kind Of cooperation, not upon the
struggle of woman for woman. that the ulti-
mate use of the woman's suffrage movement
rests VISIONARY.
New York, Aug 10, 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
An End of Barnes.

The Barnes "anti-privilege" amendment
to the constitution was the reactionary
leaders most formidable attempt to stay
the wave of progress in this state. Com
pared with it his opposition to purely
political reforms, such as the direct prl-
mary, the short ballot, the official ballot
itself, was insignificant. His complete and
signal defeat, therefore, in convention IN
which he was not without followers and
power, when he attempted to put up this
constitutional bar to future social welfare
| legislation. is even more important than
recent popular verdicts on his course.
1t is not too much to say that this is this
end of Barnes. He remains for a time
member of the Republican National Com
nittee 1t is to be expected that he will
continue-for a time, at least-as dictator
of the Republican machine in Albany
County. But in both capacities he will be
ineffective as representative of all the
moss-backed, worn -out political ideas which
he believes in. The verdict of the SYRIA
cuse jury will precede and the vote of the
Constitutional Convention will follow him.
From the time he began his war on Gov
ernor Hughes Barnes has been the evil
genius of the Republican party in New
York State, and to hardly less extent, in
the nation. Seeing great political changes
without understanding them, unable to
realize that as political-social conditions
had altered mems minds had also altered
to meet the new situation, he has endeav-
ored vaiantly to maintain kind of elder
statesmen rule, with himself as moulder
of the opinions of the elder statesmen.
So simple, so democratic a change as
the direct primary. he assailed bitterly as
destructive of representative government.
Measures such as the workmen's cOmpen-
sation law and the widows pension law
seemed to him "socialistic"-an insidiOus
breaking down of American equality and
a vicious granting Of special privileges to
favored few. He has been equally indif-
ferent to the fact that following Euro
pean experimentation, social and political
reforms Of the nature he opposed so Bit
terly were being put into successful oper-
alton all over this country, and the fur
Their fact that his course was costing the
Republican party the votes of thousands
on thousands of young men.
Having shown its comprehension of the
present day sentiment regarding political
and social justice, the Constitutional Con-
vention must go on. Having killed the
Barnes proposal, it must write into the
new constitution a far broader social well
fare clause than the workmen's compen-
sation amendment adopted in 1913. The
faint Of Barnes and Bourbonsm seems
pretty we'll disposed of. 1t remains to
make the new document a genuinely pro-
gressive, modern constitution which shall
be Of service to the state.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-18
Congratulations
tor of The Tribune.

r the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your article of August 6, "Liege-
l9l4-l9l5," has been copied into World
Wide? Montreal weekly. and have a
strong desire to congratulate you on your
wonderful theme. In these dark days of wal
il tells us. here in Canada that, as you say
right Is right"
It is so comforting to know that the brill
liant newspaper men of the United States are
on our side-you in particular and | can
only add this little measure OF appreciation
for such a grand and glorious resume "a that
Of August 6 For clearness of expression
directress and use Of simple English. bow
and offer tribute to your gifted brain ana
pen. JAMES W. BARN.
Toronto Ont, Canada. Aug. 70. 1915