davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
A CIVIL WAR PRECEDENT
Don't Be Discouraged; the Allies Are Win
ming, II Is Declared

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The editorial "What Must Be Under
stood" seems TO be in line with other recent
articles of pessimistic trend which you have
given to your readers. How do you know that
American sympathy as a whole is not with
the Allies? Do you judge from New York
City, with its largely foreign population?
Or are you basing your belief on the outcome
of the election?
The great bulk OF the people Of our coun-
try is American, and American" means some
thing more than merely being born nat
uralized in the United States. The cat had
a litter of kittens in the oven. but that didn't
make them biscuits Any result of the Euro
pean war that would be detrimental to this
country would be damaging to its citizens.
Do you really believe that Americans, as a
rule, are blind to the evils which would come
upon US should the settlement of the war
amount to anything short of a German de-
feat? 1t has been explained often enough;
do you think we don't realize it?
Lately you have ntimated that Germany
cannot be defeated. Where do you get that
idea? The Allies have accomplished great
things since the war started Their training
had been for the objects of peace, and IT has
been a stupendous task 10 create armies ard
munitions from raw materials. meanwhile
Tending back by main strength the wolf that
struggled for throat hold. Now they find
that their great need in council and field is
competent leaders and they are moving in
diligently 10 obtain them. Didn't our coun-
try go through the same experience during
the Civil War?
And, speaking OF our Civil War. wasn't
there a time when some OF the Northern
newspapers became discouraged and pleaded
with Abraham Lincoln TO put a stop to it ?
Didn't they argue that the South couldn't be
beaten? And among the newspapers which
took that stand wasn't there one with which
Horace Greeley was in some way connected
Abraham Lincoln held that nothing could be
really settled until il was settled right. and
he kept on to that end. but it didn't help
him any to nave those doubters hanging back
on his coat tails.
AMERTCAN-AMERICA
New York, Dec %, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Music and CommerciaGsm
lrror "a, PtIIqdclrhtn Ledoerl

The man who originated the scheme for an
American Bayreuth in North Carolina is now
bringing suit against certain persons who. he
alleges, have been attempting 20 convert his
artistic enterprise into a scheme for di.pos-
ing Of real estate in the vicinity of Mount
Mitchell, on whose tanks the festival was 20
be held. Art often goes hungry, seeking for
bread and getting a stone; but the true artist
prefers to endure privation rather than give
the money changers access TO the temple.
There have been many great singers and play
ers who were keenly svsrcious, and would
give battle TO the last cent for just as much
as could be squeezed out OF an unhappy i'm
presario. But most Of the first rate musical
virtuosi arc not by nature mercenary. To
call the roll Of great musicians before the
public such As Melba. Padercwski and krcis-
Ter (and the list might be indefinitely OK
tended is TO name many who are at present
turning their huge earning power almost
wholly 70 the relief OF those whom war has
impoverished. The North Carolina promoter
in the present instance would not mind il so
much, presumably, il the money TO be made
from his venture poured into the pockets Of
musicians. II takes money 70 run any scheme
OF opera. orchestra or festival. But the min
ute the dollar mark comes in sight the muse
is likely 20 take wing. believing her ideal
shattered and the poetic atmosphere polluted.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Mail Tubes Expensive

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Why don't people look little more
closely into the mail chute desirabiitles be-
fore denouncing the attitude Of the Postmss-
ter General so strongly? You have written
great deal affirming their usefulness and
criticising an act that would further impede
our streets with traffic. Now listen to the
disadvantages.
They arc expensive. The company which
puts these mail chutes into operation charges
an enormous sum annually for the service
and patents Is the sum warranted. consid-
ering the main factors?
The chute carriers hold two hXdrod snd
fifty small letters, probably, and each car
rier must have at least half-minute head
way. One mail bag holds five thousand OF
such letters. II two or three mail bags were
added to the wagons which leave the main
downtown Postoffice, for instance, every hall
hour, they would fully take up the work OF
the mail chutes, the saving in expense would
be enormous. and the loss Of time would be
almost negligible. The man who expects 10
catch the Twentieth Century Limited at 2;i5
will simply have 20 mail his letters before
noon or send telegram. II is a bit stir to
expect the United States TO operate so oN'
pensivey for such a small percentage OF the
population. I. o. NEAR
New York, Dec. 2s, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Too Small Mullins
r Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir Anent your note about corn bread
in The Tribune OF this date, an addition can
be made. The Johnny cake Of New Eng
land is good, sound corn bread, and ss mace
by some farmers wives ranks along WIZ
the Southern egg bread"
The corn muffin is in evidence IN almo"
every restaurant of thus city, especially
where the rank and file 50 for quick and
low-priced lunches. Their are larger corn
mullins. two for cents, and smaller ones
three for cents, and some OF these are al
most too small 10 be worth cents.
The effort 70 raise prices By some down
town restaurauteurs should and probably
will lead to changes By their customers. Inc
portions were small enough before the RAISE
in prices, so when one finds a charge OF
cents for two only of the small corn munin'
IL is time for him TO move on TO some otnet
more hospitable purveyor of food.
II the eating public would only study foods
and themselves little and act on common
sense ideas the question o. foods would pe'
como simpler. r r. r.
New York, Dec. p, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
" Finished "

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Your editorial in your Sunday issue
OF the oath, under the caption OF FINISHED"
was one Of the most profound pieces OF logi-
cal reasoning it has been my good fortune
to read in this dying year.
The dispassionste cslmness of your reason
ing makes brilliantly luminous the falterng
methods OF the blind leading the blind at
Washington. You expose the subtle art Of
Casarism in spreading the fovler's snare
into which our President has so maladroitly
stepped and has so manifcstly entrspped the
whole nation.
You will not have 20 wait four months TO
see the full realization of what you forecast
in your editorial. II is the most amazing af-
front OF the councils. tribunals and chosen
advisors OF the sovereign government OF
America. that the President, ignoring them
all, in a most critical crisis Of international
affairs, should precipitste so tragic blund.r.
II IS Finished" The sword of America
alone can now rectify the regrettable mis-
take. DELMER r. CROFT
New Haven. Conn, Dec. p, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Newspapers as Peacemakers

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Having two brothers in Germany
find that the censors pass printed matter
such as newspapers and periodicals, ire'','
while they shut out the most harmless pr
vate letters. This gives an opportunity io'
those who want 70 help permanent peace "
90 some work The newspapers are the mo-
universal and accessible educators. Is"'
rance is the cause OF war.
We say. referring 10 a quarrel "Inerc "
a misunderstanding" or They finally arr,
at an understanding II people thorousuy
understood one another. or even unders'VVS
themselves. they certainly would not 90 SUI
foolish thing as 10 fight All Amei''e,'y
who know any one in Germany or IN "a
Of the other belligerent countries should w..
newspapers to enlighten their acqu'ln 'sIieI,
there Our papers at least are not puon''.
censored, and knowledge may Prov
Sre"''' p'>'' BOLTON HALL
New York. Dec. %, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Kultur and Common Sense

think tho world docs not grasp what the
Germans mean by the Hultur OF which they
are so proud. II is not art or taste but what
we call technical education" or, il rightly
understood "common-sense." There is no
paradox in Horace's saying, "Rarus enim
ferme sensus communis." To translate II
Common sense is rare" is totally 20 miss the
philosophers meeting. "Sensus" in Latin
does not mean mental acumen or any such
thing, but "touch" or test by the five senses.
What Horace desired 70 teach is, People
rarely examine the things OF common life"
bu. are content with a superficial estimate Of
their nature. This is just where VIC have
Numbered in this war. and the Germans have
got the better Of Us. II has been the trend OF
German genius land. il remember right.
Southsy credits them with il to examine
things microscopically. to assure themselves
of their nature before using them. This is
technical education and tho true common
sense. the sbsenes Of which has cost us 80
dearly
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
The Parole System Upheld

There must be general qualification over
Justice Greenbaum's decision in a case in
yolying the constitutonalty Of the parole
or indeterminate sentence scheme as sp-
piled to local prisoners. He upholds the
constitutionaity of the law, which Judge
Deehanty Of the Court of General Sessions
had challenged. Moreover, he shows full
and sympathetic knowledge of its purpose.
1.-THE Parole Commission" he says, "is the
result of q progressive and humanitarian
movement designed to benefit the prisoner
and society and comes well within the po-
lice powers Of the state. 1t aims by hu-
name and sympathetic treatment TO Gle
vate the standards Of the criminal, giving
due heed to his mental and moral deticien-
ces, and thereby to lessen crimlnality in
the community
IL would be grevous setback if this
modern and enlightened system should be
overthrow. The definite sentence, as ap-
piled TO the offenders who are sent TO the
city's penal institutions. had become almost
Joke. Small fry criminals and-the most
frequent cases-street women seemed TO
spend their time merely in getting into
Jail and getting out again.
The indetcrminate sentence permits re-
tention Of control of prisoner until such
time as the authorities arc able to gauge
the chances Of betterment-physical, mem
tai and moral-snd to begin the campaign
Of improvement. Under il definite and
valuable work has been done, particularly
in the treatment of drug addicts, who, even
released, are certainly less likely 70 revert
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29

even when it results in the invasion OF
the rights Of other nations, who out Of
friendliness have forborne TO resort TO
threats or out Of respect have not had
recourse to brutality.
We arc at the end Of this road. Every
dispatch that comes from Washington
discloscs the conviction there IL gov
crnment circles that the break with Ger
many remains inevitable. This may be
Mr.. Wilson's last opportunity to speak as
the master and not as the victim of cir
cumstances. lie has a new, unique
opportunity to resume his independence
from German direction and to effect our
escape from Tcutonic intrigue.
Words. like notes, have become idle
things. For the present feelings Of Amer
leans there is no adequate method Of eX-
preston; yet earnestly, sincerely, The
Tribune expresses its hope that the Presi-
dent Of the United States will now, in the
presence Of a new threat and a further
menace, speak as an American, speak IN
the voice and act in the manner that were
once habitual for our statesmen and for
our leaders.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Germany's Condolences
or Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of he Tribune
Sir: IL is announced in Washington dis
patches that the German government DUR
poses to give its peace terms to Mr.. Wilson
in confidence. IL is to be hoped Mr.. Wilson
will refuse TO engage thus in secret diplo-
matte intercourse with Germany. ". are
not at war with Germany, her peace terms
can he neither accepted nor rejected by US,
and our agreeing 10 the disclosure OF them
in confidence to the President will serve no
other purpose than 20 commit us 10 = dan
gerous intimacy. which is the present Ger
man end. and which. once established, will
do untold damage TO The cause Of peace in
general and TO our own interest in partic-
ular.
When the American fy consents to enter
the German spiders secre. parlor the mil
iennium will be further of than ever.
MAURICE LEON.
New Yort, Dec. 20, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Too Busy to Work

When Congress reconvened on Deem
Der Speaker Clark promised that there
would be no lct-up in the work of the ses-
sion. He said that he could see no excuse
for taking the usual Christmas recess.
There never has been any excuse for the
Christmas recess. except in those rare
years when the long session has run into
December and been merged with the sue
ceeding short session. So Speaker Clark
promised TO use all his influence TO induce
Congress to get to work and to keep on
working without break.
An idle dream After killing time up
to December % Congress dispersed for
the holidays. IL will reassemble next week
with only about sixty working days left,
and not even a start made on the real
work Of the session. There are two tasks
Of the first Importance which this Con-
gress ought to be ashamed to dodge. The
first is the passage of legislation supple
menting the Adamson act. Those who
voted for that act last summer apologized
for il on the ground that it was stop
gap, an emergency measure. They admit
ted that it was very imperfect and par
tial compliance with President Wilson's
recommendations that it made conces-
sions to the four railroad brotherhoods, but
contained no equitable offsetting conces-
sions to the railroad companies or the
public.
The President said that the interests Of
the public would be cared for later through
the passage Of law restricting the free
dom of railroad employees to strike. Mr..
Adamson also promised 70 have fairer
balance struck at the short session. What
has been done to redeem that promise?
Absolutely nothing so far. And every
day that passes lengthens the odds against
the passage of supplementary railroad
legislation. since it increases the power Of
a minority in Congress to flibuster 10
death any anti-strike bill which may be
blacklisted by Mr.. Gompers and the broth
erhoods.
The second great task is military reor-
ganization. But unless the threat Of war
complications produces a panic in Wash
ington, is there any reasonable hope OF
the enactment Of law rebuilding our
army system from the ground up by intro
ducing the democratic principle Of uni
versal service? Some members Of the
General staff Of the army are talking
about getting through measure, adapting
to use in this country the military sys-
tenn Of the Argentine Republic. We should
like 10 believe that Congress could be
stirred out Of its lethargy far enough to
consent to a modernization of our military
machinery. But nothing that has hap
pened since December 4 gives any ground
for such extravagant optimism.
The fact is that most Congressman are
much too busy nowadays to do any really
constructive legislative work They are
much too busy planning TO raid the Treas
ury-to get through river and harbor APP
preparations, public building authorize
tons. swamp land reclamation projects,
water power and land appropriation
schemes-to pay any attention TO real
problems Of craftsmanship. Parochial bust
ness has the right of way; national bust
ness is shunted to the sidings.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29

To the Editor Of The Tribune. ,.,,o-.
Sir. In view Of the general weary ieei"s
, nd universal ndisposition OF 50 many pew,
the dav after Christmas, I venture 70 soSs'
hat ,be u>al Lincoln's Birthday holiday ..
sboIished. and. in place, that the day si'"
which could very appropriately be named
"Recuperation Day" .x
CLARENCE A. PTTMAN'
New York, Dee. 20, 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29

TO criminality than when victims Of the
drug. and in the cure Of blood diseases
The parole scheme doesn't make an ange'
Of every crook. naturally. But 1t docs
offer opportunity for discovering the mug
got Of good which remains IN most human
beings. even under the worst clrcum-
stances. and for developing It,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29

You can purchase merchandise advertised IN
THE TRIBUNE with absolute safety-tor ~
Discrimination results in any case hT
TRIBUNE guarantees TO pay your money oSSh
upon request No red tape. No clubbing we
make good promptly II the advertiser does not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29

Owned srd published dar7 OH, lrf5ure ss'c,ian... {.
.s- No-t ---ro~siion Os o. REID President @ NerneF
Hos~-s Ni-s President. Richard % waldo Secrvi'' =
Srfcr. Treasure Atdress Tribune hnNdi.s - '1A
Str,ct New loit. Tc rpfcre. Bcttmal 1000
SUBSCRIPTION RArES.-B7 Mail Postage isi o''
side ~ Greater Nv York IL.
Daily sunday no IS DAILY o-'y rnort1 ...f a.
Dairy srd sunday mr as Daily c-iT. 1aHoi0' "a
Daily ara Sgrdav year 8 80 nslN ont yea IA
sunday ory NC D. . IS sunday oriv. yesr -''
FOREIGN RATS CANADIAN hhlI.v
DAILY And SUNDAY. DAILY ANo N'N'N, =
Or. r-refh Ors month. 2. /.
ous .-. or one feA 90
SUNDAY ONLY DAILY oNL' "a,
r~-rfft rr o. month
pne $50 '0f 'eaf
DAILY ONLY. - NpA "N|'. a,
o. Month It -F Or NNA 90
d.. ...... 1850 ore ...--. 49,
Eric-,d a. ihe To.toree Nee oTa as N'Fl ''N1-
Nal MATER
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Recuperahon Day

New York. Dec. %, 1916.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-11
CUT OUT STEEL BOTTOM
AND ROBBED SAFE

Jacksonville, Feb. 11.-One OF
the smoothest cases of safe-breaking
and robbery in the history of the
local police was reported early yes
terday morning in the theft OF
s277 92 from a safe in the store of
C. D. Kenny, Ill and 113 West Bay
street The robbery was first no.
ticed by Detective P p. Lord dur
ing his rounds of the city at an early
hour of the morning.
The small sheet-iron safe had been
cut open on the bottom side with a
chisel and the contents removed
without molesting the combination.
The thieves are said to have sawed
through a window in the rear OF the
building to make an entrance. The
sheet steel on the bottom of the safe
was cut through and the parts bent
in such a manner to admit a person. s
arm. The entire contents of the safe
were then removed.
Detectives who have been working
on the case since Il was reported
have failed thus far to gain any tan
gible clue to the robbers.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-11
VIOLENT Battling ON
BELGIAN FRONT FOR PAST
ten DAYS; A|RMEN BUSY
PASS-A-GRILLE ELECTION
RETURNS SENT BY AIRSHIP

st. Petersburg, Feb. IA nov
Ell method was resorted to in munich
pal election returns from Pass-a-
Grille, the unique island town To-
Gated fifteen miles southwest of this
city, in the Gulf of Mexico, when
Maxwell Hunter, local newspaper
man, secured the services of Johnny
Green, an aviator, and flew to the
island and came back with the re-
suits. The only method of commun
ication between this city and Pass
a-Grille is wireless outfit, and this
was temporarily out of commission.
The flight was made in fourteen
minutes each way.
Pass-a- Grille has a unique form of
government, in that property hold
ers have the right of franchise. pro-
vided they reside at least two days
on the island prior to an election
The town is a resort place and has
population of about 1000 at GER
tain times of the year, but it is sell
dom that more than 100 votes are
cast, due to the fact that the voters
are scattered all over the United
States. In the election for commits
soners j j. Duffy, C.. V. Gautier
and w. J. Mcpherson wewre elected.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-11
COTTON GROWERS MISS POTASH

The cotton growers of Florida are
nm against the difficult proposition OF
supplying sufficient potash for the
needs of thecotton plants. Formerly 1t
was the practice to use large amount
of kainit as an after dressing or In
the fertilizer formula. In fact the ia
yorite fertilizer for cotton was kainit
and acid. This year it will be impos-
sibIe to get the kainit, consequently a
great many attempts have been made
to substitute other materials.
p. H. Rolls, dean of the University
of Florida College of Agriculture, calls
attention to the fact however that
no other plant food can take the place
of potash. and attempts to use table
salt or ball potash will prove disap'
pointing. Experiments have shown
that il is the potash element in kainit
that produces plants which are resist
ant TO rust. Ball potash as IL is
nopularly known, contains no potash.
Potash in this respect is a misnomer-
To make UP for this deficiency ex-
tension workers are constantly calling
attention to the need of greater care
in the preparation of soil and greater
thoroughness in the cultivation of
plants as well as the use of all farm
manure that can possibly be made
available. These three important
points will not supply the need of
potash, but will in measure help to
overcome the difficulty under which
farmers are laboring-J Jacksonville
Metropolis.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-11
SOME OF WARS RAVAGES

Detailed estimates of what East
Prussia has suffered by the war with
ire two invasions by the Russians,
have been compiled. and they surpass
even the guesses that, earlier, were
thought to be wild and sensational and
were discounted even by the East
Prussians themselves.
In the briefest form; the East Prus-
sian damage and loss is quoted from
tho the German statistics as follows;
Entirely or partly destroyed, 20
cities coo villages, 300 estates, S4'-
ooO buildings: plundered. 100000
residences: killed or seriously injured
. 600 civilians; carried off to Russia
~ 700 persons; fugitives who had to
,aave home. $4,000 to 100000; killed
or carried off by Russians. $4,000
horses 25O.OOO cattle, 100000 hogs
20 600 sheep. 10000 goats 100000
chickens. $4,000 geese.
The investigators who have COM
,;,od these statistics made it perfectly
claar that "only portion of this dam
are NAV be laid directly to the Rus
.ia,s, vandalism" and that part OF
q l. chargeable to the inevitable raw
ages of war.