davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
PLUCKING THE MIDDIES.
Mr.. Daniels Charged With Lowering
Passing Mark Ia Favorites.

To TIFF EDITOR OF THE SuN-S'r: I
have been reading the editorial article
'"rhe plucked MiddIcs." in THE L OF
February q. and being interested in
tho boys Of tho Naval Academy | beg
leave 20 bring TO your notice tho bio
ing Naval Academy order of tho date
of February Ii. 1872:
The attention of the brigade is called to
the following extract from n letter Of the
Secretary OF the Navy addressed 20 tho
superintendent:
article As OF tho Regulations OF tn.
United states Naval Academy, 1911, Is
hereby so far modified that. IN Its appii.
cation to tho trst term OF tho academic
year l9ll-l3l9. deficiencies In studies, In
stead OF being based uniformly on a $50
ns the standard OF passing. shall DO based
on the following marks ss the minimA for
passing: For the frs; class. 40: for the
second class. 20: for the third class.
ma,h. go. English go. languages $40.
for the fourth class, math. "30. English
20. languages 40.
1T wall DO noted tina this order In APP
plicable only 10 the hrs, term OF the aea-
demic year, and that the standard for pass
ing for tho second term Will remain 80
In accordance with existing regulations"
II will readily be seen that the then
Secretary OF the Navy, Mr.. Meyer. met
a condition of unusual failures not
nearly as large as the $50 OF the recent
s~emi-annual examinations in "a frank
and open n IN Josephus Daniels.
while Insisting that he would not lower
the passing mark for the ''unsat.' mid
dies. had previously done this very thing,
but had accomplished II secretly. and
hiding behind THE bugaboo of his Aca-
demic Board had proclaimed that he
would not follow the lead Of the former
Secretary. Mr.. Daniels not only lowered
the passing mark but lowered II only to
favorites and TO hospital folk. His Sc
cret sessions included those "unsat.' in
two. three and even o subjects and
excluded men "unsat." In but one study.
lie utterly refuses to make any excuse.
except in waving the uitimatun OF tho
Academic Board, Members OF this
board now Serving served IN 1912.
WILLIAM PENCE PRAISE.
EAST ORANGE. n. J.. February "a
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
GePmsny's South Atlantic Repre-
sentative.

The seizure Of thirty-six German
and Austrian merchantmen In Portu-
guese ports and the escape. reported
yesterday. Of the German steamship
Hochfeld from Madeira. where she
has lain since the beginning Of the
war, are to be considered In cOnnec-
ton with the activities Of Teutonic
raiders in the south Atlantic. whose
latest recorded exploit eliminated In
the scuttling OF the Westburn after
she had served her purpose as a
rescue ship. Spain would have been
compelled to return the Westburn to
England had she remained In a Span
ish port, and to leave It meant almost
certain capture by the enemy; SO her
prize commander destroyed her. thus
adding n nor picturesque incident
to the list Of interesting German ex.
ploits on the deep.
So far the mystery Of the attacks
on the commerce Of the Allies in
southern waters. revealed by the Ap-
pam In this country and the West.
burn Mt Santa Cruz. remains un-
solved. Whence come the raiding
ships? Where are their bases Of sup
plies? II is now alleged that some
Of the vessels seized In Portugal had
heavy guns In their holds, aud that
these expected to put to sea at the
first opportunity. The Hochfcld sue
ceeded in getting away. Here may
he the explanation Of the attacks that
have puzzled all except those who di.
rected them and those who carried
them out.
That Y Germans should have
heen able to control COO captives Mt
first seems incredible, but when It Is
recalled that the .Appam was mined.
and would have been sunk at the first
show Of resistance, the feat becomes
understandable, and the presence OF
women and children among the cap.
tivcs was in the prize crews favor.
But nothing chr detract from tho
brilliance of the exploits that have
marked the cnrecr Of the MOewc. II II
Is she. and It Is worthy Of notice that
her conduct. so far rs disclosed, has
been In strict accordance with law
and the practices Of civilization.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
RURAL FINANCE.
Advantages Derlvable From a Confer.
pnce Of Farmers.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sir: II
Is with pleasure and anticipation that
I read the brief articles from time to
time published which speak of the con-
templated farmers congress instlgated
and planned by Commissioner Hartigan.
This IL apparently another OF the nu-
Gncrous projects undertaken by Commits
sioncr Hartican for the welfare Of New
York city. but In this he goes even II
step further. as this will be not only "A
benefit TO New York city hut TO New
York State as well. I am especially In
terested in the project because 7 have
been a close student of rural finance
and the Disadvantages under which the
American farmer labors. II is to he
regretted that New York cannot he the
originator of such "A movement because
Chicago a u most successful farmers
convention In whi,h the whole state Of
Illinois. az we'll "a the rural hankers of
the whole United states. manifested
great interest.
The advantages and benefits to be de-
rived from such a conference are mani
fold. II brings about a better under
standing and 4 more arnichhle feeling
between the farmer. the producer and
the business man. the distributor ana
the consumer. The upstate population
IS brought into contact and acquires
f'1ldi kNCWlfise or 'nt necessities Oh
New York city. thereby climluatiug
largely the two great a~ntagou!stic forces
which prevent progressive legislation.
II could open the eyes Of the metro-
polltan banker 10 the ne cssity Of "A bet
ter system OF rural 'isancos and how
he could ultimately increase his own
precedence and power rs supplying.
financially, tho needs Of the farmer. !,
can aid the public in ascertaining
wherein lies the responsibility FOR the
increase in the prices Of commodities
which hurts the consumer.
II brings about the establishment ~.
better aud larger agricultural training
institutions and the establishment -
measures which aid the farmer ~ de-
velopiny his resources to the great
est degree, thereby giving 70 agri-
culture tho place to which II is
entitled among the modern indus
tries. II can teach the farmer how 10
keep his son at homo. II can organize
the farming communities IN such "a way
as 10 make them "A part Of the national
defence system. II can bring about n
much needed understanding between TIVE
railroads and farmers and the steamship
companies and the farmers. II can AID
Congress IN passing such rural credit
acts and other AGRICULTURAL legislation
as would Ice most favorable 10 the
farmer and beneficial /" tho country.
These are merely a few 81 tho many
results that can aHd would bc ic-
conplishcd hv such q congress-. After
All. is II not IN" farmer UPON whom we
are dependent for IN" greater part ~
our national success, and * not all that
is lone for the farnor lone for the wei
fare Of all business. and all
industries EoREnr koLf.
SrrApLETON, February -.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
The sound BOsts.

The application Of the New Haven
railroad for permission to retain pos
session Of its Sound steamboat lines,
hearings on which are now in prog.
ress, is one of the most important Of
The cases that have come up before
the Interstate Commerce Commission
under the Panama Canal act.
Most Of the boat lines affected have
been actually owned or controlled by
the railroads of southern New Eng
land since their inception In the first
half Of the last century. They marked
the early attempt Of these railroads
to reach New York before through
rail communication was effected. The
original character Of these steamboat
lines has been maintained In that
they have always been auxiliary to
rather than competitors Of New Eng
lands rail lines.
1t Is significant that since the pas
sage Of the act under which this ap-
plication II made there has been no
serious demand from the citizens OF
New England for the separation of
those lines from the railroad system
Of which they are a part. On the
contrary, sixty or more Of the largest
trade and commercial organizations
have petitioned the commission to
preserve the present status. on the
ground that 10 do 50 would operate
to the advantage Of the business in.
tercsts OF New England.
The rail and boat lines involved
are clearly parallel and undoubtedly
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

port Of that committee 1t will be found
that many persons well known to mem
bers Of the National Tax Association
are prominently mentioned as being OF
material assistance to the committee In
its investigation n in the preparation
Of the bill.
The subject was so vast that the COM
mittee did not feel that 1t could make
proper investigation OF the taxes which
are now being paid by the public utilities
corporations. Therefore such corpora
lions are not covered BY the proposed
act. Undoubtedly such corporations are
nov paying more than their just pro
portion Of the tax burden. being subject
to both property and franchise taxation
and in addition thereto to a tax upon
gross receipts. II Ia to be regretted that
euch companies were not included in the
proposed aot, not only for the purpose
Of relieving such corporations from IN
Just taxation. hut also for the purpose
Of bringing about, so far as may be
practicable. uniformity in taxation.
As a result OF the Investigations made
by this committee It was found that
personal property IN the state Of New
York was pretty generally escaping tax
alton or was u~njustly taxed TO IA few
persons who were unskllled In the art
Of escaping such tax. Therefore the
proposed income tax law IL in place or
any tax upon personal property. and
those taxpayers liable for the income
tax proposed will be exonerated from
paying any tax upon personal property.
More than this. corporations liable 20
the income tax will also be exempt from
paying the present unsc!entiic and un-
Just taxes on the corporate franchise.
The bill undoubtedly will IA TO be
subjected to certain amendments before
II will lie generally satisfactory. but
nevertheless IL ~ undoubtedly the first
step taken toward any real tax reform
In the State For this reason II would
seem to follow that oil proposed minor
tax legislation amending our present
tax law should be defeated. while the
proposed income tax act is pending. Such
minor legislation tends TO cloud the real
Issue. n the enactment OF such legis-
lat'on will prolong the enactment OF the
reform measure and may eventually de-
feat IL. J. +. ZoLLER.
SrCrAny Eehrunr ~ d
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

war machine Ii az formidable as ever.
1t is a point to be noted in scanning
the peace terms announced by the
British Premier:
w shall never sheathe the sword,
which we have not lightly drawn. until
Beis1um-and I will add serbia-re-
cover in full easur all and more than
they havo sacrificed until France il
adequately secured against aggression.
until the rights Of the small nations Of
Europe are based upon an ~unassailabie
foundation. and until the military domi-
nation of Prussia Is wholly and finally
destroyed"
What does this signify but com.
plete submission by Germany, beaten
in the neld or ruined and therefore un-
able to continue the war. and in either
event compelled to pay the penalty Of
overwhelming and irretrievable de-
feat? Mr.. AsQuIrH declares the pur.
pose Of the Allies to be not only the
restoration OF Belgium hut (obvi.
ously) compensation for her suffer-
ings; the reconstruction Of Serbia,
and, M n reads between the lines,
an addition to her territory; for
France security against aggression,
which ri only mean n new eastern
frontier; for the small nations con.
servation Of their rights. that Is to
say, complete and final settlement Of
the question of nationality In the
Balkans; and finally the extinction
Of Prussian militarism. that Is to
say, disarmament by Germany, or
we'll defined limitation Of armament
that will insure peace.
This Is n plan Of high resolve, Of
u%nfaltering courage. Of ndamant reso-
luton. but as the success Of 1t would
mean for Germany the abandonment
Of all her hopes Of empire, economic
disaster for her people. and her re-
duction to n second class Power. the
war will go on until the sword is
broken In her hand ana she falls ex-
hausted. Germany. however. does not
accept the view proclaimed with stout
heart by the Allies that the war can
end only In their favor. Her conf.
dence in final victory has not been
shaken. Then there Is but n rom
clusion that the duration Of the war
cannot be measured by months. that
1t may 60 on for years.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

Many persons to whom the name OF
JAMES CONWAY was unknown knew It's
owner. The shepherd of Central Park
was rich in friends. lie was good 20
the children who vent to q his flock,
and since his retirement from the re-
spons!bilities Of its care two years ago.
In his sevcnty-eighth year. his good
ness had not been forgotten. II was
possible, with entire good nature. To
envy momentarily Mr.. CoNwAY's peace
full pastoral life in the midst of Man
hattan's urban complexities, which for
him were not perpleXities.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

To II EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir:
Movies are an excuse for a multitude
of sins. but there Is a limit to every
thing and In the case Of the movies that
limit has been reached.
We can forgive Little Mary OF tho
screen for naugurat!ng the Mary Pick
ford curls n tresses b0cause they un-
doubtedly have brought happiness to
MANI a sure to have beeni' old maid.
Likewise We can forgive and try to
forget tho originaters Of tho sport shirt
II crisscruss spider web watch chain,
for they have made many y regular
swell' out Of the village square students.
But We cannot forgive the latest outrage
on public tradition.
No. Mr.. Eugene O'Brien. you cannot.
oven on the hln. wear a white vest with
a dinner coat. and how you ever man.
aged to be passed by tho critical Ma
tional Board OF Censors demands the
immediate attention OF al investigating
commission. V. r..
NEW York, February H.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
are potential compstitors. But com.

are potential competitors. But COM
petition at the cost Of service, though
It brought lower rates. might prove
costly. To these manufacturers, placed
BY their geographical position mt an
economic disadvantage, the quality Of
service. the insurance of quick transit
for their goods. Is Of prime impor.
tance. To many Of the largest inter.
ests Of this region the prospect Of a
rate war on the Sound with its in
evitable accompaniment inferiority Of
service and disturbance Of the present
schedules for boats and trains, does
not seem inviting.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
The football rules committee IL IN
annual session, and the sports pages

The football rules committee IL IN
annual session. and the sports pages
are full OF sage discussion and advice
to the legislators. The committee
could In no way do the college game
more good than by requiring the NUM-
bering Of players. But what will II
say OF the suggestion. advanced by
one ingenious critic. that II the try Mt
goal after a touchdown is retained the
posts should he made twenty-five or
thirty feet higher. and that the field
OF play should he made ten or twenty
yards wider? The pigskin law makers
are handicapped by a law, operative
before football was thought Of. limit
Ing the elasticity OF matter. Concrete
stadiums won't stretch.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
what Mr.. Asquith's Terms OF Peace
Mean.

Al Mr.. AsoUITH states the terms
Of peace which tho Allies take their
stand on. the army of the Crown
Prince storms French trenches near
Verdun in an elaborate movement to
open a passage for another German
advance on Paris. Several thousand
prisoners are taken ana the deadlock
at that part Of the line Is broken.
The German offensive seems TO have
lost mono Of Its power. TO check 1t
the French are put on their mcttle;
In spite of the execution Of their ar.
tillery they are forced to give way on
two miles Of the front The German
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

satisfactory would become intolera-
Bile; chaos would succeed to error;
internal deadlock would take the
place Of external correspondence. The
most disgruntled critic Of President
WILSON would not counsel the substi.
tuition in his place Of the assembled
Congress, for with it, assumption Of
authority the end Of progress toward
settlement Of any dispute wculd b
reached.
Realization of<his fact ~ concsivA
has had mucA Do % with The Mbss-
dence Of feeling in the Capitol. The
acute phase Of The innrrecton that on
Wednesday attained snch proportions
40 to disturb the most optimistic has
passed. The rancor and distrust that
were at its fountain head still ~
main. but there has come recognition
Of the fearful danger that even well
intentioned Interference In the deli
cate matters under consideration
would precipitatA There remained In
House and Senate throughout . nav
ing portion Of sound sense that
worked steadily and effectively for
the preservation Of the balance. This
was reinforced yesterday BY recruits
from those who had been temporarily
carried OF their feet in tho almost
panic Of the preceding day. Conser-
vatism and understanding rescued the
Congress from the error It seemed
about to commit
No sane man. after the exhibition
that was given on Wednesday, can
for a moment believe that the condi.
tons Of our foreign affairs would b
bettered BY injecting into them a
more powerful Congressional iniu.
ence than that which obtained yes.
terday. We say (which obtained
Yesterday" because the occurrences
Of the preceding t%wenty-four hours
must have had an illuminating effect
in the White House. II within its
walls there has hitherto been any
misunderstanding Of the temper Of
Congress, Of the doubts and question.
ings that have sprung up In the minds
Of Representatives. and which cor.
rectly reflect the misgivings Of all
Americans. that misunderstanding has
now been swept away.
At present We cannot assess the In.
jury that has been done to America
abroad by this remarkable. We be-
lieve unprecedented, uprising. The
duty Of oil Is to repair It as quickly
and as thoroughly as may be; and
II President WILSON has properly
apprized It's Significance he will turn
1t to good account in correcting those
tendencies Of his foreign polity which
gave the uprising the excuse for It's
beginning.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
4 Fair Enough Warning 10 TEXANS.
From the Airfn Sun
WARNING, TAKE NOTICE.

Having repaired all the fenoes around
pasture (better known as tho Rowan
pasturs) all persons are forbidden to tres
pass thereon or 10 haul anything thsrefrom
pasture lays himself liable. and the best
way to keep out of trouble will me Is to
keep out OF my pasture, No one has any
right In II without my permission, and !
will say some Of these trespassers have
treated me mean. having hauled way
everything that ! could have used to build
. bridge and camp house with therefore
they must keep out or W will have trou.
he. 4. NJ. ArTER.
Bonnie, Texas.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
THE REORGANIZATION OF
CORPORATIONS.
Judge Hough's Suggestion Of Federal
Supervision Commended.


~ TIE Ep''on " inn oN-S"
jugs I'ousn ol ,no CnI.eo o.a.es
SouIt III '"o iI.or lypese..lns
Macn,he lass sAys uI.. orsah'1a.lon
sho"io ue pa'.eu upon W eon,o 'e.-
era .r,ouna'' ineteau oi oelns tne sole
prOuuc. Vi voluntary IeoIsa'iiHa.'o"
1 u. pIesen'' ING ou.so'
n""evoI, eeen.s " t.'''A '"A' LIE '"e"
sin1piy orea4n.
.nere 10 every 'eaSo" why ~ onou'u
0 ne ureaIh' Exactly Una. th!ns
eAis.s y" Ens!sno .o-oAy. Ihoer tho
nsa'sn statutes a court lesuia.es
ra'i,oau eors"'iAa''ons Wy spp'"vliN8
OF ~oHapprovine the plan that u pre-
sehteo' u II q now piah
mas 10 70 oeViseu ana supm'tteo 10 ING
couI.. IN iact III H'ns'a"o se.
mortsase cannot DC ioreciosed az aAl'
out u essences vi u AoFoc.ooure
namely the reorsahizatioh 10 aiiowoo.
supJect % the supervision On INC COURT
over the orsahi1ati
rms pan OK REORGANIZATION u suo-
h'i'tod 10 inc court ai'el Icing -.
sehteu . by three-iourtns IN Va!uo
on inc interests "hich WIN NO preJu-
oiceo. ano IL n court approves tno
pan IL IL pihding upon al
ana creuitors' Inc recentIy puo"sheu
Laws OF England Vol. ANiii.' page
1885, snow mat nat act or Parliament
requenuy oeeh o IN CON
necuon Win Ehgiish raiiroaos. Inc
procedure IA simple enective ana sat
isractory. a similar Ehshsh statute
dUIlle0 10 EXPERIMENTATION Vi lHuuS-
triaI corporations 70 Eow' Wiz G. o'|.
american eorsahiza'!ohs, on tne other
manu. as Poih'eo GU. oy jugs iioush.
Involve ehoFIl'ous eApense' p'oio"so"
IitlSation' II wou'u ado give oouo'-
ful protection TO small investors.
When. however, Judge houen Jug
gests maj the new Federal ITaoe
commission might nave TINS power
OF passing on reorganization We are
fleeing from Ills that We have to those
that we know not Of" The Federal
Trade Commission Ia too new an or
cap,zation IN v~ranplc with compli
Gated. bclligerent denominations.
One-sixth Of the railroad mileage In
the United States is in receivers hands
and must go through reorga nizations.
II will require great experience, cour-
age and wisdom to Judge OF those re-
organizations. No one IL better quail
fed to pass on the fairness and pro-
priety OF such recommendations than
the court Itself. Tho court necessarily
becomes acquainted with the inner
/ most complications. obligations. opera
tons and earning capacity OF the
property itself, and can Judge better
than any one else as to the merits OF
"A particular REORGANIZATION scheme.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
The Aftermath,

what little things we leave behind:
Some tangled string: u half lone sum:
A glove: a business deal: = book:
A bunch OF keys, u broken heart.
With face turned toward inAnituds.
What little things we leave behind!
y. efANLH HAsxins,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

A physically perfect man has been
discovered at Harvard. Publicity and
leap year combined have caused him
80 much annoyance that he is now
cultivating a sQuint.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

! don't want 20 enter into u personal
controversy with Mr.. QulGG-Serotor
GEORGE +. THOMPSON.
The Senator from Niagara shows in
this admirable judgment.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
All Point to Wyomlng's Poet,

From ne htiiOn TribuHs
Miss Julia Berger Of this pace. who
mad tho poem In the Cheyenne Lsdd,r.
was over to Walkers creek yesterday ana
was pointed out on al sides.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
Nebraska Health Note.
From he W'akcScld Sfdr

There VIII be M meeting ~ mo Good
Healtir society luN~iUr evening because
OF tho illness Of So nv - the members
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

Women's short skirts hurt theatres
Newspaper headline.
Let the stage repair It's fortunes by
revivlng the styles Of ten years ago.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
Enjoying Therselyes In ohio.

People of th!s place n AVE- enjoyed their
selves very much In the last few months
attending birthday showers ami parties.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

The primary venture OF the Hon.
ALBERT BAIRD CrMMINs In Iowa is APP
parently a bid for a dark horse vote
in the Chicago convention.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
Ambiguous Accident In New l,nmn.hir

From me Ndnch ester Mirror.
Y, l.. Howe had a COW fan ON the IT,,
Sunday morning and was badly injured
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25

Biuebeard's wife beheid her predeces.
sors.
'Msre4y . case OF severed rsisa!onA" 10
sxplaiDsA.