davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Working on Merit.

The first annual report Of Governor
Whitman's Civil Service Commission
shows work which must have been any
thing but satisfactory to the professional
politicians and their job-hunter constitu-
ents. That means that it should be thor
oughly satisfactory to the bulk Of the
population of the state-to those who re-
gard the state service as one where each
individual should do his work and be able
to earn his salary just as if he were hired
by a private business concern.
In 1915 the commission actually reduced
the number of exempt places on the state
payroll by l87-that is, it took away from
the politicians 1877 chances of landing
henchmen in jobs. Moreover, it granted
few appeals for reratings-a favorte de
vice for showing some politicians favorite
into a place on the payroll where merit as
shown by the percentage obtained in eX-
animation markings would not carry him.
And it greatly reduced the number of
provisional appointments" yet another
Of the politicians methods of getting a
hand into the treasury. 1t permitted the
appointment of just two persons "for pc
culiar and exceptional qualifications
without examination. That again is q
blow to political precedent
For all this the commission acknowl-
edges the cordial support and cooperation
of Governor Whitman. 1t is distinctly to
the credit Of the Governor and the men he
selected to work with him that the spirit
of the merit system has been so thoroughly
carried out. 1t would be an excellent thing
if the recommendations of the Senate Com
mittee on Civil Service, urging reorgani-
zation Of department staffs, standardiza
ton of work and salaries, the maintaining
of efficiency records and the like, were &c
be put into effect by this administration
Taking up such a reorganization would
complete the process of putting the states
department service on a high plane Of hon
esty and usefulness, of which the work OF
the Civil Service Commission, however ad
rnirable, is only one part.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Telephone Troubles.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Like the poor, the telephone sufferer
we have always with US, but it seems to me
that your paper for one, should find out why
the suffering should continue. If the Public
Service Commission is not defunct Of inertia
let it consider the question. After long
series Of mishaps vita my two telephones /
have decided that it is useless to complain to
the local managers to the powers on Dey
Street The latter see to it that the public IS
properly impressed with the latest stunts,
such as connecting US with San Francisco,
but the service in New York City continues
to remain as bad as the much maligned gov
ornment owned system Of England.
1t is useless 10 recount my particular woes.
Wherever TWO or three Of US subscribers arc
gathered together We always find that we
share them in common. Ny theory, however,
based on some study and experience Of the
problem of bad service, after countless inter-
views with Investigators from the company
dining into my ears the efficiency OF the
system and the impossbility, owing TO scen-
tifc invention. Of mistakes or bad service,
has some merit that should commend il TO
the Public Service Commission. / think that
the human factor. as in all so-called scientific
management, has been entirely ignored by
the telephone company With all their com
forts" for the girls. believe that bad service
is due to low wages and the lack Of any IN
centive or inducements of career with deh-
mite rewards offered the girls.
| am no sociologist-not even a sentimen-
talist. | merely know that on Sunday the
service is at its worst the day that the girl
probably feels she is isolated from society
without sufficient compensation. At any rate,
the serl ice is most dlffident then, though as
any of your readers will testify, il IS ap-
parently so throughout the week. II some
socologist reader can come TO my rescue
with knowledge Of fatigue curves. etc, shall
be grateful, for it seems to me that the prob
lem Of bad service is due to the lack of a
human factor in the most scientific organiza-
ton in American urban life. which is response
BILE for the loss of a phenomenal amount Of
time energy and money to the subscriber.
New York, March 49, 1916. READER.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
An Appeal to Americans.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Arc we nation of towards? It
is we'll to ask ourselves this question, and
ask il with the determination 10 prove il
otherwise TO an expcctant and eager world.
II has been charged that VIC arc so in
tcntly interested in seeking the dollars that
our finer sensibjlities have become dulled to
such a degree that nothing short Of an in
vasion will arouse us from our apathy
II is true that we Americans are long suf-
fcrinG and will patiently endure insult and
injury. but and But with a large BIT is
time We called halt. II We arc not a nation
Of woaklings we should protest against the
unjust crimes that arc being committed
against US by the brazen Germans
We cannot remain neutral much longer
and retain what little sclf-respect is left
us Notwithstanding VIC are a large nation.
our neutrality Is no longer respected II is
our duty 10 take sides Neutral. hate
tho word Neutrality means cowardicc AMI
always will Christ said: AS thou art
neither hot nor cold will spew thee out
Of my mouth" He wanted sides taken. for
lie said "IIe that is not for Ne is against
Me"
Have VIC to wait until more ships are
sunk and more lives sacrificed before we
can move, or is it because we cannot move
until all the munition contracts arc filled ?
We, As Americans, want action, and we
want il now. that we be not ashamed TO say
we are Americans. AN AMERICAN.
New York. March %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
PACIFIST PLANS
Suggestion for American Partition
to Produce Peace.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir Few people seem to realize what I'M
portant progress the pacifists of this country
have been making recently toward placing
the United States in an important position
As the main factor for securing permanent
peace for a war weary world. The active
leaders have been too busy TO talk much
about their plans and the confidential agent
whom they sent to Europe in the footsteps
of Colonel House and the Henry Ford expe-
diton has only just returned. 1t is pos
sble to state. however that his report is
most satisfactory and that the scheme he
outlined to the governments of France and
England was cordially approved.
These two nations are now prepared -
announce that the wars which they waged
| in the middle and latter part of the eigh-
teenth century were the result of mistaken
policy and France is even ready to apologize
for the aid rendered the forces of General
Washington during the Revolutionary War.
To atone for these errors Of judgment it has
been decided to restore to France all the
territory which Napoleon sold to the Unite /
States for a song and give back to England
the thirteen colonies and the states lying
between the Alleghanes and the Mississippi
River. France is TO waive all claim to her
former provinces in Canada and in return is
to be allowed 10 annex Mexico and all the
region which was coded to the United States
after the war with Mexico in 1916. In a
general way the present continental portions
of the states would be divided by the Mis-
sissippi River, all to the cast being English
and all to the west being French Alaska,
however, is TO become portion of the
Canadian Dominion.
The pacifsts have given full assurance
that there will be no serious objection in
this country to the above programme. as the
majority in both houses Of Congress are
pledged not to take any practical steps tow
a ID preparing for any armed opposition and
President Wilson has distinctly stated that
he is too proud to fight. 1t has been ar
ranged that the Canadian veterans returning
from the front, somewhere in France, shall,
quietly take possession of Chicago, Detroit,
Cleveland. Buffalo Albany and Boston, while
an adequate French army is landed in Mex
leo and at New Orleans
The complete control Of North America
and the abolition Of its army and navy
would tend TO alsy the injured feelings of
the Germans at being deprived also of their
armed forces. while the japanese have beer
conciliated by having granted TO them full
rights TO settle in California in any num-
bers; only they have waived the right to
demand the suffrage for Japanese women
who may be admitted TO citizenship in that
state The pacifsts are confident that tho
peace Of the world will now be assured for
the next thousand years. and the details Of
their plans will be made public the day
after tho denomination Of Mr. Wilson so as
to give him the opportunity TO announce his
hearty cooperation in his letter of accept
ance. X. X.
Floral Bluff, Fla, March 81. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Booming the Dogfish.

OFronr The Portland Ea,f,rn Arga,J
The New England people arc brought face
to face with the eating Of dogiish, as it seems
20 be the purpose Of the National Fisheries
Bureau TO make the consumption Of dogiish
as sea food compulsory. T. Is a harsh ne
ccssity. but from bureaucratic dictums there
/, no apparent way to escape. The dogfish
has been tried and condemned as a pest Of
the sea and sentenced to be killed and eaten
by the Yankees. The latter may say they
don't like the darned things, and they amt ft
TO cat anyway. but they have got TO swallow
their dogiish whether or no.
II is doubtful if even an appeal to the Su-
preme Court can save them; there is nothing
in the Constitution against eating dogiish.
Evidently all that remains TO be done is for the
fishermen TO bring in cargoes Of doghsh and
put them on the market People refusing TO
buy may then be arrested by the police and
sentenced to thirty days at hard dogfsh eat
ing in jail
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Controlling Terrible Scourge.

The State Commission of Health takes
occasion in the current number of
Health News" the monthly bulletin Of
the department, "to warn the people Of
the state against the expenditure Of
money-often ill-afforded-th raising Of
false hopes and above all, the waste of
precious time through the use of alleged
cancer cures and consultation with their
INSCRIPTIONS puryeyors."
For sound and sober advice all who are
DESTROYS of knowledge may be recommend
ed with perfect confidence TO read the bull
letin. They must beware not only of the
obvious quacks-the barefaced impostors
who advertise their so-called cures in dis
reputable newspapers-but Likewise of
all who profess to have new systems Of
curing cancer by dieting, by electrical
treatment, by pancreatic extracts, or by
any other of the doubtful methods occa-
sionally exploited by enthusiasts.
Early and complete removal Of the
malignant growth is the one safe method
OF treatment we know to-day, and to this
end early diagnosis is obviously necessary.
Cancer IS by no means necessarily fatal.
There is not the slightest doubt that the
death rate from cancer might be enor-
mously reduced if only every case we're
recognized and dealt with speedily. Many
fatal cases are unquestionably attributable
to ignorance, neglect, or fear; but prin-
Icipally 10 ignorance. All men and women
should be informed Of the danger signals,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
For New York Benefit.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: / do not quite understand why you
complain so bitterly Of the fact that New
York City pays large proportion of the
direct tax, as well as of other state taxes.
As | read it there would be no direct tax
and other taxes would be much less were it
not for the vast sums expended on the barge
canal.
This is no benefit and we think 1t a decided
injury TO the farmers and country towns,
but il was voted on US by New York City
votes; otherwise it would not have been
done. And this expense is by no means
ended. but is continuing burden for the
benefit Of Western states and the City OF
New York.
Also the state roads are by no means
satisfactory to the country people. For those
who own automobiles who are many Of them
city men, they are great convenience but
they have not yet been made right for those
who use wagons, and except for a short time
i'm spring while the frost is coming out all
teams wriggle along the sides Of the state
road for the reason that the latter is hard
for the horses and noisy and dlsagreeab!e TO
ride over.
These arc the great expenses, and it Ger
tainly seems just that New York, which owns
q large share Of the motors, should share
largely in the taxes.
II is earnestly to be hoped that in some
way the state roads may be made easy FOR
both motors and horses and more permanent
and requiring less costly repairs.
II. II. SWIFT.
Mlbrook, ~ Y, March 81, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: At a time when there is so much dis
cussion Of the necessity OF sufficient military
preparedness it is well 20 refer 20 our own
history and study the lessons Of previous wars
and the opinions Of experts rather than the
statements Of some of our "sun-up-to-sunset'
politicians
Some fifteen years ago Colonel G. F. R.
Henderson wrote his biography OF Stonewall
Jackson. The work has been a standard in
the British military training schools since
its publication. Colonel Henderson was a
careful student of the military history of the
Civil War and professor Of military history
at Sandhurst
His account of the war with Mexico and
Jackson's participation in it is followed with
statement Of the lessons to be gathered
from the campaigns of that war, and the fol-
lowing paragraph may we'll be studied by
every one who is expressing an opinion on
the question of proper preparation for mill
tary defence:
$50 small was the military establish
ment of the states that in case of any
future war the army. as in Mexico. would
be largely composed of volunteers, and,
despite the high intelligence and warlike
enthusiasm of the citizen battalions, it
was evident that they were far less relia-
bic than the regulars. Even General
Grant, partial as he was n the volun-
teers. admitted the superiority conferred
by drill, discipline and highly trained Of
fcer,. a better army he wrote, man
for man, probably never faced an enemy
than the one commanded by General Tay
Tor IN the earlier engagements OF the
Mexican war These troops were all reg
ulars, and they were those who carried
Scott in triumph from the shores of the
Gulf TO the palace of Santa Ana. The
volunteers had proved themselves exceed
ingly liable TO panic. Their superior in
tellgence had not enabled them to mas
ter the instincts of human nature, and,
although they had behaved well in camp
and on the march in battle, their dsci
pline had fallen to pieces. II could hard
ly be otherwise. Men without ingrained
habits of obedience who have not been
trained to subordinate their will to an
others. cannot be expected TO render
implicit obedience in moments of danger
and excitement; nor can they be expect
ed under such circumstances to follow
officers in whom they can have but little
confidence. The ideal of battle is a COM
bned effort directed by trained leader
Unless troops are thoroughly well disci-
plined. such effort is impossible the
leaders are ignored and the spasmodlc
action of the ind vidual is substituted for
the concentrated pressure of the mass.
The cavalry which dissolyes into mob
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Along Lines of Preparedness.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Relative to the purloinng Of wire
from our lines of communication in Mexico,
would suggest that no cannon be left along
the route. as believe that these bandits are
just as apt to steal cannon as they are wire,
and could dispose Of same at much higher
price: also admire the safety first idea Of our
warriors, as the Mexican bandits would be
very apt TO turn rusty were they disturbed
when abstracting copper wire. horses. cannon.
aeroplanes or any other adjunct Of the army:
in fact. | wouldn't trust those McXicans with
red hot stove.
FORMER OFFICER OF THE NATIONAL
GUARD.
New York, March %, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28

and all who have the least reason to sus-
pect cancer should at once seek expert
advice.
Much has already been done to teach the
public the truth about tuberculosis. Much
may yet be done to popularize knowledge
concerning cancer. All that is essential
for the information of the average man
or woman is set forth in the current
Health News" which may be had without
charge from the Health Department at
Albany. There is no longer any excuse
for the ignorance that prevails almost uni
versally.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28

before il strikes the enemy but seldom at
tains success; and infantry out OF mana
is hardly more effective. In the Mexican
campaign volunteers, although on many
occasions they behaved with admiraoIe
courage. continually broke loose from
control under the fire of the enemy AS
individuals they fought well; as organ
lied bodies. capable Of man9uvrlng uhuel
fire and combined effort, they proved 10
be comparatively worthless
Colonel Hendersons work Is Regarded Oy
british officers as an authoritative "oFN ."
military art The introduction Is written ~
Field Marshal the late Right non ''Se0ui'
voISeIev one OF the first soldiers OF ms
- an observer of much of what Is de-
scribed in this work. Referring to the les
sors N he derived from the War OF the ne
boIlion. he mentions that the first IS 'ne
rocessitv of maintaining at all times wen
ORGANIZED standing army IN the highest s'a.e
NJ efficiency and composed OF thorough!
trained men. this army 10 be large enough LOT
our military requirements and adapted 70 'he
character and habits and traditions OF inc
people. the whole force not necessarily sei'
ING during peace times-one- haif OF H. pro
vided il is periodically drilled and eXeroiseu,
may be formed into reserve. Inc eSse"''''
thing is that cit should be as perfect
weapon as can be forged
Let me quote the following paragraphs from
his introduction
"The first OF these lessons Is orougn'.
home 20 US by the opening events OF '"'S
uureasonably protracted war. As nave
elsewhere saiG, most military students
will admit that, had the United states
been able. early in 1861, to put INTO inc
field. in addition to their volunteers ono
army corps Of regular troops, tne war
would have ended in few months. -"
enormous expenditure of life and money
az wel as a serious dislocation ana loss
of trade would have been thus avoided
Nover have the evil consequences when
follow upon the absence OF an adequate
and we'll organized army been more iorcl-
bly, eXempllhed.
"But. alas! when this lesson is preached
in country governed alternately ny
rival political parties, and when there Is
No immediate prospect OF national dan
GER il falls on deaf ears. The demands
made bv the soldiers TO put the army on
a thoroughly efficient footing are persist
entlv ignored. for the necessary means
are almost invariably required for some
other object more popular at the moment
and in a parliamentary party-sense
more useful. The most scatnlng com
ment on such system OF administration
is furnished in the story told by CoioneI
Henderson. The fearful trials TO Which
the United States were subjected expose
the folly and lf-deception of which even
we'll meaning party leaders are too often
capable. Ministers buster about hghung
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28

fought 70 sustain and which form the basis
of any Just and lasting civilization. 1t Is
our duty in this crisis to aid England by all
economic measures, to force Germany to cry
for peace, while at the same time maxim
it impossible for her to in any way at
tack us.
And as our claims against her for dam
ages fully equal the value of the seventy
German liners now interned in our ports,
why should We not take possession OF them
and send them, loaded with the accumula;ed
freight now awaiting shipment, to England
Let US be open and above board in the whole
business. and 50 help on the good work OF
forcing certain declared enemies OF human
ity and civilization to stop their nationwide
course of oppression and public murder.
J. c. PUMPELLG.
New York. March -, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
NO Entangling Alliances.
ne Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: | write IN opposition to Richard Henry
Calling. The chances are he would estab-
lish concentration camps for those Ameri.
cans who do not subscribe to pro-Ally sen.
timents such as his letter in to-day's Tribune
contains. Thus freed TO carry out the policy
OF jumping on the backs of the Teutons. he
and his friends would rush the valiant pro-
gramme to a conclusion. But the Pye-eyed
Piper who could lead away the American
citlzenry from no entangling alliances" mas
not come to earth, nor is his whistle made.
c. A. KEHRWIEDER
New York, March %, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
RFAI- SOLDIERS CANNOT BE IdPROVISED
ewo Drawn BY British Mexican and Civ" wars are I ph
Sonewan acuon"W leNo00N i0'
tSandhu

and yet refuse 10 spend money enos,.
on the army TO make il fit for use; ses
on both sides of the Atlantic the lesson,
taught By the Peninsula. the Crimea ava
the Secession War are but seldom rem.r..
bered.
"The pleasing notion that whenever "a,
comes money can obtain for the nation All
that it requires is still. it would seem, an
article of at least lip faith with the poll.
ticians of the English-speaking rae.
throughout the world. Gold will certain.
" buy a nation powder. pills and pro.
visions: but no amount Of wealth. eve,
when supported by a patriotic willing.
ness TO enlist, can buy discipline. tram.
ing and skilful leading. Without these
there can be no such thing as an effeen,
army. and success in the field agains,
serious opposition is merely the IDLE
dream, of those who know not war.
"If any nation could improyise an army
NJ short notice it would be the United
States. for its men, all round. are more
hardy. more self-reliant and quicker 70
learn than those of older communitie.
But Notwithstanding this advantage, both
in 1861 and 1898 the United States failed
TO create the thoroughly efficient armies
so suddenly required, and in both in.
stances the unnecessary Suiferings Of the
private soldier were the price paid for
The weakness and folly of the politician,
In 1861 the Governors Of the several
Northern States were ordered 10 call for
volunteers 70 enlist for ninety days, the
men electing their own officers. II was
generally believed throughout the North
that all Southern resistance would col.
lapse before the great armies that would
thus be raised. But the troops sent out
70 crush the rebellion. when they first
came under fire. were soldiers only in
outward garb. and at Bull Run, face to
face with shot and shell, they soon lspsed
into the condition OF a terrified rabble,
and ran away from another rabble almost
equally demoralized; and this not be-
cause they were towards, for they were
Of the same breed As the young regu-
lar soldiers who retreated from the same
field in such excellent order, but because
they neither understood what discplin.
was nor the necessity for u, and because
the staff and regimental officers, with few
executions, were unframed and inexpe-
rienced.'
Il is the necessity Of intoxicating in ever
man Of a military organization what Colon
Henderson calls the "ingrained habits {
obedience" and what in our drill regulation
* referred TO as "the unhesitating habit {
obedience" that has made it necessary f
he British to keep their men IN trainir
,amps fer at least six months before the
are fit for active service.
KNOWLTON DURHAM.
New York, March %, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28

able under any Administration Imoued
with true Americanism. 1t would cap the
humiliation Of a diplomacy which has lett
US without honor beyond our own borders
with not a friend in all the rest Of the
world.