davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
"Silver Threads"

The other day at Green Bay, Wis,
died Eben E. Rexford, poet. Probably
only a few people had ever heard Of him.
Had it not been for a line Of explana-
ton in the news dispatch there would
have been no particular interest outside
Of the immediate circle Of his friends in
the fact Of his passing. But it was
announced that Eben E. Rexford was
the author of "Silver Threads Among
the Cold" and this at once identified
him as virtually national character.
This song was written many years ago,
and was widely popular. It was, in
deed, one of the most familiar songs of
that time. 1t was sung in every house.
hold, at practically every concert. Then
it was displaced by some newer song
and for long time was forgotten. A
few years ago 1t returned to popular
favor and was sung again throughout
the country at public performances and
once more in homes. 1t was given a
place among the records" and was re-
produced on tens of thousands Of instru-
ments. Some of the best known singers
sang it through this medium, then once
more it passed out of favor and other
songs we're heard. Now that Rexford
has died it is likely that "Silver
Threads" may again be heard. Yet it
is not song Of the present-day type.
It is an excellent example Of the popu-
lar music Of the period in which it was
composed, the sentimental music that
found echoes in all simple hearts. There
is sophistication about later popular
music that was absent from the songs Of
the "Silver Threads" period. Ragtime has
stamped itself upon the popular favor.
The negro song has had Its day and
occasionally returns to favor. The Ha-
waiian music has had a passing vogue.
The cycle is swinging, and It may be
that with the probable revival Of "Sil-
yer Threads" there will come into favor
another group of songs Of the same kind,
songs Of tender sentiment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
Leap Year.

Now leap year wanes. Two months-and
then
Gone is the hope of bashful men
Who fondly dreamed that customs old
Would be recalled as maids grew bold.
Tn vain has youth itself bedecked
With white silk socks and trousers
checked.
And coats that buck1ed in the back.
And hats that looked like bric-a-brac.
Although they posed the summer through
The lasses have disdained to WOO.
They scorn to study Cupid's wiles;
They'd rather talk about the styles.
Not only in attire so smart,
But styles in books and modern art,
And styles in games Of chance and skill
And styles in arguments that thrill
The sentiments of those who mix
into the game of politics.
Each Of them knows she Is prize
Well worthy Of the brave and wise.
Though leap year hovers DER the land
No watchful waiter claims her hand.
He finds no favor In her Wow
The man who Is too proud to WOO.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
THEODORE W. MOVES. Editor
The Evening Star Newspaper Company


Puzzlings The campaign is puzzling
everybody. Many Of the most expert
enced political "sharps"-men who have
participated in all sorts Of contests-are
dumb. As nothing is expected of them
in the way of claims, they are saying
nothing. They are almost afraid to pass
the time Of day with old friends, al
though their watches are in fair con-
dition, and going.
Well, look at the situation. The labor
question; the race question, growing
largely out of the appointment of Mr..
Brandeis to the Supreme bench, and Mr..
Morgenthau's prominence among the
democratic managers; the religious ques-
tion, none the less interesting because
absent from all stump discussion-these
have never been so prominent before in
. presidential contest
Then there are our foreign relations
Not since the middle forties has Mexico
entered so largely into our national cal
culations. But she is with US today in
all her revolutionary glory. Many
stumpers are paying more attention to
the Mexican question than to any of
our domestic questions.
And there is the European war. That
struggle is the greatest for size, san
culinary results and future possibilities
the world has ever known. It may not
be half over. It may increase in de-
struetiveness as it continues. Fortu-
nately, we have not been drawn in. We
may not. be, at any stage. But the sub
ject has entered into our politics, and
everybody is discussing it.
While we are not at war, and hope
not to find it necessary to 60 to war,
the great tribulations of Europe have
instructed us as people. We are put
ting our military house in order. Pre-
paredness is no longer an issue. No
body Of influence is now opposing the
policy. Both parties are committed to
Il. and it will be further advanced in
the coming four years, no matter which
party is in control Of the government.
So that, first and last and all around,
we are facing new problems of the
greatest moment. Need we wonder that
the atmosphere is hazy; that the prophets
are shy; that the rank and file are ner-
vous and uncertainf
Ten days more, and then the snow
fall of the ballots What is decreed on
the It'll of November win ego" Let us
all hope that the mandate, whatever its
nature, may be clear and decisive, so
that those to whom it has been issued
may have q clear path for executing it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
Politics and Friendships.

The present campaign has had several
personal touches showing that, if politics
makes strange bedfellows, it likewise
makes some strong and lasting friend
ships.
1t was Mr.. Bryan who few days ago
made a detour into Pennsylvania and
delivered several speeches for an old
friend running for Congress. Nothing
but friendship would have induced him
to enter a state where there is no pros
pect Of statewide democratic success.
But he could not resist an appeal from
man who had always stood by him
even in gold standard, protective tariff
commonwealth. Time is more than
money to Mr.. Bryan just now; but he
took time from canvassing debatable
territory and spent it in "the enemy's
country" for friendships sake.
It was Champ Clark who took a day
off from his canvass at home, where his
party is hard pressed, and ran over into
Kentucky to make one speech for an
old friend who is running for Congress
in a close district, and quite uneasy
about the result. After making his
speech Mr.. Clark headed straight for
home again, and resumed his strenuous
task Of Showing" the home folks. %.
It was MIR. Roosevelt who on a long
jump from Kentucky to Arizona, with
no time to spare, was persuaded to stop
and "say few words" at Emporia, Kan
He had resisted pleas to stop at many
ether places, but could not resist the
plea of William Allen White, long
time friend and former bull mooser, but
now, like himself, Hughes man.
And, of course, although there was nc
politics in it, Mr.. Roosevelt could not
pass without a brief stop at the old
home Of his Rough Rider friend
| 'Bucky" O'Nenl, who was killed in Cuba
in the Spanish war. He recalled his old
friend pleasantly to his old friends old
neighbors, and then hurried along te
lambast the administration according tc
appointment. It was a sample of the
spirit which accounts for Mr.. Roosevelt't
wide popularity.
Gen. sherman's Characterization OF
war is sometimes applied to politics
Well. there are points of resemblance
Politics is warm at times and very un
comfortable, but not all the time. The
game possesses a strong lure, and those
| who play it we'll and long and success
fully develop and display some very fine
and hkab1e personal traits.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
THE RISING PRICES.

milkmen with an extra penny per
quart. e... 80 ~
From the Knoxville journal and Tribune. -
The poor have many things to worry
over. but the price of gasoline isn't one
Of them, 80 W. $50
From the Providence Journal r7s4. "a. :
Only few years ago dollar wheat
was spoken of with awe. and now two.
dollar wheat Is mentioned as an i'm
minent possibility. The ultimate con.
sumner is trying in a bewildered way
to figure out whether the wheat has
swollen or. the dollar shrunk, or both
From the Scranton Republican. 49,
While it seems true that there u no
justification for the advance In the
prices Of some commodities the people
must either pay the, Undated tatee o.
course possible. 50 =
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

From the Boston Globe.
In New York. housekeepsrs can get
ten-cent milk for cents a. quart by
going after it themselves, but human
nature is such that most Of them will
continue to pay the ten-cent price.
From the Baltimore American.
: At q recent congress OF surgeons it
largely from high living. In that case
a cure has been found at last. The high
cost Of living win furnish it.
From the Memphis Commercial-Appeal.
At 10 cents q loaf you won't cast
much bread on the. waters
From the Harrisburg Patriot.
An absence of anxiety as to the price
Of milk 10 one Of the compensations
the producers And dealers have paid
the Harrisburg public In return the
consuming public will compensate the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
Uncle Sans Bad Building Methods

SASAS 1oAA o0V Oo1AAAAS OA0tAOOe.
The governments hand-to-mouth
method Of providing quarters for its
working forces leads constantly to en-
barrassments and disadvantages Lack
ing comprehensive public building pol
icy, on the basis of not only current but
prospective needs, the administrative
Offices of the United States are never
quite adequately housed. When a new
building is appropriated for it is usually
planned to accommodate the force of
the date Of appropriation. and by the
time the building is completed the de-
partment or bureau has grown to the
point Of an overflow Of these new quar-
tiers. Meanwhile private enterprise is
relied upon by the government to house
its workers, and the city Is dotted with
structures of this kind, remodeled or
initially built for the public uses, not
we'll located, because in an enterprise
Of uncertain life, land must be bought
where prices permit and often poorly
suited to the public requirements.
Long ago project was advanced for
the construction Of three buildings on
the fve-square site at the western end
Of the Mall-Avenue triangle, fronting on
18th street. These were to house the
departments Of State, Justice and Com
meree and Labor, the ashamed having
subsequently, been divided into two de-
partments. The land has been bought,
but no move has been made toward the
construction Of tho buildings It has
been decided that the site is too small
for three structures, and only two are
to be located on It, At the present rate
Of the growth Of some Of the depart
Mcnts this plot will be none too large
for single building. If the ratio Of ap-
preparation speed is maintained.
The Department Of Commerce has
bseh housed in q privately constructed
tuillins. which when first occupied
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
The Petticoat Swindle.

The vast possibilities of the so-called
endless chain are disclosed in the flood
ing of the post Offices with letters in the
so-called petticoat swindle, which has
been declared by the postal authorities
to be Illegal and is still bringing in
sacks of mail. For a trifing sum in
initial advertising and letter sending the
scheme was started The proposition,
though obviously fraud on its face
since no firm could possibly afford to
sell q e4.50 petticoat for 10 cents
gained attention. Put dime in let
ter and drop it in the mail and you
will get garment worth forty-iv times
the amount spent So good is this chance
to better yourself that you are requested
to be generous and pass the word to
five Of your friends. Out of the first
hundred thus addressed some must have
considered the chances good enough for
the risking of dime. What is dime,
anyway Merely trife, the price Of
one good movie show, OF two cheap ones,
the cost Of a sundae, round trip car
fare. Why not risk itf The promoters
Of the scheme reckoned shrewdiy on
human nature. The willingness to take
chance with small coin could BIO
anticipated from Thousands. The un-
willingness to complain Of fraud could
be discounted. If the game got going
Mt all well there would be a large profit
on tho initial expenditure before the
troubles started. Indeed, in this case
the profits came too quickly for the &C.
curtty sf The swindlers. The Letters be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

epain's attitude in the war. aside
from SPANS ambition to be the umpire
Of peace after tho war.
Anti.Entenfa Is sustained and en-
o.-A;-. couraged by her Jour-
ns' nalists and correspond
ents. who assume toward the entente
allies . cynical hostility. The Span
ish reporter correspondents. with some
notable exceptions, are hostile to the
entente belligerents in pursuance Of
SPANS policy, and thus 10 created a
current Of popular opinion in Spain.
With all due Difference to the mantle
Of diplomacy and the military and the
Spanish correspondents, who but fol-
low government policy. I may recall
with the utmost good feeling and with
out the slightest malice the express
sion attributed to the gracious and
sympathetic king, Alfonso XIII: only
the canaille and 1 are for France"
The present war appears to Justify
the predictions of those who, in the
beginning of hostiiities. declared that
the days Of the war correspondent had
been numbered. and that henceforth he
was useless and unnecessary. The ext
gencies Of modern strategy have ad-
minfstered fatal blow to the journal
ist-reporter. The ohicial "commu-
nioue" has supplanted the brilliant
copy" The concentrated ofncial COM
munique" has cut out the long story.
and henceferth "our special CORE
spondent" in the van of battles has
been killed by the march OF events.
In the modern battle the action ex-
tends over front Of several hundred
miles. where 1t is materially impossi-
BILE for human eye to seize more than
small corner of the immense field of
carnage. Besides. the correspondent
is excluded from the theater Of opera
tions by military authority. The jour
nalist perceives only. after the fight.
the smoking ruins Of villages demol-
ished by artillery. broken bridges and
beaten-up routes.
The brilliant war columns which
marched in cloud of fiuttering flags in
wind. in uniforms bedizened with gold
lace. have died with the correspondent.
War has ceased to be an art, to become
a science. Railways, automobiles. aeros
are now given the first role. The gen.
era1-in-chief Is above all an engineer
whose principal function consists in
putting in movement the formidable
machine, which is a group of armies: to
watch the march at close quarters, and
to furnish the machine with combusti-
bles: that Is, with munitions and pro-
visions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
SECRETARY BAKERS CONTRIBUTIONS.

drunkards and in other ways cornpa.
rable to Mexican bandits, what o,infon
does he hold Of the signers 81 the Decs
laration of Independence7 Does he re-
gard them as men whose neighbors
chicken coops with loaded shoteunss
From the Detroit FREE Press. -. raeass
As we understand Secretary Baker. he
didn't say II. but II he haid 1t eounA-
body else said II arst. :
From ~ xas6SnsA cAassas..r.s.szaya.
why can't Mr.. Baker tAkS. 1 yfev Las.
sons from Col House ana john I,indf :
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

From the Pittsburgh Dispatch.
Secretary Baker has ordered army Of
fcers to keep out Of politics. probably
figuring that the head Of the depart
ment can make enough Of . mess of it.
From the Kansas City Times.
Secretary Baker ought to have known
that the Wilson administration had
wars enough on its hands without TAX
Ing Of, the American revolution.
From ths spfinsasid taiea.
II President wilson's Secretary Of
War thinks the Soidisrs 81 the Ameri-
can revolution were church robbers,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Manufacturers ana business men
|throughout tho country are coming to
understand the
Standards Bureaus value OF applied
science. and for
Scientific Work. that reason as a
basis the bureau Of standards II COM
ing into closer and closer touch with
them.
The scope Of tho bureau ID varied. ana
not only IL It proving . great help to
the manufacturing and business ele-
ments of this country. but to the house,
wife as we'll.
The bureau has not so long ago COM
pleted an Investigation of electricity
and the danger of fatal accidents from
electric currents and from lightning. 1t
has worked out the safeguards ana pre-
cautions to be taken to avoid such accf-
dents. It has recently constructed a
building containing fifty-six panels OF
practical size, composed of all kinds OF
cements and plasters. and subjected
them to weather exposure tests to oe-
termfne the best materials obtainable
for use in building construction. Tests
are now being mace also with full
sized walls to learn which construc-
ton is the most resisting to hre.
The bureau has undertaken the test
ing of full sized structural steel grid,
ers and columns for buildings and
bridges. With these tests completed
will come positive knowledge OF the
laws governing these members.
On the recommendation OF the bureau.
Congress has provided for the impor-
zation. which Affects the industries
which produce dyestuffs, inks, porce-
lains, paper and paints. There has
been no scientific means heretofore OF
specifying color in terms Of direct
measurement.
When it was found that nearly two
billion dollars in freight rates were
being collected on railroad track scales
beyond the capacity Of the instruments
Of state and county inspectors to make
tests. the bureau obtained from Con-
gress a special fund to cooperate with
the manufacturers OF such scales, with
the railroads and with the inspectors.
This was primarily in the interest OF
the shipper, who was entitled to know
from an official source that such scales
were accurate. During one year 68 per
cent of the scales tested were found to
be detective.
Work Is proceeding by officials OF the
bureau on the development Of model
standards for such things as electricity
and gas and for other forms Of public
utilities. to assist the public utility
commissions, who act for the people.
in making such service most efficient
and uniform.
A leadless glaze has been found by
experts Of the bureau to prevent the
truly terrible effects Of lead poisoning
in pottery works. heretofore exacting
a vast toll in sick and injured.
A very important work which the bu-
reau has begun to develop within a
short time is the manufacture of opti-
cal glass from American materials.
Heretofore optical glass was exclu-
sively imported from abroad. These
are only a few of the many interesting
things that are going forward by one
Of Uncle Sans most interesting bu-
reaus.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Uncle Sam. through his bureau Of ed
ucation. is going deeply into the public
facilities for educating
| Education the alien. Statistics show
ar. that in 1910 there were
VI 0AleAs. in the United States
more than thirteen millions Of foreign
| born men, women and children, and
| more than four-fifths Of those coming
into the country that year were from
southern and eastern European coun-
| tries and other countries in which the
percentage Of illiteracy is very large.
It is said by officials of the bureau OF
| education that nearly three million OF
| these foretgn-born men, women and
| children over ten years OF age were
| unable to speak the English language
and moro than one million six hundred
| thousand were unable to read and write
in any language. The four years fol-
lowing the census of 1910 added large
| ly, it Is said. to all these classes. the
| average immigration of these years
| being more than one million annually
Tho tide. Of COURSE has now receded
| since the beginning of the war in Eu-
orpe, but 1t will probably attain Its
former level and more when the war Is
| over.
Three questions have presented
themselves to these experts on educa-
problem: What is now being done for
the education Of those who come to our
| shores after having passed the age OF
compulsory school attendance? What
should be done for them? How can II
best be done?
| 1t has been found that in normal
times about 10000 children between
| the ages Of five and sixteen enter the
United States annually. 80 per cent
coming from the nom English speaking
countries Of southern and eastern Eu-
rope, particularly from southern Italy
from Poland, Hungary, Russia and
| other adjoining countries. The educa-
tors say that unless these children
| come early into contact with American
ideals through the school system they
are likely to prove unfit for American
citizenship.
| great deal Of good is being accom-
plished. the bureau thinks by the even
ing schools established in various OF
the cities throughout the country. The
officials have found in their investiga-
| ton into this subject that in $50 com
munities deposits are required of even
| ing school pupils usually. they say. as
an earnest of good faith, but some
| times in order to guarantee satisfac-
| tory department, return OF books loan
| ed or regularity of attendance. The fact
| that in nearly every case reasonable
care on the part of the pupils will Sc
cure the return OF this fee is sufficient
warrant for these assertions.
Evening school supervision, the bu-
reau has found out. is far from being
upon a satisfactory basis. 1t should be
as much a speciality as the many other
phases Of school work that are recog'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

The workingman has always been the
object of eloquent promissory solieitude
in American politics, but never so much
as in the present campaign.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

If John Alexander Dowie's plans for
arbitrary regulation and adjustment had
worked everybody would now be happy
and Zion City would be the capital of
the country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
Superstitious Counsel,

"Charley, DEAR" said young Mrs.
Torkins, "are you going to bet ON the
election7~
"I haven't yet decided"
"Well, I think you'd better not. Every
horse you bet on loses What your
favorite candidate needs is a mascot,
not hoodoo"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Champ Clark has not yet gone con-
spicuously on record with the belief that
the democrats can count on Maine as
having been transferred since September
to the handsome certainty column.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Montreal reports that large number
Of people have left the United States
to become naturalized Canadians. Evil
IDENTIFY they have no desire to be kept
out Of war.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

In the absence of accurate informa-
ton it may be assumed that the chariot
in which President Wilson locates the
Goddess of Liberty was designed and
constructed by Mr.. Ford.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
Increasing the Penalty

"pd have been tempted to protest
against that taxicab fare"
"It was cheaper to pay. The driver
would have kept the counting machine
running all the time we were arguing"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
SHOOTING STARS.
BY pHrLANDER JOHNSON.
A Worker.

A Worker.
working men today are running their
own automobiles"
ever try to crank up onei" inquired
Mr.. Chugginsf off you have you know
that man who runs his own car is
obliged to be working man."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Anybody who fears that competition is
being eliminated from American affairs
may reassure himself by noting the COM
petition for votes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Convincing evidence Of prosperity lies
in the fact that many people are still
able to go to market and meet the
prices asked for beef and potatoes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29

Mr.. McGillicuddy Of Maine may be
pardoned if he feels certain skepticism
about the Adamson bill as vote-getting
proposition.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-29
Cautious Dependence.

tDo you depend on the wisdom Of the
plain peoplef"
~ do" replied Senator Sorghum; off
their wisdom is attained through courses
of instruction which I supervise"