davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-01-31
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP LEAGUE DECLARES
WAR ON PHONE MERGER-FISHER SCORED


people" who drove the Gray Wolves
from the city council, is no longer
friend of the people, according to
John Fitzpatrick, pres. of the Public
Ownership league, which met yester-
day in Musicians hall Fitzpatrick
says Fisher has discarded his clothes
of responsibility and is now wearing
the skin of an old Gray Wolf. Fish
er, he says, is the real brains behind
the frame-up to hand the city's prop
erty, the Automatic Telephone Co.,
over to the Bell Phone Trust
why has big business been adj
vertising so much of late in the Trust
Press?" asked Fitzpatrick. "Monop-
olies don't need to advertise, yet prac-
tically every big public utility in Chi
cago is now advertising.
Years ago these papers woke up
and drove out the aldermen who gave
these utility companies everything
they asked for. Let's watch these
news columns. When these corpo-
rations found out they no longer con-
trolled the aldermen they went high
er up. In some way they compelled
the mayor to appoint Walter Fisher
to represent the city in this phone
deal. Fisher has delivered the goods
to the phone trust. He will be well
thanked by them
"And the cruel thing about this is
the fact that the aldermen won't get
anything out of it. Fisher will get
the credit and the fees. The alder
men are going to get criticism"
Fifty thousand circulars telling the
inside story of the automatic phone
deal will be distributed throughout
the city. This is just a starter. More
circulars will be printed, a house to
house canvas will be made, and a
number of speakers will tell Chicago
ans how they may have phone service
for penny call by confiscating the
Automatic n1ant and Onnratino If for
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-01-31

ton Counsel Ettelson are trying to
hand property which really belongs
to the people over to the telephone
interests.
Twice the members of the city
council have ordered the forfeiture
of the plant, says the circular. The
last forfeiture ordinance was vetoed
by Mayor Thompson, who is sup
posed to represent the people of Chi
cago," who appointed Walter Fisher
as special atty for the city.
big business is busy" it con-
tinues. tremendous pressure is
being put on the city council in order
that the Bell Phone Trust can have
a complete monopoly on the city of
Chicago. The Automatic company
will be of great value to the city if it
is in our possession in 1918 when the
present agreement with the phone
company expires"
"Phone, write or call on your alder
men," goes on the leafet. "Act and
act at once. The corporations are
busy. If we want to protect our
property we have to act at once"
The last paragraph is to ''The AL
dermen of Chicago" 1t reads: BE
ware of Walter Fishers advice. If
this deal goes through Fisher and his
supporters will get what they want.
the aldermen will get public criti-
cism."
The league passed vote of CEN.
sure against the aldermen who "be-
trayed the rights of the city" in vot-,
ing for the sale of the Automatic
Phone Co. to the Bell Phone Trust.
The delegates did more than pass
resolution. They ordered handbills
condemning the aldermen distributed
in their wards before election. Off.
GERS of the league were instructed to
give the opponents of those aldermen
what information they had which
ToiOht ho 11cnd oOaiOct fhoD0 in
Evening star., 1916-10-08
Reviews of Books of early Fall.

book one of lively and interesting
reading as well as one Of substantial
and practical information.
HEAD WINDS. By James B. Connolly
author of The Crested Seas" etc.
illustrated. New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons. Washington: Wood
ward & Lothrop.
Eight of the Connolly short stories
make up this volume. Among them is
The Trawler," a Collier prize story.
which ELECTED enthusiastic praise from
Mr.. Roosevelt for its literary excel
lence as well as for the robust charm
Of its adventure. Faring farther from
the sea than is his custom, Mr.. Con-
In Central America. of steamboating on
the Mississippi. of the vicissitous ex-
periences OF a press correspondent. of
group of immigrants. and then back
again to the fishermen of Gloucester,
where he is unequivocally at his best.
An inlander may suppose that he does
not like sea tales, but he will like
stories OF simple men whose dauntless
courage. whose daily gamble with
disaster. compels admiration. spontan-
eous and full.
THE STORY OF THE UNITED
man. Twelve illustrations In color
by A. S. Forrest. New York: Fred
erfck A. Stokes Company.
This is the history of the United
states turned into n story for the sake
Of the story's straight appeal to young
dsaders. Selecting the leading events
Evening star., 1916-10-08

IN the development of this country,
MISS Herdman animates these with the
personalities that produced or con-
trolled one and another of the land
marks of our growth. SO, from Colum-
bus down, 1t is a story of men in ac-
tlon 1t is a procession of discoVerers
explorers, Adventures, pioneers, states
significant company dealing with the
affairs Of a nightly expanding ma
tion. This writer has the knack OF
the story teller. The men are alive.
The incidents and scenes are warm
with action. The story grows In an
atmosphere of reality and in the ex-
citement of the great adventure There
Is no doubt that the book opens
natural and inviting way to the more
condensed and abstract treatment OF
formal history. While the story IS
designed specifically for young read
ers. many a grown-up person Will nnd
II very interesting matter.
CULVER THE GREAT, And Other
Dog Stories. BY Walter A. Dyer.
author Of "Pierrot, Dog of Belgium.
etc. New York: The Century Com
pany.
Here are sixteen frst-class stories
each OF which has dog as the CHIEF
ngure of the adventure. Moreover,
ten of these dogs sent in their pictures
Tor an added JOY to the reader. From
'Gulliver the Great" to tom Sawyer
OF the Movies"-big dogs and little
ones. bench dogs and street strays-
mis- Is a company that stirs ones heart
clear to the bottom. The writer knows
this Incompatible animal and these
stories, taken together. are beautiIui
Evening star., 1916-10-08

fly. but to household only. that the appeal
proved irresistible and he gave her his prom
ise of the estate for $25, 200.
The Rambler has read the following
letter written by Thomas Blagden to
Miss Dix on November 13, 1852:
Dear Madam: Since seeing you today have
had other opinion land Mrs Blagden alsol
than that l must not stand between you and
the beloved farm. regarding you, as l do,
the instrument in the hands of God to
cure this very spot for the unfortunates whose
best earthly friend YOU are, and believing
sincerely that the Almighty's blessing will not
rest abide with those who may place
obstacles In your way.
With Mrs. Blagden's and my own most
friendly regards very respectfully your obedi-
ent servant, THOMAS BLAGDES.
Long before the civil war the house
of James ID. Barry stood on Poplar
point. bit of land projecting into the
Eastern branch. That point is now In
closed by the new park lands of the
Eastern branch. At the death of James
D. Barry the tract was divided be-
tween his widow and his son David.
The old house on the top of the ridge
above the Washington Piscataway
road, or Nichols avenue. was the home
of David Barry. At various times large
areas of this St Elizabeth tract came
under the ownership of George
Semmes, Griffith Coombs, or Griffith
Coombe, and Thomas Blagden.
In December. 1905, there was trans
mitted to the House of Representa-
Evening star., 1916-10-08

f1cuit to separate them for treatment
in one short narrative.
That part Of the ST. Elizabeth tract
on which the hospital was established
had passed out of the possession of the
Barry family and was bought by the
United States from Thomas Blagden.
In a report of joint select committee
to Investigate the charities and re-
formatory institutions in the District
of Columbia, 1897. the Rambler finds
this:
OF the amount set apart by Congress the sum
of $25. 900 was allotted for the purchase OF
site for the asylum. and after careful consid-
Grafton DR.. Charles II. Nichols, who had taken
very great interest in the project. decided
that the ideal location was portion of the
old royal grant of st. Elizabeth situated
the highlands between the Potomac and the
Anacostia. or Eastern branch. These lands
owned by Mr.. Thomas Blagden. who
valued them because the exceptional beauty of
Moreover the price available was too little by
$15, 900. DR.. Nichols was unable to move the
owner and was equally unable to obtain an
increase In the amount allotted for the lands.
Thereupon Miss Dix took up the matter. Seek
ing a personal interview with Mr.. Blagden. so
earnestly and knowingly did she reason with
him to surrender for the future good of thou
sands Of his suffering fellow creatures what
was precious. indeed, to him and his fam
Evening star., 1916-10-08

st. Elizabeth. into acre lots for sale and rent
TO Freedmen by Direction Of the Trustees for
the Bureau of Freemen Refugees and Aban-
doned Lands. Major General o. O. Howard,
Commissioner. Surveyed in 1867 by B. D.
Carpenter
Prominent in the creation Of the sub
division were Senator Pomeroy. one Of
the .Hillsdale streets being named after
him. and a man named Elvans, who
was also one Of the moving spirits in
the subdivision Of land and creation Of
Meridian village. on Meridian hill. The
Freedmen's bureau was plan by
which government aid was to be ex-
tended to the liberated slaves. Lands
were to be sold to them at a low rate
and military protection was to be given
them. This was one of the acts of
Congress passed over the veto of Pres
ident Johnson.
The old frame house which the
Rambler visited was the home of David
Barry, one of the heirs and owners of
the st. Elizabeth tract. No member of
that family now owns q foot of the
land. so far as the Rambler knows.
Many members Of the family are living
in Prince Georges county. Maryland.
and presumably some direct descend
ants and many collateral kindred of
the Barrys Of st. Elizabeth are living
in Washington. The history of the
Barry family. the old tract of ST. Eliza
beth and St. Elizabeth's Hospital for
tho Insane is SO related that 1t Is diff
Evening star., 1916-10-08

aid for financial enterprises which
have for their object the making in
dependent of Germany the countries
which are allied against her in the
present war Not only incidentally, but
avowedly, there is the purpose that
England shall reap the chief benefit.
No one can yet guess where the eco
nomic pact of the allies will lead them.
There are many obstacles to it's sue
cessful working out after peace from
the strife of arms is superseded by
the strife Of international trade and
finance. but the interlocking British
Italian arrangement shows how far
reaching are the plans of British
statesmen and fnanciers. Whether
they will overreach themselves cannot
now be guessed.
The question of greatest interest in
connection with the project Is how far
the scheme ultimately will succeed In
dislodging Germany from Italy. Ger
many, at the outbreak of the war. was
very strongly intrenched financially
and commercially. Many Italian manu-
Evening star., 1916-10-08
Always Good Humored.

~oUVERNEUR MORRIS was talking
VI about the late Richard Harding
Davis.
Davis was never at a loss for a
joke" said Mr.. Morris. II dined with
him at Crossroads farm one evening.
the dinner being served by new and
very awkward waitress.
The waitress, half way through the
dinner, slipped with tray. spilled 4
bottle of beer down Davis neck.
HE said to her reproachfully. as he
swabbed up the beer with his napkin:
lit was ginger ale. not beer. L asked
for, Gretchen"
Evening star., 1916-10-08

prise. Substantially 1t becomes tho
guarantoE.
Specifically. the British government
agrees to contribute to the British
Italian company. by way of subsidy.
during each Of the first ten years after
It's Incorporation, an annual sum of
s25o.0oo. or the equivalent Of per cent
upon its paid-up capital. II less than
s5.000,00o.
In consideration Of the subsidy, the
company agrees to pay the govern
mont amounts equal to any dividend
above the cumulative dividend Of s per
cent per annum which the directors
may distribute to the shareholders in
any year after making such provision
as tho directors may think desirable
for bad and doubtful debts, and the es-
tablishment Of q reserve fund. until by
such means the government has been
repaid. without interest, tho amount
SO received by the company by way of
subsidy. This subvention does not ex-
tend to the Italian-British company.
Evening star., 1916-10-08
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

7TALY has interlocked her trade
future with that of England. 1t
is a part of the economic war
q after war plans of the allies.
Back of it is the government of Eng
land.
Not long ago there was published in
London the official announcement OF
the formation of two English and Ital-
ian corporations for the purpose of
furnishing banking and financial as
sistance in development of increased
trade and investment relationships be-
tween the two countries. American
Consul Skinner reported on the sub
ject officially. to the State Department.
and there were brief references in the
newspapers, but it's significance was
not fully seen.
The details of the plan, which are
now public. show how far-reaching
the scheme is.
A British company under the title of
the BritishItalian Corporation, and
with an approximate capital of S.
10000, was formed. Most of the capi-
tai was taken by London banks. A
board of directors was selected, six of
whom were Englishmen and three
were Italians resident in Italy.
simultaneously, a company called the
Italian British Corporation was form
ed in Italy, with capital of $1,000, 900,
one-han of which was taken by the
British-Italian Corporation. and the
other aalf by the British Cor
poration- Three of the nine directors
of the Italian company were appointed
by the British corporation.
1t was given out that the two com
panies would work in close collabora-
ton, and that their interests would be.
as far possible, identical. The
primary object of which was declared
10 Ge the development of the economic
relations between the British empire in
Ilaiy and the promotion of undertake
ings in the commercial and Industrial
n.ld i'll Italy They are to carry out
barking and financial operations
which do not fall within the strict def
milton of banking as generally under
stood.
Actually the formation CT these In
teElockiag corporations means that
England expects TO finance Italy In
the future and reap the benefit, in
tustrialiy and commercially, of this
financial dominance. More briefly
stated. it means that after tho war
England expects to oust Germany from
Italy.
The formation of the interlockng
companies in itself is unique. A
striking feature is the part the British
government takes in the joint enter
Evening star., 1916-10-08

Trentini's," for the pajama girl. The
book will delight the reader who likes
to skim off the top of things, in an iri-
descent and yeasty foam of circum-
stance. Serious-minded folks. how
ever. will be irritated and anxious over
the superficial quality of this treatment.
wherein the author. in friendly zeal.
pushes the girl beyond her powers and
crowds the man below his in order to
bring about the conventional happy
ending.
GO FORTH AND FIND. BY Edward
and Mrs. Ajax" etc. Illustrations
by Lester Ralph. New York: Mof-
fat, Yard & Co.
Too neatly put together by half to
carry conviction as a real adventure.
young woman from Philadelphia.
with any number of millions to her
account. goes up to New York, osten-
sibly to earn her living. really to ease
up the boredom Of her existence. A
young man from New York. also one
OF the tired-out idle rich. at the same
moment resolves upon a similar course.
Right here the miracles begin to set
In. Both find employment in the same
business concern, the man as book
Keeper, the girl as stenographer. Where
either of them acquired the elements
of his business the record does not say.
BY what easy means they slid into
their places, when hunting a job is
commonly one OF the tragic episodes
of existence, the account is equally
reticent. However. these points are.
doubtless. unworthy details, since both
not only acquit themselves In a sheer
genius OF accounting and shorthanding,
but they together evince a business
capacity that proves to be of substan-
tial advantage to q tnPpling concern.
Evening star., 1916-10-08

was George Washington Young of Gies-
borough, who was assessed at S65, 500. He
owned 624 acres of Giesborough and $50
acres of a tract called Nonesuch. On the
Nonesuch tract he had nine horses, three
cattle. carriage assessed at $3.50, two
wagons at $50 each. two OK carts at $50
each and a cart at 500. On the Gies-
borough tract ne had eight horses. thirty
five cattle and three carts He was as
sessed on fifty eight slaves at 500, 500, and
the Rambler here gives the names of a
few of those slaves:
Barney. Elias. George. Vincent. Glenn,
Stephen, Mace, Phil, Joe, Jerry. Hamlet Wat.
Jim. Alley, Dick. Ellen Mary, Betsy. Anna
Harriet, Belinda, Lizzie, Sally. Henry, Marion,
Martha. Julia, Nancy, Mag. Jamima. Cripsy.
Protus Morris. Israel, Nathan, Ben. Nick, Dan,
Motley, Bender, Peter and Ned.
]. Fenwick Young was assessed on
twelve horses, two oxen, four cows, three
Evening star., 1916-10-08

wagons, two carts and slaves, Anthony
and Tom. Mrs. B. s. Young was as
sessed for s13.750, having 208 acres of
land. houses and slaves. Frank, George.
Nelly, Susan, Fanny, Dan, Charlotte,
Sam and Mag.
At that time Jane Woodruff. widow of
LEVIN Talburtt, was the richest woman
in that part of the District, being as
sessed at s19,70o. having 226 acres. a
part of Chichester and 101 acres Of a
tract called Pasture and Cleaning: hous-
es. furniture four horses. four cattle, two
carts and slaves. Her son. George WASH
fngtcn Talburtt. was assessed at some
thing over $1,000. having a house on
carts, furniture and slaves Susan and
Charles. Thomas Jenkins of Thomas was
assessed for s6,475. having 112 acres
tmuch of 1t now covered by Congress
Heights), four horses. four cows, two pair
Of oxen, a wagon, three carts and slaves.
Evening star., 1916-10-08
Very Often, indeed.

TT ENRY FORD. apropos of the world
u war. said at peace meeting in
Detroit:
II think we neutrals should apply to
this world war a maxim that my SUM-
day school teacher used to apply to
Quarrels in my native Dearborn.
I'm a quarrel my teacher said. one
Of the parties is always wrong, and
often both are"
Evening star., 1916-10-08

Germany about twice as much as she
sold to her. so that the market was
very good one for Germany. 1t Is
this business that primarily England
wants to get. She also hopes to OBJ
tain as the sequel of the German busi-
ness some of 1taly's trade with other
countries. :
On the surface there does not appear
to be an encouraging prospect that
England will add largely to her trade
Though Italy is not manufa curing
country on a large scale, her chief
foreign purchases are raw material,
such as cotton and wool, for her tex
tile industries and copper for electrical
Industries.
England already supplies the bulk
of the coal which is used by the,
Italian navy and by the state railways
and industrial enterprises. Some raw
cotton Is taken from Egypt and little
from India Wool Is obtained from
South America, and the Australian COL
onies never have considered Italy as
an inviting market. Looking at 1t in
Evening star., 1916-10-08

the broad aspect. the British govern
ment doubtless sees enough increase
in future business to justify the sub
sidy to the British-1talian corporation,
even if the broader purpose were not
to cripple Germany economically and
industrially all over the world.
There has been no opportunity as
yet to note how Italy, aside from the
war enthusiasm. Will take the project
as permanent measure of national
policy. In the past there was some
chatting because of the aggressiveness
of the German financial influence. but
British financial influence is not likely
to be any less aggressive.
Italy will come out of the war with
her national debt greatly increased.
and England will be her principal
creditor. This will have a tendency to
strengthen England's financial domi-
nance. Moreover. the predominant
partner always gets the best of a part
nership arrangement, whether it is be-
tween individuals or between govern
ments. And England is most distinct
Evening star., 1916-10-08

Since the beginning of the great war
the British government has taken many
steps departing radically from It's
traditions. One step was to guar
antee the Investment of capital to the
British manufacturers of dyes. who
undertook not only to meet the de-
hciency due to shutting off the supply
from Germany. but also to put the in
dustry on a permanent basis SO that
there would be no future dependence
on Germany.
The subsidizing of the British
italian corporation, however, is more
distinctively new departure. 1t
commits the government fully to direct
Evening star., 1916-10-08

0 0ICHOLS avenue. which is the
IMlI main north and south highway
II Nj through the southeastern part
- " of the District after crossing
a stream bearing the unpoetic but
significant name. Stickfoot branch,
makes a long. steep climb to the crest
of ridge, broken by many stream
worn wales, which borders the south
east side of the Anacostia river and
the east side of the Potomac The
Rambler at other times has written of
the geology and of the general topo-
graphic features of this ridge. That
part which Nichols avenue climbs aft
er crossing Stickfoot branch is known
as; Asylum hill taking that name from
the Government Hospital for the In
sane which was opened on <hs height
in 1865.
Nichols avenue was named by the
board of public works. during the terri
torlal form of government in the Dis
trict of Columbia. after DIR. Charles H
Nichols. who had been active in the
project for the establishment of the in
stitution. who was associated with Miss
porothea Lynde Dix in her memorable
campaign for the humane and rational
treatment of insane persons in the
District as well as throughout the
world. and who was appointed the first
superintendent of the great hospital.
Nichols avenue was a section of
very old highway which in many
grants and deeds of two centuries ago
is referred to as "the Kings Highway"
and is laid down on maps from a hum
dred to fifty years ago as the stage
Va hi in crfo RI "a
The highway climbs the east face Of
the bill. the land abruptly falling
away on the east and sharply ascend
Ing on the west. until the crest is
reached. This cutting along the hill
side shows that the grade of the road
was reduced, that being the work of
the board of public works while Alex
ander Shepherd was vice president of
the board from February. 1871. to Sep.
tember. 1873. The bank on the west of
the road Is steep and high and up
grown with many forms Of vegetation,
especially with ailanthus
Considerably nearer the summit than
the bottom of the hill-road. a path
leads through the wild shrubbery and
up the embankment on the west hand.
Following this path one comes to
The house. though warped. weather.
beaten and seedy. is of historic inter-
est It was the home of an early own
er Of the tract called under old grants
St. El1zaoeth- II was on part OF this
land that the Government Hospital for
the Insane was established and the in
stitution itself has taken the name of
the old traot-"St Elizabeth" or "St
Elizabeth's." Out of the tract was
taken q large measure of land which
in 1867 was surveyed and subdivided
under tho nAme Of barry Farm" and
on that subdivision grew up the viii
lage Of Hillsdale and other settlements
for oolored people. In the oface Of the
surveyor Of tho District is an aRe-worn
drawing on which Is the following
legend:
Plat Of barry Farm, Tho division Of Barry
Farm. being the north half Of q tract called