davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
A NIGHTMARE FOR AMERICANS
A CIergyman's View of Our Failure to
Fight the Powers of Darkness.
le Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Il has occurred to me that If is selfish
and ungrateful in me, day after day, to read
your sane and Loyalty American editorials
without n word OF acknowledgment All
through this dark and gloomy period OF
eclipse your editorial and correspondence
columns have been like a light in dark
place. Tho last two years and half have
been like a nightmare to one who has always
proudly cxulted in his American citizenship
The present occupant Of the White House
and his Administration have reached the
floodtide OF incompctcncy and cowardicc, and
as an American, son Of veteran and boast
ing n lineage from the glorious days Of 10
the blush Of shame msntles my cheeks when
think Of Belgium. Armenia. Mexico and the
Administrations cowardly policy with ref'
erence to them. Neutrality is a crime. SIM
an insult TO God when it will without sub
stantial protest. mcekly acquiesce in nay
rather. practically become "psrticeps Grim
inis" in wholesale murder and rspine.
There is to my mind no middle ground pos
siblc in the present crisis; it is Christ aud
the Cross against "the powers of darkness
and the prince of this world, and what pos
siblc alliance or afiilistion can there be be-
tween light and darkness? II is only too
horribly evident that the spirit and motives
Of Berlin and Vienna are born Of the same
mother az were those OF the Turk, he Goth
and the Hun. Away with pretcnce and sham.
Either wc are Christians and civilized or NC
arc not If We arc. why dctain Christian
gentlemen as ambassadors to nations which
have forfeited every right TO be regarded as
civilized peoples and deserve to be dealt with
as savageS and ysndals?
Instead Of seeking to add 10 the glorious
heritage under Old Glory. the Administration
seems to have busted itself with winning
trophies from Eros. We're it not for your
editorials and those Of The Times and "Tte
Springfield Republican" and your correspond
ence columns. one might be tempted to think
our nation had become cfeminste and pleas
ure-mad. such as presaged the doom OF Greece
and Rome in earlier centuries. God forbid.
No. il is a minority Administration as well
in its conduct OF as in its election to office;
il is a shameful and shameless misft, mis-
representative un-Americsn, and cowardly,
incompetent thing from beginning 70 end, and
| doubt not the American people are, as
patiently as possible, awaiting opportunity to
disavow and dslodge it.
WILLIAM r. MEM,
St. Johns Church, Oneida, y. Y, May 9,
fQtc
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

either the Beekman or Wingdale site, after
adequate investigation. 1t provides for
farm and industrial prison to replace Sing
Sing. 1t makes an appropriation to be
used for rebuilding Sing Sing. the plan
being to make a modern reception prison
on the rising ground north of the railroad
tracks and to turn the present "bastile'
into workshops, now much needed. That is
scheme wholly in line with modern ideas
of penology 1t has the support of many
able and public spirited citizens who as
suredly cannot be accused of being cranks
on the subject of prison reform.
Governor Whitman would be making
serious mistake to approve the Towner bill.
He would be making only less serious
mistake if he vetoed both bills when so
generally satisfactory measure as Sena-
tor Sage's awaits his approval
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
No Delay in Prison Betterment

There is an obvious answer to Governor
Whitman's query "Why not veto both
bills?" referring to the Sage and Towner
bills providing for new prison to replace
Sing Sing. To veto both bills would delay
about year whatever improvement can
be made in the prison situation by new
prison and rebuilding Of the present Sing
Sing for different uses. Any such delay IS
eminently undesirable and, The Tribune
believes, unnecessary.
Ii may be conceded as the Governor re-
marked after the hearing on the two meas
ures, that neither is ideal But there is 4
very real choice between them. The
Towner bill is open to many objections
which cannot properly be lodged against
Senator Sage's measure. Both propose
about the same thing-the appointment
of a commission 10 select a site for the
prison to replace Sing Sing and the re-
building of the present Sing Sing. But
the Towner bill is so constructed that it
commits the commission TO the Wingdale
site, once abandoned by the state, and re-
qures construction to be according to the
plans already drawn. That is, it would,
according to its opponents foist on the
state.a prison site around which have cen
tired nasty political allegations and
plan for an old style cell block or "bastile'
wholly at variance with modern ideas Of
prison management.
Senator Sage's bill, on the other hand,
leaves it for the commission TO choose
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
The Artists Reward.

The revived popularity of Ralph Blake
lock, has put many in mind of the injus-
tees inevitably associated with the present
way of rewarding artists. Mr.. Stephen
Haweis. himself a painter, wrote to The
Tribune the other day recalling the old
proposal that an artists financial inter
est in his work should not necessarily end
when a munifcent patron has browbeaten
him into accepting small price for it,
He spoke incidentally Of a painting by
Degas which was sold at auction a few
wears ago for about 5000 900, but for which
the artist himself received only 500. "lf
ANYBODY" observed Mr.. Haweis. produces
something which is worth 100000 at any
time. clearly he was underpaid at f2O'-a
truth which cannot reasonably be disputed
In order, therefore. to protect the artist
he suggested reconsideration of the plan
bv which "an artist should receive per-
ccntage on every public sale Of his pictures,
on an increasing scale, from | per cent to
20 pcr cent. for fifty years after the first
sale. TO he paid by the seller automatically
into common fund upon which an artist
could draw on furnishing proof of lden-
tity.'
There is much TO be said for the pro
posal and perhaps those who take chances
at picture-buying with nothing but their
own taste and judgment to guide them
would be glad to sec it extended. If the
BUYER is to be taxed for his fair, ought he
not likewise TO be compensated for his
errors If the unpopular painter OF merit
is to be rewarded as public taste improves,
whv should not the creator of occasional
pot-boilcrs be made to pay during the same
process?
Among living painters Degas' Renolr
and some others would doubtless proiit
considerably; Cez1unc'S heirs, too, would
come i'm for a handsome little legacy. IT
NAV be doubted. however, whether a gen
eral application Of the principle would
seem altogether reasonable or profitable to
some others who need not be named.
Those who favor the scheme will prob
ably contend thai the Encouragement OF
not boilers would be wholly beneficial, but
that. after all, is beside the point. 1t has
happened not infrequently that the dis
eliminating buyer was obliged to get rid Of
his stock before public taste had risen to
his own level. in such a case ought not the
artist to be compelled to make good his
patrons loss?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
The Broken Soldier.

The broken soldier sings and whistles day
to dark
He's but the remnant of man, manned
and half-blind
But the soul they could not harm goes
singing like the lark,
Like the incarnate Joy that will not be
confined
The Lady at the Hall has given him a
light task;
He works in the gardens as busy as
a bee;
One hand is but a stump and his face a
pitted mask
The gay soul goes singing like a bird
set free.
Whisuing and singing like linnet on
wing.
The others stop to listen, leaning on
the spade;
Whole men and comely, they fret at little
things,
The soul Of him's singing like thrush
in a glade.
Hither and thither hopping, like Robin on
the grass,
The soul in the broken man is beautiful
and brave;-
And while he weeds the panses and the
bright hours pass
The bird caught in the cage whistles Its
joyous stave.
Katharine lyman, in The London West
minister Gazette.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
The Truth of American Arms.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Several writers TO your paper, an
swering a recent letter stating that England
has never lost a war, make reference to 1916
and 1872. The American Revolution was
never regarded by England as foreign war
and | have yet to read any writer Of au-
thority who states that England had any
ossible chance Of success in the American
Revolution.
However, any one who thinks the War OF
1919 was a success for American arms GER
tainy does need TO reread his history. Far
from a success, it was disgrace and cslsm-
ity-the worst war, up to date, that this
country has waged
II is most unfortunate that our schools
and our American histories do not tell the
truth about our wars From two wars with
England over a century ago-in which the
great majority OF the British people had no
interest-and from two wars with the weak
Latin countries of Mexico and Spain we have
built ourselves tradition or inyincibility.
Instead of teaching our children that the
military blunders Of the British generals in
the Revolution simply fastened the march Of
an economic certainty and made the Revo-
luton a success: instead of teaching them
that 1912 was not a success, but the exact
opposite; instead of teaching them that the
wars with Mexico and Spain could have been
waged by a trained army with one-tenth the
loss and effort what do We teach the school
children? That America IS invincible and
never lost war | was taught IN primary,
grammar and high school.
Il would be infinitely more patriotic il we
taught the truth. and if every voter realized
hat God has bccn GOOD 70 America in every
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Why should the telephone company
charge half rates or any rate whatever fer
service when the subscribers house is closed
temporarily and there is no service? II
costs nothing to have the wires and instru-
ments lie idle temporarily. Other public
utilities, gas, electric light companies and
water boards charge nothing under like cir
eumstsnces and each has more or less install
ment lying idle Why should the telephone
companies be permitted 10 make a charge:
understand the Public Service Commission
ers are now considering new forms of con
tract from the telephone companies for APP
prevail and now is the time to protest against
this injustice.
TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBER.
New York. May 10, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
A Noisy Car Line.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The residents Of West l45th Street
and vicinity, between Edgecombe and Amster-
dam Avenues, are enduring nerve rsckiuc
noises which make IL almost impossible to
rest at night. The nuisance arises from the
laxtv Of the car company in keeping the
trolley line tracks in even ordinary repair.
The constant crashing and hammering of the
cars over loose and broken rails and sep
arated joints give fair intimation of two or
three boiler factories doing overwork. A
personal inspection has shown several places
where the rails do not join or have beer
worn or broken. Such. conditions would
hardly be permitted in any small community.
A TRIBUNE READER.
New York. May 10, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
Incorrect Reproductions of the Flag.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The parade badges yesterday Dds
represented the flag of the United states l'
correct flag the blue union or field oo,'
not rest upon a red stripe, but upon '''
white. the symbol OF peace. Does not iae
spreading of the red typical Of the iiie o'oo'
Of our country over the lower part OF l''
union in this small misrepresentation seem
insuspicious in these days Of ""ar' '"'
rumors Of vars?
The blue Of the flag ;yp.des Truth gu.
honor OF the country. Yet nothing cold '.
more untrue than flag por.ray.ns Iol-
seven stars. Not only has Che correct '".'
since July (. 1912 shown forty-e'sn- STARE.
but there was never a date wtcn forts -'e''
was the correct number. New NeA'co '.'
Arizona became states in 1912. Che -ofn'.
on January IS, the latter on February i-' ON
their stars were added 20 the flag ON '''
following Fourth Of July previous TO "n'''
time the flag had borne forty-siN stars "i''.
the admission Of Oklahoma, DO 1901 Never
has an authorized portrayal Of the flag 'ao- .
nine stars in the top row, as misrepresen',.,
in the flag before me on the badge OF an 3''
Of the Insurance Club.
The commonest form Of disrespect snow"
the flag is in its misprinting. A map is rs
quired 70 be accurate. Verbal pictures o.
persons and events are regulated by law
avoid the hbellous. What lies back OF 'h',
carelessncss in picturing the flag? Our car.
Of the material flag and our accuracy m ~
representation symbolic our understana.hs
of that which it typiies. The flag sgn'ns,
national entity. II is a representation OF
symbol Of the United States
MRS. c. &. NELCAMP'
Ohio State Chairman, d. A. r. Committee "
Prevent Dissertation of the Flag.
Brooklyn. May IA. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
The Reason.

We have received several letters asking
the question contained in the following
communication
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There is good deal OF smszomcnt
among patriotic Americans IN these parts
that il should have been possible quietly TO
suppress the Lusitania memorial meeting III
New York What is at the bottom OF II all
Where are the Americans? Where, Tor eN-
annie. is The New York Tribune which many
of us have grown to look to as the champion
of n strong national policy? As ! am one OF
YOUR readers and subscribers, perhaps you
will be willing to give me some light on TINS
matter. RALPH bAhlON rENNi'
Cambridge. Mass, May II, 1916
The situation as The Tribune under
stands it was this: The Mayor believed
that the meeting would provoke disorder
and might lead to grave consequences. lie
acted with knowledge of things which have
not been communicated to the public. His
mistake. if he made a mistake, was made
simply and solely because Of an estimate
of conditions which seemed to him serious.
The Tribune has not criticised the
Mavor and does not purpose to challenge
his Judgment in this matter. because 1t UNI
derstands his motives and feels that with
the responsibility that is his he should
be permitted to act in accordance with his
best judgment.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
THE RECORD OF PROHIBITION
Figures Which Present Ii as Anything but
a Cure-All.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The article on prohibition published
in the issue Of your paper for April % gives
what are said 20 be the views of prominent
business man as to the efficacy Of prohibitory
laws in promoting temperance. With the ex-
ccption of the first paragraphs. 1t IS largely
a rchash Of the old. stale arguments oil the
professional prohibition agitators and Is
filled with misleading statements and asser-
tons without foundation in fact. 10 sho"
the unreliable character of this article II Is
only necessary to give few quotations from
the article accompanied by brief statement
Of the facts:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
An Afront to Americans.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: | wish to add my protest to the one
published in your paper this morning over
the signature IAN American" against Nine.
Gadski's being allowed to sing in the produc-
tion to be held in the Yale Bowl. Owing 20
the position her husband is in al present her
public appearances are an afront to the
American people. A w. r.
New York, May II. 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
In Defence of Nine. Gadski.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Since when has it become an Ameri-
can custom to make war, relentless war. on
women? What has become of American chiv-
airy? Is no voice to be raised in indignant
protest against this persecution of Nine.
Gadski? The sport is all the more unworthy,
and all the poorer. because Nine. Gadski can
not even fight back She must take il all in
silence. NEUTRAL.
New York. May Il. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
Where to Enroll for T. R.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: How can ! enroll in the Roosevelt
bipartisan League? | would like TO send
M little mite but don't know the address.
A. +. LANDON.
Hampstead, Long Island, May l6. 1916.
Write to Guy Emerson, secretary, IL Van
derbilt Avenue, opposite Grand Central Ter
minal New York
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
Converted.


To the Editor OF Inc tribune.
Sir: I'm converted Preparedness, with the
full force OF its true logic has completely
overwhelmed me. When such gigantic array
of American citizens come forth and pro-
claim themselves, then truly it is the coun-
try's voice that speaks, and who dare not
heed it?
I'm converted, and my feryent hope is that
every doubling Thomas and believer will
fall in line and show true patriotism.
A. +. ROSENBERG.
Brooklyn. May 49, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

No proof Of this asscr-
ton is furnished. There
is none. The great ma
iority Of the physicians
Of the country hold with
Or. Abraham jacob
formerly president Of the
American Medical Asso-
cation. that the use oi
alcohol is highly bene-
fetal in the treatment OF
certain diseases.
Captain Hobson and
the Committee Of Fifty
20 Investigate the Al
cohol Problem agree
that more than so per
cent of the adult males
of the country drink al
coholic beverage. HUI
man nature. therefore.
must be divided into so
pcr cent foolish and 20
per cent wise.
The report OF the
United States Census Blu
reau shows Kansas eighth
in the list Of the per
capita wealth. while
Nebraska IA vet state
is fifth.
There ia no proof that
the low death rate Is
due 20 prohibition. Maine
has had prohibition for
sixty years. yet the death
rate in that state IS
higher than in all the
other states except three.
Nineteen states have
fewer homicides than
Kansas. That state had
NJ the time the last Unit
cd states census was
taken lI.36 murders per
100000 population.
The United States cen.
sus reports for 1910 show
that there were in Kan
sas i3.5 psupers per l0O.-
600 population. Fourteen
-tstes. most OF which at
that time were wet. had
O. lower rate Of pauper-
lem. Louisiana. 4 wet
state. with about the
came population as Kan
sas. had only 49, pau
pcrs.
This simply means that
the state insane ssylum'
were located in the other
eighteen counties. The
rate OF insanity per l00.-
900 population in Kansas .
increased from s8.f in /
1890 TO 1922 i'm 1910. I
This rate Is higher than
that Of ten license states.
The facts are that the
number OF prisoners in
penal institutions in
Kansas. given in the lat
est census reports G9lol. /.
were Oil per 100. 900. I
Ten wet states had a
lower rate.
HIDDEN GRAHAM
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

Confirming this inhi-
bition of drink. and
even surcr. are IN. in
stinct and experience Of
human nature.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

1T kansas has next
20 the lowest death rate
OF any state in the
Union.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

war waged to date. This favor may not al /
ways continue: and at least We should do
more 10 merit t. J. J. SHIELDS. /
Philadelphia, Penn, May Is, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

ut kansas has the
fewest homicides and
murders OF any state
In the Union.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
: am deep in the prisoner question,

am deep in the prisoner question
and shall be horribly busy as soon a. 1t s all
officially settled The Bulgarian goyernmoni
is british about Dr.. The German coutro.
there is very strong now and thc Bucar'
hands arc tied. However. the Americans are
doing their best. and | am tclcgrspnlng Tor
money to London and begging them 70 RAISE
a Prisoners Fund for the Serbians. We have
enough for the English and French. There
are only 45O English and 900 French. We
have 10000 francs from France 20 spend, 80
we are getting s>carlosd ready 70 send inc
moment We can get there sure with an Amer
can TO distribute. SO we arc having trying
time to get il done They must be m terri
bic state after four long months OF conhne-
ment on what the Germans will allow me
Bulgarians 10 give them There are 5oVV'
Serbians. and they are the worst on, OF
course. and one must try 20 save this rem
nant OF manhood to preserve race.
If can get money for the Serbian' M
work is cut out for months. | have com
mittce and am already starting TO collect
but / lack funds entirely for such p huge en-
terprise. II will take at least 10000 20 give
them A little care and clcsnlinesf saw
the wrotched remnants Of clothes they tarlea
in i'm Serbia with my own eyes just ie"
rags What condition they must no" be '
dare not think, but We hear they are dying
like flies. 1t is awful And We are tne
nearest to them here in Bucharest, as tls
communication by Salonica is closed 10 'ra''
Gc wish some one in America would tax
it up too, and send me funds through lne
American Minister am waiting mpaueh.'
for answers to my kilograms TO London 20 tns
Relief Fund But there is relief for The e'l
population and this is the army and Don
know if they will have the courage 10 star
fund for me; they are oyerworked as u l'
However. must do all / can, and help gen
orally comes. BEAIRlA bAhNLA
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

There were an Kan
sssl ffty-three counties
without any prisoners In
Jail and sixty Ave coun-
ties without any convicts
in the state prisons
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

kansas average
holding OF taxable prop
erty is the largest OF
any state in the Union. -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

There were only SO
paupers in Kansas in
1919"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

"In' Kansas out OF l0i
counties there were s.
without any insane
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

That alcohol u \
poison il the general
teaching OF the medical
profession.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
TO SAVE SERBIAN PRISONERS
A Plea from Bucharest for Contributions in
Aid of Bulgaria's Captiyes.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The inclosed extract from a lettel
from my daughter. who is the wife Of Che
British Minister at Bucharest, will intercs.
all those who feel compassion for the Serb.
ian people. +. J. CHAPMAN.
Barrytovn-on- Hudson. y. Y, May 10, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

Middle Aged Jobhunters.

New York. May .. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

We have received several letters asking
the question contained in the following
communication:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18
Why a Telephone Charge for Nothing +?

New York. May 10, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-18

Tntsred Al u, Fostonoo at New York Second Cis"
Mail Matter