davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
To the Editor Of Tn, Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There appears TO be- an impression
en- the part Of many that the United States
can do nothing to stop the deportation OF
Belgian civilians by Germany except Just to
utter a protest or declare war.
Suppose Congress were TO pass law for
bidding the sale in the United States or the
transportation across its territory Of goods
produced in any country where civilians OF
other nationalites were held in involuntary
servitude with or without alleged wages.
And, suppose further that this law provided
that such restrictions should continue IN
effect for three years after all civilians so
held had been restored to their own lands
and given their freedom.
There might be some constitutional difficulty
in doing 1t In exactly this form; but the
same result to all purposes could be accom-
plished in either Of several ways. II there
were any question about forbidding the sale
Of such articles, an import duty Of 100 per
cent in addition TO the duties otherwise pro-
vided would do the business. And the bar 70
transportation could be limited to interstate
commerce. There 10 no doubt that good
lawyer could frame 1t 80 1t would hold water.
An exception would have TO be made for
such civilians as came into a country of their
own free will and were afterward imprisoned
for crimes there committed; and perhaps
ether details would present themselves for
solution. But there are no really difficult
questions involved.
Such law would have weight with Ger
Iaada-q no fOraiOn cornmarca Ia a
tender spot. She knows she must have il
Cor all there is any possibility of securing)
after the war in order to get on her feet
again. She can't compel any other nation to
buy her goods. A law of this sort would
receive serious and immediate consideration.
She does not care rap what we think, nor
what we say; but she does care what we do.
At the present time Germany can't get
enough goods TO our shores to be of any con-
sequence commercially; and so the need of the
three-year clause, which would make it very
important to take prompt action to prevent
the law becoming operative against her. A
certain time would be allowed for the law to
20 into effect. If deportations were stopped
within that time, and those already deported
returned to their homes and freedom Of &C
ton. that would be all there was to 1t, and
no restrictions would be declared. 1t would
necessitate quick and definite action on the
part of Germany, and there would be no occa-
sion for discussing the matter.
II Germany wished to enter into diplomatic
discussion, she could do so, and the discussion
could be prolonged as long as she liked; but
the law would go into effect and remain until
the discussion we're ended, or until the ex-
piration of the three-year clause.
1t may be objected that Germany would
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
THE PROGRESSIVES' PROBLEM
Do They Deserve To Be Taken Back as
Republicans?
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Yesterdays Tribune contained an in
terview with Chester H. Rowell, chairman Of
MIA, in which ne stated that the Progressive
Republicans of that state worked srdently
and Loyalty for Hughes and the entire Re-
publican ticket. and that they were the only
Republicans that did so. Mr.. Rowell Is en-
tirely in error, for the regular Republican
organization Of MADEIRA County, which ad-
Joins Mr. Rowells county Of Fresno, under
the leadership of a stanch regular Republi-
can. Charles W. Wagner, did more work for
Hughes, Johnson and the entire Republican
ticket than Mr.. Rowel and his newspaper,
"The Fresno Republican"
If Mr.. Rowell was so loyal TO Mr. Hughes
why did he permit the business manager of
his paper to stump the 7th Congressional
District for wilson? During the campaign
read Mr.. RowePs paper and noted with
regret that he was not giving Mr.. Hughes
the support that ought to have been ac-
corded the Republican candidate. Why did
Governor Hiram W. Johnson's oficeholders
stump the state for Wilson and Johnson? No
matter how much Mr. Rowell and Mr.. John
son may strive to blacken his character, the
fact remains that Hughes was the most hon.
est and fearless candidate that ever ran for
tho Presidency since the days Of Abraham
Lincoln
Governor JohnsonS studied insults 10
President Taft and Mr.. Hughes will recoil
upon him and his name will be mention ed
with contempt by his fellow countrymen all
over the United States
Can Mr.. Rowell or Governor Johnson ex-
plain how It happened that in 1912 President
Taft received over $4,000 votes in the Re-
publican primaries and in the general cleo
ton Of that year only $500 votes were cred
tied to him7 Does that result look reason
able, Governor Johnson then, as he does
row, dominated the political situation In CAL
iforna.
The Progressive Republicans In their
statement, recently published in Chicago,
stated that they did not appeal FOR reinsta.e-
ment in the councils of the Republican party
as supplants or penitents. That sounds
ridiculous, in view Of the fact that they had
entered into innumerable deals with the
Democrats IN New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
California and other states. The Progress
sves In New York State even nominated or
Endorsed Democrats for Congress and for
Members OF Assembly. Why should men
who have been dealing with the Democrats
have a voice In tina organization Of the Re-
publican party? GEORGE W. WAGNER.
New York. Dec. II, 1918.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
AMERICAS TURN NEXT
A Traveller in Germany Found Her Plan
ming TO Attack Us Later
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I have made flying trip through
arts OF Germany, making stops at Cologne
Elberfelds, Dresden, Leipsic and Chemnitz'
How got into Germany from Switzerland by
tho way Of Basel and out again is quite
story. ! had my troubles, and came near
being put off the train between Basel and
Cologne in the middle Of the night in the
worst storm ] ever saw, but | remained on
the train-and that is another story.
The first thing am greeted with IS head
ing in one Of the New York papers, III the
Allies Arc Beaten Il viii BE Americas Iurn
Next" Let me tell tho people Of these
United States that never truer word was
ever spoken. Plans have been all worked
cut and perfected as only the German stan
can do it, They know to gun how many
we have, what they arc and where they are
They know the best landing places, but they
are not where you would think they would
land. They have the plans Of every harbof
on the Atlantic coast the depth OF water
the run Of the tide. They will not bother
about the Pacific Coast at the beginning.
They know to a ship how many are laid up
at the different navy yards. In fact, they
know more of the present conditions in THIS
country than most Americans. They are Kept
informed to the smallest detail by the thou
sand-yes, thousands of Germans here In
this country whose duty to the Fatherland is
10 give this information. New York is not so
active in giving reports as ST. Louis, Mil
waukee and Cincinnati. These informers are
h. rnent m rough
headquarters at Washington.
Germany was more than pleased at the
result of the election. They like Wilson, for
they have come to learn that when he says
thing he does not mean it. | have heard him
laughngly called jellytish.
| spent some time with friend in Chem
nitz who was ir the employ of one Of our
department stores in New York for many
years and who has returned TO the Father
land. We had many warm and interesting
discussions. The summing up was: America
look TO yourself if the Allies are beaten.
There should be an awakening among our
people and demand made upon the govern
ment at Washington to prepare for an event
that may come, and God help US II we are
caught Sunprepared "God only helps those
who help themselves"
| spent three days In London. Are they
discouraged? Not bit OF II. In the words
Of Paul Jones, they have Gust begun to
fight" | found no hatred for US in England.
One gentleman said to me: 1--WE do not want
you to get into this mess; you can help US
more by keeping out; but we do want your
sympathy"
If the Allies are beaten it will mean war
here. Perhaps not the first year after the
war, but for certainty within five years
after the war Don't let us deceive ourselves
in thinking that Germany will have enough
of war. She knows when It will be the time
to strike US, and she will strike and strike
hard.
FRANCIS STEWART GooDSPEED.
New York, Dec. II, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
A Criticism Of the CiH's License System

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Commissioner Bells policy In giving
licenses TO the blind and crippled is good
one. But does George H. Bell know ths.
many Of the blind and crippled llcens.e, are
members Of the organization for which I. |,
my privilege to be counsel! Does he kno~
that those In charge OF the Association for
the Blind are urging their charges to Join
the organization Of which he complainsl The
New York Newsdealers Association contends.
and with reason, too, that there have been
many instances of abuses Of discretion on
the part of Commissioner Bell. May ! be
permitted to cite one of many such cases'
Charlotte Gertchtuck has a newsstand At
the southeast corner of Chambers Street and
West Broadway. Her husband, who was
blind. was licensed by the Mayor in 1914
She has three children, aged seven, thirts,n
and fourteen, respectively. Her husband
died on the oath day Of August, 1915. She
reported the death of her husband 70 the
License Department az the time she made
her application for a new license. License
has been refused her because her Husband
had $4,000 insurance on his life. The vicos
says this is the only money that the family
has. The children are the benefcisria
under the terms of the policy, bat the moneI
cannot be touched until they become twenty
one years of age She has TO other means Of
support She has had 70 give up her hone
and 60 to live with her sister because the
earnings Of her newsstand are insufficient 1t
this time Of the year. She told Z. c. Beech.
erer, Of the Commissioners Office, thst the
newsstand nets her about So week at th'
period of the year; that In the summer she
can earn SIS week. Whereupon Mr.. Beech
erer said to her: "If you tell me you make
less than s35 a week, you lie"
The ordinance before the Welfare Commit
tee is not the best that can be framed but
it is a step forward in an endeavor TO cor
serve the rights Of newsdealers Why Is the
License Commissioner so afraid Of the alder
men? Surely the alderman Of to-day Is re.
spected in the community and possessed Of
plenty of sound common sense.
| would strongly urge upon the Board Of
Aldermen that an ordinance be proposed
which would provide that the local Board .,
Aldermen hear appeals from decisions OF TIE
License Commissioner. That would give rs
the check upon the Commissioner which
might be we'll TO provide for In asking io'
the submission Of such an ordinances TO 'h'
Board Of Aldermen, would say that We are
looking beyond the Bell administration and
making preparations for succeeding sdmfs-
istrstions. IRWIN IRA RACKoT
New York, Dec. ~, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
Dean Grosvenor

II was entirely in keeping with the char
acter and aims of the Very Rev. Will
lam Mercer Grosvenor that his last words
should have been of the Cathedral of which
he was dean and whose fortunes absorbed
his attention. The Cathedral Of St John
wife and children, of fame and fortune.
He had espoused it in as true sense as
ever Queen Elizabeth married her king
dom. His kingdom it was, his life. And
when with the suddenness of lightning
death smote him, it simply punctuated a
consciousness which had no other object.
There is naturally strong disposition
on the part of Dean Grosvenor's friends TO
regret that he might not have been spared
to see the object of his devotion, if not COM
plete, at least within measurable distance
of completion. But Dean Grosvenor, we
venture to believe, would have been the
last person to encourage such lamentation.
The Cathedral 20 him meant much more
than the sticks and stones which have gone
and will go into its composition. Institu-
tionally, as a spiritual factor in the life Of
the community, it had already assumed
definite proportions, as only he could fully
appreciate, and for the rest its majesty
demands that it shall be the creation of no
one generation. he WAS only TOO happy
10 nave had hand in its promotion, to
have hpoD anle TO dedicate his life IN IFS
growth and 70 look forward TO a final rest
ing place within It's sanctuary.
And as FOR the Cathedral, how infinitely
richer become its associations with the !p-
clusion within It's fabric Of those whose
lives are its foundation!
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
Belgium's Blood on Our Hand,

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Maeterlinck's burning words In The
Tribune must have deeply stirred every Amer
lean heart The American ideals to which he
appealed are not dead among US. believe
some action that will justify the faith the
rest Of tho democratic and civilized world
has In US. All that Is needed Is for The Trib-
une or some other powerful agency TO lead
the way. Tho thing to do Is to send Won
Bernstorff home and break OF all relation,
with Germany unless she instantly abolshe,
the slave trade shs has revived in Belgium.
In this day and generation slavery Is little
too much. A self-respecting man would not
associate with one that kept slaves A nation
should have at least as high a code Of morals
as a man. Put upon Germany's primitive
savagery the condemnation of all enlightened
mankind. Make it clear that this country
will never acquesce in slavery.
The government in Washington will do this
II enough Of US demand 1t.
Unless We do take some such action, are
We sure that the blood Of Belgium and the
slaughters Of her innocent people are not on
our hands? We stood by and saw the muir
ders and did nothing to prevent them.
One word from this country uttered on the
side of right is Of more weight than all the
heavy artillery IN the world.
The Tribune had magnificent editorial on
this subject hope it will keep hammering
away. The people are with IT, All that is
necessary is 70 get public opinion focused
and articulsted. WILLIS J. RUTLEDGE.
Washington, d. c.. Dec s. 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
OUR DUTY TO BELGIUM
Boycott of Germany Three Years After Ensavemen OF
BELGIAN WorLmen Urged to Make Our Protest Effective

retaliate BY barring American goods. she
could do that. Of course, just as she can 90
II ANYWAY, IL she ever wants TO; but that
would hurt her far more than II could hurt
us. In fact, Germany has very little value
ca a MARKET for our goods She may want
some things after the close OF the war; out
AZ that time they will be goods which she IS
more anxious 10 buy than we are 70 sell
The sort Of goods Germany will want then
will also be in demand from all the otner
nations which have been engaged in the war.
Our market for such goods will be larger
while il lasts than our supply The markets
we need TO cultivate are those Of nations
that can be made steady customers for years
20 come. Germany is not promising held
for developing permanent American business
And besides. IL we really care for the welfare
Of the helpless Belgians. we will do some
thing, even If it costs trife
It is certainly only right for US TO refuse
TO permit the importation Of goods from any
nation which is resorting virtually to the
use of slave labor. II Germanys actions are
continued, our example would no doubt be FOL
lowed quickly by other nations, until ma
ton that enslaves civilians Of another coun-
try can find no markets in the civilized world
cpen to receive its goods. And that is just
lead in such salutary movements.
have no quarrel with the German people;
but so long as they allow themselves to be
ruled BY men who respect neither the laws OF
nations nor humanity, they cannot hope to
escape the natural consequences. The fiddler
will collect his pay. Our action in this mat
ter NAV have a good effect and bring German
leaders to their senses more quickly than ~
could be ACCOMPLISHED otherwise. IL is al
most impossible 10 believe that she would
ignore such legislation by this nation.
Il seems to me that We have reached a time
when II should be impossible for a nation
to defy the laws OF nations and yet expect
to be allowed to exploit their markets. We
should make this evident to all men by un-
mistakable legislative action This would not
be law for Germany alone, and we should
not be giving up our position OF neutrality
in enacting It; for il would apply in exactly
the same way to England, France, Russia or
any other nation which should be guilty OF
the same offence.
Ever since the beginning of the war in Eu-
rope have been opposed TO hasty or ques-
tlonable action by the United States. l have
been glad that our government has not been
in great hurry to act, even where | be-
lieved action fully warranted. But feel nor
that 1t Is cowardly not TO do what We prop
erly can, and do il as promptly as We can.
Perhaps there are other ways in which we
can deal with this matter which offer as
great or greater promise Of bringing Ger
many TO realize her position. But let this
great country show her spirit and do her
duty. We have no right TO shirk
EDw. CoRMAN.
Knoxville, Tenn, Dec 8, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; Some one has said, Nobody io'e'
fat man" To this could well be ADDED VIZ"
he travels in crowded trains"
You are jostled or knocked again" IN :,
overpacked subway train. You are anno',.
The guilty person is Fat. Then you, -
rises so degrees higher. No ore eon"''.
the fat man requires, instead OF taxes nv.
room than his brother Of vertical dimen''''
only. 49,.
There is a seat vacant. The fat man ".',
il. and half of the next one. Frown' shS
furious glances from those he IS ero.'~.
Still. he can no moro squeeze hlmseh -.
the allotted space than he could sune ,
shoes when his feet demanded NO Il" IA
Passengers are standing, impatenuy 81
ing 10 board a subway or elevated us"'
ere held back by "0ne moment--so%e 80,
getting off," The tsrdy individual sno "a.
either been doing or too engrossed ~
PAPER, finally emerges, leaving behind n'n
trail OF irritation. He has elooweo
pushed the people inside the tram ono
layed those without-an offence. lie ~.
the defence becomes an outrage. p'''"
proportional, he is doubly annoying
For our fat friend, then, who wishes "
tain the good will OF his fellow trssen, y,
there remains but one salvation. Lev
courtesy be as generous as his propo'"Oss,
Let his Thank you's." his Pardon nv,
and his "I'm sorry, sir's" be twice as 'H'.
twice as frequent and twice as spon''h's..
Let him show that q Chesterfield can ,s-,
a Chesterfield, even in the subways mao IT,
In short, let him prove, as Edna Feroe' -.
he at least has the soul OF wood n'nr
and is not fat clean through. J. u
New York, Dec. II, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
GUENEVERE'S CHARACTER
How the Atburian Triangle DeveIov.a
from Lay Figures and Fairy Tale.

To tho Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: tx" of Montclsir in The Tribun. "a.
day breaches the subject OF Cuenevere's goos
character. Mallory and Tennyson both twisted
her story a-plenty. But ~" will have trouh,.
in finding any earlier version that does nue..
better for Guenevere.
Miss Jessie L. Weston, a clever Engli.A.
woman, has done important work IN studyis,
the growth and development Of the story .,
Lancelot and Guenevere. In the Grim
Library volumes ~ and Is. on The Legend
Of Sir Lancelot du Lac and The Three Da,,
Tournament, arc from Miss Weston's De,
And in the new Encyclopedia Britannia.
she sum. up the fruits OF ,er study in IA.
articles Arthur, Gueneyere, Lsneelot q,
Some OF tho points she brings out may IA.
terest "X.7 First che calls attention 70 IA.
fact that the cycle is more Ike fairy tale,
than real legends Of ehivalry-Merlln, 70,
instance. Miss West calls Arthur IN ii.
earlier forms Of tho story "a lay fgur.
n passive spectator. In the prose ronsrc.,
morally he Is no whit different from n.
knights who surround him. He Ia,
two sons, neither Of them born IN vedocks
Miss Weston says that the tradition o.
Guenevere's infdelity "formed a part Of n.
primitive Arthurisn legend" In different
stories her lover has different names, row
Faerin, now Kay, now Mordred. Tn. Per.
ceval legends give her a good character. IN
the French romanees Lancelot Is twenty
years or so younger than Guenevere. IN
the time Of Eleanor Of Aquitsine and Chrs.
ten de Troyes the story was rewritten VITA
Lancelot the Queens lover.
This and much more "Mr X % Montelar
will find about these legends and their trans.
terrence from Brittany 70 Great Britain
where they may have first originated In
Miss Weston's books and in her article, IN
the Britannica on King Arthur Arthurau
Legend the Grail, Guenevere Lancelot, N.r.
lin, Perceval, Round Table. Tristan, Nsory.
Map and Wolfram von Eschenbach.
GLOOMY GAWAIN
New York, Dec. II, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
Cooperative Markets Under Federal
Control

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir, You and your intelligent readers are
we'll aware that the present high cost Of food
IS causing a worldwide sense Of danger,
especially among the poor. and that cities,
states and Federal government are taking
measures 10 protect the people from the
often enormous profits Of the mddleman
who deals In these necessities OF life. In
any business all are entitled TO reasonable
profit, but when one dealing in food products
that every one must have TO sustain lie de.
n,ands an immense profit then the people
should be protected from the avarice Of the
few.
contend that this could best be done by
great cooperative markets in our large cities,
honestly and ably conducted, owned by both
producers and consumers. who would be sat
isfed with a reasonable profit on their money
invested. These markets should be under
Federal supervision, and each could be used
as n great base OF supplies for the army
and navy in case Of necessity. Thus would
we have agricultural preparedness as an eff
cient aid TO military Preparedness
l.. h. CAMPBELL, NJ. D.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
marlborough Items

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Two out Of many similar eAps''''
with the lnterborough lately:
En- route home last night-siSty-t"o H''
utes from Twenty-third Street s'Au0"
l66th Street station Of the Third "
IL" between $3.50 and 1882 p. m. ,,s.
On Thursday December 7, missed SOU w..
bound train a. l66,h Street and lh't" aid
nue.. 1920 q. m; next train rushee " ~.
station at 1928 a. m.,-with wh>",' osr
:ng-and the following train stopped
station at lo:30 a. m, ismmed to tae a" "a
Is /: no, time that Shonts, hee.ss
were asket TO get out! :
New York. Deo L. 1916. ~ 49, e =
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
Our National Forte
g Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; Surely We should fight Germany right
with? Moral force? Our
National Guard? Our huge standing army ?
our magnificent feet with its fully recruited
crews? Our aeroplanes?
No, by all means, let Us keep 70 our forte.
note writing. hoping that no great nation
viii call our biafs."
GUSTAVE L. ADAMS.
New York, Dec. IL, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14

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