davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
TRADE RIVALRY.
Figures for Imports and Exports OF
England and Germany Compared.

To THE EpiToR OF THE SuS-Sir. In
a letter TO THE Sun Mr.. Alfred Mueller
says that England is fighting Germany
because of rivalry IN trade" Taking
official figures issued by the Board OF
Trade for twenty years previous 10
1872, these Being the la,es, figures |
have. / find that in 1892 British i'm
ports and exports amounted to fills
i3i.64s. Ten years later. in 1902. these
had been increased to fST1,S30.0j3. and
In 1912 had risen to fi.313.6Ol,16 or an
Increase IN twenty years OF f62s.l51,-
1l3.
! have not the later German figures.
but ] find THAI IN 1871 GERMAN imports
and exports amounted 20 f?i2.o1.,0o
as compared to the British tl.231 .o36.-
GOO. showing Britain ahead ~ ,icrmany
in that year 10y nearly $500. 00O, 900.
And let IL not he forgotten that the
population Of Britain is only "A, 900, 600
az against ~Gernany's Sc 900. Don, giving
the latter a numerical superiority On
labor. whose rate Of wages Is lower
than in Great britain.
II ma! interest Mr.. Mueller to know
that in regard 10 shipping the inercan-
tile marine OF Britain in 1912 amounted
TO 2".5Qo,p0U tons gross. as compared
with Gernany's 5000. 900 tons gross.
NEW YORK, March 20. Il. C. II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
Who DisObeyed Orders?

According to passengers on the first
section Of the eastbound Lake Shore
train which was run into by the sec.
ond section Mt Amherst, Ohio, ycstcr-
day, the pilot of the following train
smashed the rear coach before the
cars had come to n standstill. or i'm
m%ediately after. What was the sec
ond section doing in the block before
the first section had cleared it?
This question will occur immedi.
ately 10 every intelligent traveller. In
the New Ravens wreck at Milford,
the engineer responsible for the dis.
aster disrcgarded the signals set
against him. Did thr Lake Shore
engineer do the same thing? And
are the caution and stop signals Gus
tomarily ignored? If they nre. the
signal systems might profitably he
torn out, and dependence for safety
reposed in the Quickness and skill OF
the engineers.
As The SuN has often said. a real
end collision is beyond excuse. 1t
can he explained, but the explana.
tion inevitably reveals disobedience Ia
orders, neglect of equipment, or fail
ure to provide the essential machin'
cry for safe operation Of the roads
on which the accident" happens.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30

the unfcathered biped which loves
better than anything else a debate.
and best Of all debates that which
leaves the question as open as II was
before the fioodgates Of argument
parted. IL the question ~ the ''happy
ending"
A Forthcoming feature Of the fll-
ums" has posed the question new
Should the picture story end hnp-
PLY or tragically? Two dozen tho
atre managers and movie reviewers
sat in solemn conclave on the wcighty
question. They had the advantage
over literary critics of swift ocular
demonstration Of the opposite posi-
bilities. Two sets Of pictures were
shown. one with Joy in the closing
scenes. the other with stark tragedy.
The vote was a tic, n dozen for SEN
timcnt, the other for logic.
hut the vote was not strictly on
the merits of the question. o was II
dictated by the unprecedented opinion
Of the individual critics. Base com
mercial considerations ruled. By hon
est confession. the voters agreed that
the sad ending was the more artis-
tic. the happy II false to the logic
Vt the plot. Hut these arbiters, torn
bet wccn nrt and business, left de.
cision TO the toss Of n coin, and the
force OF gravity decided that the pa.
irons Of the pictures would be better
pleased to lose the art and the logic
and leave the theatre with smiles, not
tears. on their faces.
Sentiment Is often gloomy. and
many an ~affectedly stern locker on
in the world Of drama loves surrepti'
tiously TO wet a handkerchief. And
there is u difference between what
the public wants" and what the filters
of it's pap bottle say it wants.
But the question Of the happy end
ing Is still in suspense. Why do moi
| the screens and the books compromise
by Offering both? If the unkind "law
| of diminishing returns" forbids sucl
generous provision for differences IN
taste, we might at least have oui
| stories put up in alternative forms
Thus picture plays could he an
, nounccd for Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays with happy ending. ant
for Tuesdays. Thursdays and Satur
days with the tragic conclusion. while
novels could he put out In loose lea
| editions. with the last chapter IL
pamphlet form to be tucked into al
envelope inside the back cover. to sui
the buyers taste.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
Mr., kitchln's Awakening.

We recently suggested that enact
ment of needed Federal laws was i'm
perilled because of lack Of sympathy
shown by Representative CLAUDE
KITCHrS with the Legislative pro-
gramme of preparedness. We have
freely admitted Mr.. KiTCHI>'s cmi-
nent ability tn perform the duty for
which he rs majority leader in the
House is primarily responsible. while
lamcnting his failure to proceed with
that duty.
II is Il pleasure now IN note evil
doncc that Mr.. kiTCnIN Is acting with
skill and seeming determination his
! proper role. q leader In sympathy
| with the respectable members, the
large majority. of his party. There
are agreeable signs that he has ceased
To heed the malicious whispering of
the Nebraska incubus.
The House caucus on the night of
March "a. called by MIR. KITcHIN,
adopted plans to expedite considera-
ton OF important matters. the great
supply bills. the bills required to re-
plcnish the Treasury to provide those
supplies, the army and navy prepare.
tiun bills.
We have not doubted Mr.. KITCH-
MS ability rs II legislator: we shall
| welcome occasion to praise him for
| patriotic exercise of that ability.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
senator Lawson's Police NH.

Senator LAwsoN's bill dividing the
police force into grades and fixing the
salaries Of Its members Is mandatory
legislation regulating the internal af.
fairs Of this city. 1t Is a sample Of
the class Of enactments that inter.
fcre with the administration of the
towns government, take the taxpay.
ers' money without consulting them,
and weaken the authority Of the off.
GERS elected to manage the business
Of the city.
1t should be defeated. not because
Of the character Of the pay schedules
II proposes. or because II would i'm.
pose a new and unnecessary burden
on the treasury. but because It Is in
fragrant violation of the principle OF
home rule. The Board NJ Estimate
and the Board OF Aldermen are the
legislative bodies that should decide
what salaries should he paid to po.
liccmen, fircmcn. street cleaners md
other city employees. The I.egisla'
ture should have nothing to do with
such details Of housekeeping. l,
cannot know the clty's needs. how
ever well Informed 1t may he on the
ambitions of its prospective benefi
Charles; and the property owners OF
New York are rs much entitled I,
consi1Cration rs ure thC nor thcy
hire To serve them.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
The RetOrt Candid.

To u EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir: \
short time ago | received from Repre-
sentative clyde II. TaNenncr two
pamphlets entitled "The Navy Leagu.
tnmasked' and ''rhe World Wide war
Trust" | was therefore impelled 10
write that gentleman this letter:
am one ~ ~presumahly n number ot
parsons annoyed by the receIpt or iVu
speeches made by NnI IN N" House 4
Representatives, I therefore fec a. "a.
erty 20 say 10 'ou that "ou Rrc, IN ms
opinion, OF" Of tho type ~ Coucrtssman
mo't Americans fcel ashamed Of pn-k
and politics seem 20 occupy rou~ entire
time, White s~'atc'Nnrship 's an unknown
quantity. ! am both glad ard SORRY shat
YOU are NOT the Congressman f'om my
district
Such cOngressmen lead ore q he''r,e
that II We could he rid OF Congress wo
should he better Off for then something
would ne done by united acton 70 NEE,
the grave EMERGENCIES that are POW con.
fronting us, s. ". NJ
NEW YORK, March %.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30

Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
Explalus ne New Moaey.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sir: An
editorial article appeared In TIE sun
Of March 20 entitled Initiating the Cur
rency' that contains some statements
which are likely TO convey an erroneous
impression to the ordinary individual. il
10 stated that IN the a Of the ffgures
contained IN the Treasury statement OF
March I, 1915. the per capita circuls.
ton OF paper money In the United
states made a rain Of - in the twelve.
month from March 1 TO March ]. This
statement without Q proper explanation
conveys the idea that there has been
great imitation In the paper circulation
during the past year.
As a matter OF fact. the circulation
statements show that the general stock
Of money In the United States increased
S4~S3.s6e.42s from March 1. 1915. to
March I. 1915. but II the gold stock
increased &~isS.544,372 during that time
there was an actual decrease OF all
other forms Of money Of S~2.b77.si4. The
actual gold does not 20 into circulation.
but Is represented by gold certificates.
which are. In one sense. paper money,
but as each dollar represents n dollar
In gold In the Treasury II should prop
crly he considered as gold In circulation.
and not a. paper. SO far. therefore.
from half a billion dollars or more OF
paper money having been added to the
circulating supply In the last year. ap.
proxipately that amount has been added
In gold TO the general stock Of money
In the United States.
Whether this situation calls for con-
traction OF currency may be a question
for debate, but IL certainly does not cMl
for such contraction for the reason
given In u paper. that the increase
consists Of paper money.
WILLIAM i. MALBuRN.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
WASHINGTON, u. c.. March 20.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
The Innocence OF Poker.

"Poker." rules Magistrate LEVY,
cannot Justly he considered gam.
bling" He supports the contention
frequently put forward by Old Man
Greenlaw, and sustained by the rec
ord Of the proceedings in the back
oom Of that philanthropist's Arkan-
sas City establishment. Poker Is an
art, n science, n profession. an in
dustry. From It the student derives
a liberal education; hence its popu-
larity Mt numerous institutions of
learning. 1t compels attention, re-
quircs analysis. inculcates caution.
No practitioner OF poker will be de-
ceived by outward appearances; he
has learned that a disconsolate face
may sit behind n full hand.
The dictionary. record Of human
hopes and progress. sustains the Mag
~istrate. az game of cards In which
the players bet on the value of their
hands. and he whose hand contains
the highest group Of cards wins the
pool or entire sum wagcred, provided
no has carried the netting through
this is the photographers stilted way
of saying that the hest hand wins II
its holder isn't blufed out. But:
Though originally always played for
money, as It's technical terms show. 1,
is now much played simply for amuse-
ment. the player who has most counters
or chips at the end OF "A specified time
being accounted the winner"
So poker has judicial and dlction-
ary vindication from the charge that
II IL gambling: Yet We have been
told that gamblers adapt II tn their
ncfarious purposes. Their depravlty
! transforms this innocent and highly
intricate pa>Iimr into an agency for
the extraction Of good money from
the pockets of some for the cdifica-
| tion of others: and this abuse OF the
national recreation. rather than any
inherent wickedness of the game II.
I self, we take to he responsible for the
fact that the name Of poker Is associ-
ated with frightful objects. and In the
form Old Poker ~designates speciti-
cally that Zoe Of mankind whose COM
moner appellation is the Devil.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30

But Mi. BAKER saw there was no time
to lose, cut out ceremony. and ar
proved Of everything General Sccrr
proposed to him. That Is to say. he
understood his " limitations, was
not afraid Of being thought ignorant
Of his new duties. and instinctively
felt that in the chief Of STAR he had
n loyal and capable subordinate.
In this attitude II Mr.. BAKER we
SEQ the brightest promise Of his sue.
cess ns Secretary Of War. Tn a
democracy such as ours IL the heads
Of the War and Navy departments
should he civilians. but they should
respect the professional skill Of the
officers appointed or selected to assist
them. and they should know how IA
avail themselves Of II. A Secretary
of either department who imposes
his inexpericncc on the service, dis.
regards technical advice, rebuffs men
Of merit. violates traditions. intro.
duces politics into his admlnlstra.
ton, gathers Mvorites and parasites
around him, and sets up az a Pooh.
Bah or boss, will end by demoralizing
the service and running It's prestige,
To Judge from the beginning he has
made NEWTON y. BAKER will not he
that kind Of Secretary.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
absolutely Fair"

The proposed investigation referred
to In the subjoined sentences from
President WILSON'S letter of March
rs to the majority leader of the House
Of Representatives has been urged to
guide Congress in amending the acts
regulating the common carriers of
the country:
"The railways OF the country are be-
coming more and more the key TO it's
successful industry. and It seems TO me
OF capital Importance that we should
lay n new groundwork OF actual facts
for the necessary future regulation.
~ know that we all want to be abso-
lutely fair to the railroads, and 1t seems
TO me that the proposed investigation is
the FIRST step toward the fulnlment Of
that desire"
The desire to be absolutely fair"
to the railroads is ut present ken
plified by the efforts to reduce still
further by legislative enactment the
inequitable payments made for trans
porting the mails. The railroads have
made their plea for higher compensa-
ton to Congress: n joint commission
has certified the justice OF their de-
mand. and yet n serious effort IL
making to cut down the rates now
IN force. in this we see M sign of
a desire to he fair to the railroads,
Mr.. WILSON 10 the contrary notwirh-
standing.
The investigation In behalf OF
which the President wro g would re-
veal the ignorance on which much
regulatory legislation IS based, and
disclose tie mischief many ~ the en-
actmcnts have caused. II should be
made. and until IL is finished there
should he no more assaults on The
railroads. But we must look TO ONE
thing more substantial than the
Congressional longing for justice Ia
support the hope that the inquiry
will be undertaken.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
E X THE BOX OFFICE.
Getting the Scalpers Is Good. hut Only
Beginning.

To THE EpiroR OF THE S~uN-Sir: The
arrest of five scalpers In front OF the
Metropolitan Opera House is 20 be COM
mended. | cannot understand why u
was necessary TO send women detec-
tlves and plain clothes men 10 round
up" these scalpers when any num-
her % policemen who must also know
that these men are breaking the law
stand about the opera house. Why
should no: they make the necessary ar
rests
hope the good work viii 20 on, but
II seems 70 NE that not only should
these scalpers i've arrested and fined.
hut something should he done with the
management Of the Metropolitan. The
real fault for MS ticket scalp.rg nut
sarce lies N the box Office. II the
managers OF our icy York theatres
were arrested and fiued. as they could
I've under the law governing this par
t!cular matter. | am sure the right step
would be taken 20 abolish this most ir-
r,,a:.ng custom. llrsToN /. RANDALL.
NEWARK. y. J, March 90.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
A Foolish Notion.

II 1t is true. rs reported in Wash
ington, that any Republican Senators
are charging the President with "us-
ing the Mexican expedition 10 further
his political interests" those licpub-
lican Senators are talking 1oOlishly.
1t seems to he their view that Mr..
WILSON'S purpose Is to have General
PERsHING's operations drag on into
the Presidential campaign. Evidently
they do not know PERsHING. He must
be eating his heart out now because
two weeks have passed and he has
not accounted for FRANCISCO VILLA.
Certainly tho Bripndicr in command
Of the American eApeditionary force
could not he used ns n tool by the
Administration.
As for Mr.. WILsoN, he must he
walking the floor nights because
VILLA has not been caught. As the
President does not desire armed inter
yentioli in Mexico he wants PEGsHING
tn get out of the country ms quick as
he can with the bandit leader alive
or dead. The longer American troops
remain IL Mexico the greater the
danger of grave complications with
the Carranzn Government. which
President WILSON has recognized.
His Mexican policy will meet with
absolute and irretrio>able failure #
Zinc acre" The HE.
The American pcnpl" do not want
war with Mexico, and they are fear.
ful that II the pursuit OF VILLA Is
prolonged for mcny days II may bo
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
THE IRELAND OF TO-DAY.
with the Dawn II Freedom Her A.
tltude Has Changed.

To ruE EDITOR on THE SrN--Sir: VIC
tor Herbert, the distinguished musician
and composer Of delightful music.
added nothing to his laurcls when ne
put aside mis- baton and scores and TOOK
up his pen to write. at several columns
length in THE SuN, about the attitude
Of the Irish toward the world war. Mr..
Herbert tackled a subject which he does
not understand. and reminds me OF the
English candidate for al Irish parlia-
mentary constituency. In his gifted
grandfather's novel, who when asked
II he understood the Irish replied that
the whole rare were quite incompre-
hensible.' Thank heave for n sense
Of humor In the Irish people and FOR
absence Of hard feelings toward those
who misrepresent I'M to the world.
Mr.. Herbert. German by education
though Irish by birth and descent. IL "A
generation behind the times in the
views which he presents. The impress
sion he tries to create. that the irish
hate England. Is grotesquely incorrect.
II might be premature to say that the
Irish owe England but the hatred has
gone out OF their hearts. The England
Of to-day IL not tho England OF a n
Grafton ago. II II were. a corpora :
guard could not I've enlisted In Ireland
for service In the British army.
I have not forgotten. nor can u
true 1rishman ever forget. that less than
a generation ago the machinery OF Eng
llsh law and the forces of the Brltisl,
Crown were used ruthlessly to drive
the Irish from their homes-often to die
by the roadside or seek a refuge In the
poorhQuse nor do those of us who wit
messed those things deny or evadc the
fact that we then hated England with
nm intense hatred. and longed for the
day when her difficulties would AFFORD
us the opportunity to throw of an alien
and ~tyrannical rule. But EnSldnd's
treatment Of the land OF our birth has
changed. and our sentiments toward her
ave been softencd accordingly. For y
number Of years past England has been
making generous amends for the wrongs
OF the past; and lrishmen's thoughts
are or n happy present and not or the
cruelties OF a bygone time.
Ireland IL prosperous and happy. aud
the day OF her freedom. constitutionaliy
obtained. is at hand. She may not love
England At present hut her feelings are
working in that direction. The hum
dreds Of thousands VI Ireland's sons
who have enlisted in the army are not,
however. pouring into the trenche 10
fight for England alone. Neither are
they fighting for France alone nor even
solely for outraged little Belgium. They
, are fighting the battle OF humanity,
fighting TO free even Germany itself
from tho tyranny OF Prussian %despotism.
The beloved land OF our adoption. like
all other countries. Is vitality interested
In the outcome Of the conflict and may
God preserve her In peace to share in
the fruits OF the victory by which right
will Yet be crowned. JAMES REILLY.
RipGEwooD. y j.. March 90.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
MERE MANS ONE CHANCE.
How 1.-The Extra Child" Can Saw,
Himself.

To THE FpiroR or THE SrN--Sr, II
Is woman's glorious trcsSes. Mere
Man" that has given her the " TO
take man in as \ kind OF extra child.
as Mrs. Charlotte 'erkins Gilman 50
Interestingly and scientifically points
out Woman has known this ever since
Samson was overcome by the ZEN
chanted cup and warbling charms" lost
his hair m was undone, From that
day woman has been planning mans
downfall as she trims her ,resses with
the moon and combs them In the suns
glad rays.
With wa;chful eye she has observed
mans shiny dome appear laughed with
glee as she saw his fleeing fringes fade
away, knowing full we'll tina; he- time
was cominS for rs mans hair Went.
so went his wit, wisdom and strength.
The only way See for man TO save
himself Is to cntrap woman and cut on
her hair II he doesn't he is gone. An
extra child He won, be anything.
JAMES II, DEwrLL, Jr.
NEW HAVEN, Conn, March 90,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
Imitation BY Bank Loans.

To THE EDITOR OF TIE SUN-Str: Have
you not drawn wrong conclusions from
the figures given in your editorial article
on Initiating the Currency? You say
that a gross Increase OF $5s1.141,oo Is
shown which is reduced to a net in.
crease OF s+~54.1s0.000 by decreases OF
$4,000 I'm the Treasury notes OF 1890
and $l27.402,0 0 In national bank notes
You add
Nevertheless. the currency statistics dis
close that half a billion dollars or moro OF
paper money has been added to tho circu'
lating supply In the last year. This de.
notes an extraordinary situation. one that
In view OF the easy condition OF the none,
market. calls for q contraction rather thar
fresh expansion.
DO not the figures which you give
show a material contraction OF partly
covered currency? The two classes OF
issues. $3.50. loss. 900 of gold certificates
and sl63.31s.0O0 OF Federal Reserve
notes, A%ggregating 35t3.&36.o00. are
nothing more or less than warehous.
certificates for a corresponding amount
OF gold and the only imitation they
represent is gold imitation. The in.
creases in silver c~ertincates. United
States notes and Federal Reserve bank
notes. ag~greeating s.3O4. 900. are Offset
by the decreases Of &l5s.oo0 in the
Treasury notes OF 1890 and si27.+oc.00
in national bank notes. a total OF sl2'.'
SOL 900 or an actual decrease In partly
covered paper issues OF 3ss.l5I,0o0 dur
ing the past year.
II Is my understanding hat a create,
part OF the cash reported by the banks
Of the New York Clearing House Asso
citation as gold is really gold certificates
hut one would hardly ca. this paper
money" In the sense in which the terri
is used in your article
The really serious imitation OF the pas
year has occurred in the bank loan
the reports OF the Comptroller OF Tho
Currency showing an increase IN the ma
tional bank loans Of the country 81
1901. oo0.o 900 during the year 1915. and
the reports OF tho New York cicarinr
House banks and trust companies show.
ing a loan increase Of 100000 900 from
March q. 1915. 10 March %. 1915.
JoHN FISLEr.
Srw YorK. Marsh 90
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-30
Pleasant Forecast From Plcasantylll III

To THE EDITOR or THE SrN-Str; This
wear eggs will be much cheaper than
usual for Easter. Tho spr,nglikc Janu-
AIRY thaw was quickly followed by a
heavy snow. natures blanket to pro-
tect the growing grass.
When the spring rains come 20 he
absorbed by mother earth Boastfnl
Bluebeard will lead h!s wives TO the
green pastures, where Biddy will seek
tho succulent grass. or ~pcrchance nip
the luckless worm.
Yes. Eggs this year VIII be mach
cheaper han usual for Faster.
g. II. QuINBy,
PiEAsANTvIiIE, March 90.