davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
A SPASMODIC CONVERSION
Wilson's Shift on Preparedness
Carries No Conviction.

10 tho Editor Of Tho Tribune.
Slri Tho sudden and violent conversion OF
President Wilson 20 preparedness ma h''
strenuous speeches would be extremely comic
yero n not gravcly tragic that the freSi-
dent Of the greatest country on the g'op'
should prcacnt such spectacle Mt Time
when democrncv and civilization itself are In
the cruclblc Of n world war
competent and successful statesman, ms
a Waterman. aces danger from nfnr and pre-
parcs his country against H. when the dan
ger has rcached the door adequate prcphr"-
ton and defence nro impossible. why docs
Mr.. Wilson adopt Colonel Rooscvolts Issues
II he hn, not come 10 realize that they are
the true ones and, II true. Ia not tho country
70 be concentrated that IL has n private clti'
zen who /. such n statesman that no can
and does show Mr. Wilson whnt he ought 70
do? II Mr.. Wilson were broader man ana
would frankly adopt Mr.. Roosevclt' Ideas
and put them into practical effect AN sure
Colonel Roosevelt and the millions for whom
he speaks would most heartily support HIM
II he would devise other effective meas
ures Of preparedness having the support OF
competent expert opinion no patriot would
refuse him hearty and loyal support. TIC
people cannot be fooled by strong words
supported by weak, Ineffective action MaEe
believe and half-measures unsupported By
competent opinion are exasperating. II pre-
paredness is needed now, why was II not
needed when the Great War started and why
has il taken a year Of valuable time TO eau
cate our President 10 realization or ms
need? When the world is on IRE now car
the people have confidence IN the leadership
Of a man who for 70 long time insists tha'
there Is no danger and cautions even egain't
talking Of il as dangerous ard unpatrlotlc
VIII this spasmodic conversion when the nre
is at our very door inspire confidence!
No more time must be lost by foolish eH-
periments and half-measures. The CONT
mental army idea is not approved by prsc'l-
cal experts or by experience ana 10
obviously poor mskeshift for real army
A regular army Of $4,000 men, as Mr. VII
son proposes, is inadequate, as the rost CON
servative expert opinion places the minimum
AZ 100000 A continental army TO bring the
regular army up TO 100000 does not meet me
requirements. Universal service is the only
effective defence. This was shown by the
necessity of the draft in our Civil war ana
by Consumption in England IN the present
war Universal service is the only Just ana
fair means of defence Defence Of ones
country is duty Of every citizen and is not
a matter of choice. Why parley over inef-
fec.ive measures when effective ones are
known and proved: +. 5 justice
New York, Feb. g. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14

cheap attempt to confuse the public TO
give the country counterfeit army In
place Of n real army and TO keep national
defence on tho old basis Of pacilist phrase
making and humbug.
II Il evident that Mr. Wilson would he
satisfied with preparation for political pur-
poses only. But the country will not stand
for such betrayal of real preparedness
any more than Secretary Garrison would
stand for It. II has no use for prepared
ness as Il mere cover for new distribution
Of pork.
It would be far better TO so back to the
unashamcd naturalization Of Mr. Bryan
or Of Mr.. Wilson in his message TO Con-
gress of December, 1914, than TO try TO de-
Jude the people with plan of army reor-
ganization which would only divert money
from the Federal Treasury TO the support
Of the state militia.
Mr. Wilson and the Democratic House
leaders have got rid of Secretary CARR
son. But they still have TO reckon with the
aroused national sentiment which demands
a real army as the first essential in any
scheme Of national defence.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
Protect Taxpayers Nickels.

Mayor Mitchell declares that "at the
proper time and in the proper way The
city will see that bonuses, legal fees and
cher kindred padding which may have
found their way into the Interborough's
CONSTRUCTION account" shall not be Laid
out of public funds. Mr.. Straus, chair
man of the Public Service Commission,
assures the public that the company will
not charge TO construction improper or
extravagart items Of any character
Even the $4,000 already allowed to tie
company for administrative, legal and
engineering expenses" may not have been
finally disposed Of, he indicates.
These are welcome assurances. The
public had ample reason to believe that 1t
was safeguarded at least from the vicious
padding of accounts on which the city In
the end must pay part of the total expen-
6itures and interest charges. There was
careful scrutiny given for many months
to the terms of the contract and beyond
that was the jurisdiction of the Public
Service Commission over the accouhth@
system Of the traction company. In spite
Of all this, the padding is in, and, as things
stand. "the city holds the bag
1t is high time for the city to stop hold
ing the bag and to make the other fe ow
carry his own burdens. The Mayor and
Mr.. Straus should work out a procedure
hv which the city can be relieved Of all
the improper charges which the Int bor-
ough has attempted to saddle on it, The
city needs its own nickeis quite as badly
as the Interborough needs the straphang-
'ers' nickels. Public officials must be just
as Jealous i'm protecting the taxpayers
money as the PETERBOROUGH officials are IN
grabbing for ii.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14

10 tDe Editor Of The Tribune.
S.r: The Tribune announces to-day tina, l.
will accept Justice Hughes as d candidate FOR
President. and gives the impression that re
wou.l rot only be acceptable, bu, that he
would be welcomed with joy-with real satis-
faction.
Where does Mr. Hughes stand on prepared
ness
What is Mr. Hughes's foreign policy
Does he believe in watchfu waiting OF IS
he ia favor of protecting American lives IN
foreign countries?
Does Mr. Hughes believe IN a Federallzed
national guard or in an army?
Is he in favor of making the national guard
a further drain Oh the national Treasury.
with no result other than 10 build up po-
ntical machine or does he believe in real
military preparedness?
Is he too proud TO fight?
Does he believe IN peace al any price 81
peace with honor?
There has been TO utterance from Nh.
Hughes for many years on any question th:t
is now vital to the prosperity and happiness
Of the country Would The Tribune employ 4
general manager in these days of high press
ure because that general manager had en-
loved some measure of success on weekly
raper in Tuscaloosa Ala. twenty years ago?
Would The Tribune employ general man
ag,r whose capacity for great responsibility
vas INFESTED. unknown or could not be sscer-
tanned? Is the Republican party going 20
nominate n man who cannot express himself
on any of the great questions Of the day and
who has led q clustered life FOR many years
y ill We have candidate for President whose
views will be known the day after the con-
yeution?
cannot believe your editorial of TO-DAY
actually represents the judgment of the men
who have given us the up-to-the minute.
honest newspaper that YOU are publishing.
feel that you men who are responsible for
the policy Of your paper and responsible for
careful analysis OF national issues have failed
20 give this matter the mature delberat.cn
that IT deserves.
Justice Hughes as Governor Of New YORK
did rot win the admiration of the radicals be-
causc the one great radical measure enacted
during his term and ever passed by New
York Legislature the two-cent rate law
was vetoed by him. lie did not please the
conservatives because they were never quite
positive Of what position he would take on
subjects that came up for consideration. His
work in handling the insurance investigation
accomplished no farreaching result. 1t was
restricted piece Of work. with no attempt 20
have it reach beyond the local condition which
vas Lefore the committee, and contributed IT.
but negligible measure TO the increased happi-
ness or prosperity Of the people.
Give Us leadership. Don't urge upon us
further uncertainty. We want men. not
enigmas. ". II. SEELY.
Newark n j.. Feb. II. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
Roosevelt Ueber Allies.

To the Editor o. The Tribune.
Sir: have recently become a daily reader
and admirer Of The New York Tribune be-
cause Of its vigorous persistent stand in be
half of stout-hearted Americanism. During
the last year and half Of national weakness.
vacllation and decay The Tribune has been
steadily blazing the way for this country to
the position Of honor and prestige which
America proudly held in world affairs during
the virile administration Of Theodore Roose-
vdt. and from which she has ignominiously
fallen during the invalid" administration Of
Woodrow Wilson.
When The Tribune began its campaign Of
Americanism it had but small group of fol-
lowers to encourage IL in its faying of the
policy Of peace at any price" To-day it has
q rapidly increasing host Of apostles. who in
the fall elections are bound 10 yindicate the
policy Of The Tribune by retiring the present
Administration and placing our government
in the hands of statesmen rather than makers
Of literature.
believe that it is quite generally agreed
throughout the country that there are only
two men in public life to-day who can defeat
VI
two men are. OF course Theodore Roosevelt
and Charles +. Hughes. believe that Mr..
Hughes is sincere I'm his announcement that
he is not available ! believe too. as much as
admire Mr.. Hughes personally. that IL would
b. serious mistake 20 establish precedent
which would inevitably make the Supreme
Court Of the United States "a training camp
for Presidential candidates With Hughes
eliminated those OF us who desire 10 strike a
blow I'M behalf Of stout-hearted Americanism
have but one course 10 pursue. We must
throw aside previous political affiliations or
personal animosities. We must forget every
thing but the issue.
Do we want 10 continue an Administration
which has stood for peace without honor. for
comfort and safety at any cost or shall We
demand al Administration which stands all
the time in the eyes OF the world with ac-
tcns. as well as with words, for international
righteousness. justice and honor and for
vigorous. stanch-hearted Americanism? There
can be no other issue than this IN 1915 There
car be no other candidates on this issue In
1916 than Woodrow Wilson and Theodore
Roosevelt. Strength 10 The Tribune in its
work of keeping this issue In the foreground,
There can be only one outcome Of the issue:
the Americans Of 1916 are sons Of the Ameri-
cans Of 1861 and grandsons Of the Americans
OF 1916. Theodore Roosevelt will be nomi-
mated for President on the first ballot of the
Republican convention in Chicago. and will
receive an electoral vote which VIII even
break into the solid South.
GEORGE G. THOMSON.
New York, Feb. 10, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
Muzzles for Dogs.

To- the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: in reply TO the inquiry Of one Of your
readers as 20 the practical value Of dog muz-
zlcs, I should like TO say. as the owner Of two
dogs, one bull terrier and the other a blue
Eclden setter. that find the muzzles Of much
good. can let my dogs out. muzzled. with
the feeling that they will not get into a fight
with other dogs. which in my neighborhood
are all muzzled. Also. when | 20 walking
with the dogs ] am not in a panic every time
"a strange dog happens along lest there will be
O. ght with the usual big crowd. much noise
and probably one or more Of the dogs in
jured.
When the muzzle ordinance was first en-
forced ! was inclined 10 object. but when
understood the pleasure Of going out with
dogs and never having a tight 10 spoil the
walk I saw the value Of il. This, you will
See is a statement made entirely from the
viewpoint Of the dog owner. without any con
sideration being given 20 the relation of the
law 10 the saving Of human life and
injury. As dog owner / should be sorry
indeed II the law were repealed. &. b.
Brooklyn, Feb. ;, 1916,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
A Call for Facts.

TO thc Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The statement issued By the anthra-
c.tc operators relative to adjustments be
tween their employees and themselves will
De. I iordly hope. landmark in the struggles
ictxcen capital and labor. In it recognition
D., given TO the fact that both employers and
cmpIoyes are but servants Of the people. The
people. then. must be the final arbiters Of
the conduct Of their servants. And 10 is The
moral support Of the public that is 70 be
fhe greatest factor in permanent adjustments.
TO them each side must present the facts.
But 4 public decision is expected, let
ttcrc be- no dallyng nor subterfugc. The
cold facts must be presented. facts charac-
tcrzed by unprejudice. justice. efficiency.
Let tho anthracite operators bare their hearts
tnOrIty. just what their profits are. and
whether am increase DO the price Of coal or
what proportiouatc increase is necessary.
Let the association OF miners put forth its
statements. describing social and economic
conditions among us member, 20 prove that
30 per cent increase 100 wages or any in
crease is necessary. Let these statements,
too. be- certified.
And the anthracite public Will be interested
and will hand down the decision
ln the meantime, anthracite owners and
workers, be- honest,
ln the meantime anthracite users. become
enlightened JAMES J. LIND.
Brooklyn. Feb. Is. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
CERMANY'S OFFER TO BELGIUM
Satisfactorily Explained by Process;
Of CROSSWORD

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue Of February TO- under
London date line, you have a news stor %
the effect that Germany has made trait.
and hattering offer 20 Belgium" which Ky
Albert has declined after conference w.
Lord CurzcL and Sir Douglas Ha.g. Iaesa
stance Of the alleged offer is that German
will restore the kingdom OF Belgium as +.
was before the war. return Albert 70 -i
throne and pay big indemnity. German
reserving the right 70 hold Antwerp and OH'
end as German ports.
The evidence OF Germany weakness, az.
cordinc 70 this story. Is In that u TIN; ore'
were accepted. Germany would be able F"
withdraw for use elsewhere the troops no'
in Belgium and also be able 20 cut down ma
terially the west front which She IS ho'
obliged 70 protect, thus releasing f1'ihs'
troops
If such offer had been accepted German!
could not hold Antwerp aud Os'cnd. u "o.'
take the Allies about fifteen minutes 70 "a
plans for the capture of amy German io''s
which might be lett az Antwerp and O''el'
the balance of the German forces beng VIZ
drawn. Assuming that the indemnity a..sss-
10 have been offered by Germany wouN
practically an exchange for these two pof'
which would be the only reason Tor onei-'
an indemnity, Germany Is now IN posi-
10 90 all that she might have accomp.s"
had the offer been made by Germany ana"
cepted by Belgium.
-rrt~r 20 20
withdrawing from Belgium if She wants y
thus releasing the troops there engase1
shortening her western front. and tnere !. y
earthly reason why She should apply -.
Albert or anybody else II she wanted 20 'N'
this action.
Germany has never claimed that sne az
sired 10 retain permanently the Singdoh {.
Belgium. but has Away. maintained maj '"
advanced through Belgian territory 81 p
military measure. 80
l. is more than probable that German.
made or is prepared 20 make overture "
King Albert and 20 the Bc.gans. ana mar
British. fearing that The substance o,
many's proposal. becoming known "ol'1 '-
press the balance OF the civilized "oi.u o.
reasonable and fair in -s tenor s''- ~,
the news story which yo1 pun. ,he' Ian.
10 forestal any beneficial effect o. F,
sentiment which Germany might oo.'..
case the substance OF .er offer TO D''s
became public through other source ...
This would account for the story
A. all and coming from London. Il O,'
evidence of careful preparation ana '' a..
guage is the language of diplomacy
macy is never what it seem. on the sl''e,'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
Unneutral.

President Wilson's proposal that new
sea code should be adopted illustrates strik-
ingly his ignorance of the law.
If he were a better lawyer he would
know that laws amended during lawsuit
are not binding upon the litigants in that
suit.
If Mr.. Wilson were business man ne
would know that party TO a contract can
not be expected to agree to an alteration OF
its terms when the contract is only half
fulfilled. unless the alteration is of advan-
tage to him.
If Mr.. Wilson were sportsman he would
know that the rules Of the game cannot be
changed in the middle of a contest.
But Mr.. Wilson is schoolmaster, &C
customed 70 making rules when he chooses
to and having them implicitly obeyed.
international law in regard to warfare
at sea may be changed and expanded when
this war is over but for the present its
general principles are binding. 1t may be
that certain variations in the law would be
of benefit to this country and that we shall
try to have them adopted. But the pro-
posal of our government that the Allies
should agree to alterations in the law which
would benefit their enemies is not only an
impertinence, but an unneutral act.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
Devoted to His Duties.

I the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Because the action Of the Board Of
Education at ITS last meeting may have gwen
.he impression that Superintendent Joseph ).
TAYLOR las proved inefficient or derellct in
the performance Of his duties, ! ask you 70
Bee so Kind as TO give space 20 this expression
of the opinion Of one who has known him and
worked with him Tor wears.
During the time he was superintendent OF
the 18th and 18th districts 7 was chairman
of the 18th district local school board and
I have 10 hesitation in saying that, Of the
several superinteudents who have served m
that district since my official connection with
10. in 1898. none has been more faithful and
interested than Dr. Taylor. His transfer was
I'd cause Of regret throughout the districts he
.upcrintended. That transfer 20 one Of the
largest districts. with the most serious prob
lens and hardest work Of all in the city,
showed the opinion the associate superin-
tondouts had OF him
Personal knowledge of ms work in The
Bronx and Of the esteem n which members
of The Eronx local boards hold him Is
convincing evidence that his attitude toward
ms duties is the same now as heretofore.
10 Is "a shame that personal animositles
,rd determinations between members OF the
board of Education should infict injustice
and injury upon a faithful employee and it
i- almost sufficient TO convert a sincere be
never in a large Board Of Education into
becoming an advocate Of a small one.
CORA l.. MAGNUS.
Chairman Local School Board, 18th District
LII fufC
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
A Lost Opportunity

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sin: President Wilson ta. tae Ere'','
portunity ever presented Co. ans man o.. ...,
I'm times Of enforcing general rec ..,
Of international law. De declared ..,,...
OF his notes 20 Germany thai To-
will be held 20 "strict accoln'aoi''''. ..bs
What To that tribunal Of na'i'n' ..,,s.
but none the less existent ih''''
opinion. ,-. .he cr
ie,cnce Of that tribunal and stand 80, 80. o.
.use the entire physical and moral 20, z
tho United States 20 compe' reeos" =, he
.nefed. A. between the violations b
right, Of one nation by another D, s. .., IS
questionable whether the lntea here
obliged 20 interfere in ali cases. p .s. lives
can be no question Of i;s duty Nhen en-, ~, !, ssy
- United states citizens are az s'SN' 5.,l,-s
quarter Of the globe. To hesitate ~ al, ne
the existence Of this law is 20
domination Of international ana'-. -, ,opsl.
All mankind today, stunned by -. siy.lI
r;r, catastrophe that has fallen upon T''.ss
cation. is loomng toward FFe'lasn. IN hs
30 note his action. should he "sss .s .,r,-
determination and qualify his s'ahass's bliga:
Nv 10 keen America on, Of the val .s.srcui
~ apathv and hopelessness vi" eopEN
the entire world. t%N'N'' A..
New York. Feb. {. l5Aa
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14
An Over-Advertised Doctor.

Three months ago the newspapers Of
the country were fun Of the Boiling"
case: columns were given over TO the rights
and wrongs of b.; physicians, parsons, 500
cioloeers. writer's ON eugcnics and expo
nents Of the ant o. Brotherhood espresso
their thoughts on -o irabillty of letting
inferior children Oh. and the doctor chiefly
concerned i'm the celebrated affair supplied
the reporters with his own thoughts on
various subjects. simplifying them with
autobiographical details and obhgingly
sitting for his portrait in various more or
less imposing and impressive attitudes.
The Illinois state Board Of Health took
up the matter, apparently with some
thought of disciplining the Jealous I'm
proven of the race, however, it has now al
lest been decided TO let it alone. The Attor-
ney General it appears. argued that mas
much as the over advertised doctor had
been the consulting and not the attending
physician in the case. he should be re-
leased from responsibility for the death.
So he was allowed to retain his license and
we shall probably hear no more about a.
incident which for week or two was the
cause of a great deal Of needless agitation
and excitement.
The doctor retains his license. but he
has had warning which may possibly be
Of some service TO him in future. His
worst offence was the deliberate manner
in which he made known the particulars
of a case that was Of no immediate i'm
portance to the public. He had 10 use
his Judgment when the question arose
whether he ought or ought not TO perform
I'm operation on his patient. He decided
hat he ought not to operate, but he decided
1t the same time that he ought TO send
'or a reporter and explain himself There
vas no good reason for this decision. The
xcuse he gave was this:
Through the hospital employees. word had
,een whispered about the child's condition.
JUNIORS could have been misunderstood; so,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-14

contrary 20 tho teachings Of my great Leader
and wonderful friend. DR.. Christian fcnger.
| decided TO make tho case public. chlled
for n reporter ON ono Of tho leading papers
ono whom had known for great many
years conscientious md broad minded
woman knowing fully the story would traV''
from post 20 post
The excuse was quite inadequate. In
where physicians are held to
strictcr accountability than In Illinois ne
would undoubtedly have been char 'cA
with professionally infamous coru1c. ana
would probably have been discl Il The
public discussion Of the matter d'. no goou
and the doctors photographs were alto
gether supernuous. He would do wisely
IN future to follow the advice of his great
leader and wonderful friend.