davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
Examples of Ship Purchase
TErop, TaaIIata1

The Democratic Administration pro-
poses to spend s50,000,0 900 for the pur-
chase of ships, in the hope that this
may lead to the eventual establishment
of an adequate merchant marine. The
future may be judged by the past. Dur
ing the spanish-American war the
United States government went into
the ship-purchase business. The early
experience resulted in the purchase of
a considerable number of naval auxili-
aries and the later sale OF these vessels
at a sacrifice. Some of the naval auXili-
aries, the prices paid for them by the
government and the prices at which
the government sold them were as fol-
lows: Alexander, purchase price $685.
S25.25, selling price. $17, 400; Cheyenne,
purchase price $19,63905, selling price
$3.50; Hector, purchase price $500. 900,
selling price S65.15o; Hornet, purchase
price S117,500, selling price $500; Mia
CARA, purchase price $4,000 selling
price $4,000; Restless, purchase price
$4,000. selling price S1,00s; Shearwater,
purchase price $4,000. selling price ST.
$50; Yankee, purchase price S575.000,
selling price 5000; Yosemite. purchase
price s575.OO0. selling price s11,522.o4.
The purchase of ships at the present
time might temporarily relieve the con-
gestion at various ports. 1t would not
solve the problem of merchant ma
rine. The reason more Americans have
not gone into the shipping business is
because there has not been enough
money in IL. In normal times it is hard
to make any profit This is due to the
fact that the cost OF operating an Amer
lean ship Is a great deal higher than the
operating of a European ship. Amer
lean laws compel the payment of higher
wages. the employment of more men
and the purchase of more equipment
European ships can carry freight al
lower rates, and thus drive the Amer.
ican ships off the seas. The American
merchant marine was built up in the
early days by the application of the
protective tariff system in the form oi
a preferential tariff on goods shipped
in American bottoms. That is ths
remedy that should be applied now.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
Seventy Years and Now
[Holyoke Transcrip'

To-day the militia is a military
orga nization of trained citizen
soldiers, led by men who have
been obliged to know their job,
strike a very high average. The
community recognizes the sacri-
fices they are now showing that
they have all along been willing
to make. 1t is no small public
service that each and every one
has to perform. - Uncle Dudley in
Boston Globe.
The prompt response of the militia
all over the country to the president s
call is the test of our system. Federal
ization of the militia has been agitated
and legislation has been enacted to
make the system more coherent and
easier for handling in case of emer-
gency. The quick responses from
eX cry State in the Union since the or
der of Sunday proves that we have a
live militia. It's no dead letter. This
mobilizing of the militia recalls the
fact that 1t was 10 years ago that
United States declared war on Mex
leo before. War was declared by our
country April 26, 1S46, and a few
known as the War bill" BY it the
president was authorized to employ
the military and naval forces of the
United States and to accept the SER
vices of $4,000 volunteers. The sum of
100000 was appropriated for the
war.
In one of the sections of the bill, it
was provided that the militia might
be compelled to serve a terms not ex-
ceeding six months in any one year.
In another part it was stated that the
volunteers should furnish their own
clothes and, If they happened to be
cavalry. their own horses. They were
to be armed at the expense of the gov
ernment. OF course, an allowance was
made for clothes and each man who
furnished a horse was given 40 cents
a day pay for his animal.
The secretary of war requisitioned
troops from 10 of the States. from
Tennessee. Kentucky, Illinois. Indiana,
Okio, Mississippi. Alabama, Georgia,
Arkansas and Missouri. Both Louisi-
ana and Texas had already furnished
soldiers to General Taylor. The other
States were asked to raise troops and
| hold them in readiness to respond to
the call of the President.
The transportation in those days
was slow and ineffective. The regi.
ments recruited along the Atlantic
coast went South by boat Adequate
transport service was almost nil al
that time and the care of troops or
shipboard was as bad as II could be
The result was that the soldiers were
landed lily prepared for service. Many
dp@ at sea and quite as many more
wG buried on the beaches. It was 3
sorry spectacle-the first conquest OF
Mexico. Not more than 10000 mer
were engaged in service in the frs
year and of this number only 5000
were effective troops. Still with al
the haphazard transportation of troops
and the inadequate equipment ant
organization we won the war. II his
tory repeats itself in Mexico oui
military liberalization is showinl
splendid efficiency for starter
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28

to the works of the enemy, until on
March %, General Scott summoned
the governor of Vera Cruz to sur
render which was refused. Imme-
diately Scott's batteries opened their
destructive fire on the devoted city,
range, sent broadside after broadside
into the castle.
During three days and nights heavy
PaiNhan guns sped their crushing
masses of metal upon the enemy. The
mortars and howitzers vomited forth
their desolating fury. An iron tempest
covered sea and land. Night heighten-
ed the scene. The darkness was
Illuminated by blazing shells filling the
air. The sea cleaned with the
broadsides of the ships. Fired with
the extraordinary skill of schooled
artillerists, the bombs converged upon
the besieged city with a deadly ac-
curacy. The domes of the churches
revererated beneath explosions that
shook the ground, and lighted up the
heavens with fierce glare. The full
power of the military skill of that cay
was exerted to the utmost in a
bonlbardment that had never yet been
equaled in either the eastern or
western world.
Human beings could not long en-
dure that devastating fire. March 26
Stars and Stripes waved from the
bastions of Vera Cruz and the turrets
of San Juan de Ulloa. AS a result OF
his victory, Scott had 5000 prisoners
and 500 pieces of captured artillery
ell this triumph being obtained with
the loss of but six killed and sixty
wounded in the American army.
The Storming of Cerro Gordo Among
the Clouds
Immediately after the fall of Vera
Cruz, General Scott, with 5000 picked
troops, started for the Mexican cap
ital. After passing over sixty miles
OF level country, he reached the as
cending slopes beyond which is the
table land on which the city of Mex
leo stands at an elevation of $500 feet
above the sea level.
On the very crest of these noun
famous activities, amid deep defiles,
Continued on Page 81
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
Local Patriotism

[From the New York Evening Post. !
II felt positively ashamed to-day"
said a woman schoolteacher from an
other State on Flag Day, after. visit
TO numerous Charlotte schools. TN
every room I saw North Carolina flag,
and I must confess I haven't an idea
what my State flag looks like"
The number of things of which the
up date person must be ashamed is
so large that only a strong memory
can hold them. There must be a
shockingly large number OF people in
Philadelphia who do not so much as
know that that city has a flag, to say
nothing of being able to recognize it.
There are probably a million adults in
this city who do not know whether New
York has a flag or not. Parents rely
upon their children to keep them in
formed about such matters, and even
children sometimes forget. 1t is not
every schoolboy in Indiana who re-
minds himself each morning that In
dianapols is the largest inland city in
the country. They do these things bet
ter in Boston. but with the eye turned
mainly upon past glories. No. It must
be admitted that with all our profess
sions of local patriotism we can recall
more separate items about Julius
Caesar than about the dignitary after
whom the newest school building is
named. "Podunk first" is too nearly a.
mere theory, acted upon only in the
case. of private pension and public
buildings bills.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
POLITICS IN SECOND PLACE

NONERNOR BRUMBAUGH has
II much to engage his attention at
this time. He has never been
greatly in sympathy with the politi-
cal maneuvering which has more or
less retarded the activities of his ad-
ministration and the responsibilities
which have come with the calling out
of Pennsylvania troops will still fur
ther put into the background the pure
ly political matters which in time of
peace occupy the thought and energy
of many of those in official life.
1t would be good thing for Pennsyl-
vania at the present time If all poll
tical activities should be subordinated
to the more important phases of pub
lie endeavor.
This State stands high in all con-
structive effort and Governor Brum-
baugh is known to have some admir-
able plans for a still further advance
in the making of a better and more
prosperous Commonwealth. In all this
he will have the sympathy and support
of citizens without regard to political
affiliations.
For instance, the Governor, State
Treasurer Young and Auditor General
Powell comprise the Board of Public
Grounds and Buildings which has TO
do with the great problem of final
treatment Of the Capitol Park zone in
this city This board has already con-
st6ered the matter in its various as
ha f1 nf ho&
gtneers from the State College is nov
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WANTS MEN TO DRILL
he Editor of the Telegraph:

To the Editor of the Telegraph.
You. are all no doubt well aware of
the position that our country is now
in, and it behooves us to always be
ready to serve at the first call for vol
unteers. I am, therefore, taking this
means of putting before you the neces-
sity of being prepared, so as not to
rrolong our going to the front, i. e.,
by waiting for the call and then getting
as you all know, delay means a great
deal in some cases. particularly in a
case of this kind.
Why not let US get together, single
men between the ages of 81 and 40,
say three or four evenings a week, for
drilling and instructions. so by the
time the call for volunteers comes we
will be ready to entrain Immediately?
What say you all?
our brave lads Of our previous wars.
but I am safe in saying that they will
be willing, in fact anxious, to be our
leaders and instructors, and would
offer their services to us.
I am, therefore, asking If some of
our veterans will not call together the
young men as mentioned and have a
meeting, at the same time call on some
of our citizens for brief talk on pre-
paredness, after which we will ask the
men to sign who are willing to volun-
teer their services when called for by
our great leader. Uncle Sam.
There is no doubt in my mind but
what we will have to have very large
hall or theater. as a call of this kind is
waited on by many young man who
is anxious TO serve his country. Ar
offer of hall or theater for this won.
derful meeting will he gladly accepted
Very truly yours,
VOLUNTEER.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
LETS HAVE MORE GINGER
I UNUSUAL weather conditions have
seriously interfered during the

UNUSUAL weather conditions have
seriously Interfered during the
Spring with the outdoor work of
the city. 1t is believed now, however,
that progress may be made along all
lines and that there should be consid-
cradle activity during the rest of the
summer.
City Commissioner Lynch has been
busy in the resurfacing and repairing
of the asphalt streets, having already,
with the aid Of the municipal repair
plant, put down over 1900 yards of
sheet asphalt. Other paving opera
tions are also under way and the sea-
son will show considerable addition to
the paved area of Harrisburg, already
one of the best paved cities in the
United States.
Commissioner Lynch is strongly of
the opinion that the policy of the city
should favor resurfacing OF the paved
streets in some gradual way that will
not impose any heavy burden upon
the people. Cameron and Seventh
streets are in rather poor condition
and there are sections of other streets
which require attention, but the ap-
preparation of this year will hardly
admit of any general resurfacing be-
yond that which has already been
done.
There has been much complaint
growing out of the cutting of newly
paved highways by several of the pub
lie utility corporations and il is
thought that some more drastic leg
islation will be required TO discourage
this sort of damage to the paving. Once
opened it is practically impossible to
restore any paved street to its original
condition.
Commissioner Gross has also been
observing the "watchfuI waiting" pol
icy with respect to the weather, but
there is much to be done in his depart
ment and considerable activity will be
necessary to accomplish what mani
testify should be done, not only along
the river front, but in other parts of
the park system. Riprapping of the
bottom of the river park embankment
and heavy planting of the rest of the
terrace is essential to the preservation
of the slope against future floods.
Much criticism has been heard of
the apparent indifference TO the loca-
ton of the Donate statuary and the
illness of Mayor Meals and Commits
sioner Bowman has been responsible
in some measure for rather delayed
program for the summer. Unless a
lot of ginger is injected into the opera
tions from now on to the end of the
year the record will not be a remark
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
THE COLONEL THEN AND NOW

NOLONEL ROOSEVELTs letter
~ condemning Wilson, endorsing
Hughes and urging all Progress
sives to vote the Republican ticket
this year is wormwood and gall to the
Democrats. Editors of Democratic
newspapers the length and breadth OF
the land are dividing their time be-
tween berating the Colonel and as
suring their readers that "it really
doesn't matter any way"
One writer, comparing the Colonel
Roosevelt OF four years ago with the
Colonel Roosevelt of to-day, makes
himself silly by asserting that then
the Colonel was an American; now he
is a politician" The precise reverse
is true. Four years ago Colonel
Roosevelt was playing politics with the
object of having himself elected Presi-
dent. To-day he is patriotically stand
ing aside to assure the election of a
man he knows will be able to rescue
the government from the slough into
which it has fallen under a weak and
mistaken leadership.
The outstanding feature of the
Democratic newspaper criticism is its
lack of strength and it's evident insin.
cerity. President Wilson was elected
because the Republican party was di-
vided and he is going to be defeated
because the Republican party is re-
united, and that is the sole reason for
the outburst of Democratic feeling
over Roosevelt's declination to be the
catspaw to again pull the Wilsoniar
chestnuts out Of the fire.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28

making survey of the State property
in this city indicates a purpose to i'm
mediately proceed with the important
preliminaries of landscape treatment
which will also involve the widening
of the streets abutting on the Capitol
ground and the remalSing of consider
able portions of the Capitol Park area.
Fortunately for the Commonwealth,
the three men comprising this board
are whole-heartedly in earnest in the
undertaking which will mean so much
for the future of the Capitol and its
environment. What shall be done now
Will involve the whole future design
with respect to the Capitol in its dig
nified setting as the Commonwealth's
chief place of power and influence in
the sisterhood of states.
There is no question about the de-
sirability of widening Walnut, Third
and North streets so that they may be
in harmony with the larger and more
generous environment of the State
House, but in order that the State and
the city may work in harmony it is
Grounds and Buildings to have final
conference with the City Planning
Commission before any definite plan is
adopted.
Other constructive items of the
years program are also being given
attention on Capitol Hill. These in
volve the working out of the welfare
legislation of the last session of the
General Assembly, increased attention
to welfare problems, the making of
permanent system of roads and the
health and forestry activities.
Altogether there is so much outside
of the political arena to invite the at
tcntion of the several officials that the
campaign promises to be rather quiet
and to take a second place in the
thought of the people, especially so
since Pennsylvania is admittedly over
whelmingly in the Republican column.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
7 HISTORY repeats ITSELF" I do not t
II wish to make a chestnut of that !

TTISTORY repeats itself" 1 do not
wish to make a chestnut of that
well-worn phrase, but, since 1t
was used in former number of this
series, developments in regard to the
massacre at CarriZal show that 1t was
a repetition in almost every particular
of the adjustment and slaughter OF
Colonel Thornton'S accommodating
party of 63 dragons which was the
opening chapter of the Mexican war
OF 70 years ago, and which was men,
toned most briefly in the beginning
OF this series. On that occasion, 16
Americans were killed and wounded,
and the remainder taken into cap
tivity. This, and the brutal murder of
Colonel Gross few days later, were
terribly avenged by Taylor and his
troop on the fields of Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and
Buena Vista. But the heaviest meas
ure of the retribution was still to fall
on the Mexican nation.
The Beginning of Winfield Scott's
Triumphal Campaign
General Winfield Scott, the hero of
Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, of the
1912 war, had become commander-in-
CHEF of the American army in 1S41.
AS the Mexican war developed in pro-
portions, he felt that his duty de-
manded that he should personally lead
the armies of our republic. Accord
ingly, November "a, iS46, he started
frcm Washington to take direction of
tho conflict. BY March 1S47 Scott
had 10000 men assembled at the
Island of Lobos for a descent upon
the important seaport of Vera Cruz.
Some of the troops were fresh levies
forwarded from the States; some were
men drawn from General Taylor's
Amy.
Siege and Capture of Vera Cruz and
San Juan dc Ulloa
The fleet bearing SCOTS army ar
rived at Vera Cruz March 9, 1847. The
harbor of Vera Cruz was defended by
the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa con-
si6ered, at that time, one of the
strongest Notifications in the world.
Three days after landing, the Amer
lean forces had completed lines of
decentralization five miles in extent
around the doomed city. Day after
day the trenches were brought closer
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
THE NEW CHAIRMAN

TINE selection of William R. Will
i cox, of New York, as chairman
of the Republican National Com
mittee brings to the service of the
party in the coming campaign a man
ideally fitted by natural qualifications
and by political alignments to render
the maximum OF service. Mr.. Wilcox,
as postmaster of New York and later
as chairman Of the New York State
Public Service Commission. demon
strated his honesty and his ability.
He is a man of energy. enterprise and
originality clear-headed and cour-
ageous. He is close personal friend
of the candidate whose fight he is to
lead and has been out of active politics
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
"Ad" Convention Echoes

The Church must advertise. It is
the only great institution in the world
which does not make use of this mod
ern method of reaching the public.
Banks, the most conservative insti-
tuition outside of the Church, have
learned to advertise with excellent re-
suits. 1t is up to the Church to get
into line.
That, in a nutshell, was the keynote
of the first national conference on
church publicity, held yesterday in
connection with the Associated Adver-
tising Clubs of the World at Philadel-
phia. More than 80 ministers and
publicity experts. including many vis-
itors from other cities. attended the
conference.
Cooperation between newspapers
and advertisers was one of the most
interesting topics discussed by the
newspaper publishers at their confer
ences. A second address was made
there by w. A. Thomson, of New York
city. who gave a summary of what
newspaper cooperation should be, as
indicated by the Investigations he has
made in the Bureau of Advertising of
the American Newspaper Publishers
Association.
That the newspaper, beyond all
question the best local medium for ad-
vertising, is rapidly becoming the best
means for national advertising, was the
assertion of William A. Tomson, a
director of the American Newspaper
Publishers Association. at the Ma
tional Advertisers Conference yester-
day afternoon. The value of the daily
newspaper to the general advertiser
who is anxious to aid the local dealer,
Mr.. Thomson asserted. was becoming
more prominent every year. The rea-
son for the national advertisers adopt
ing the newspaper as medium for a
campaign was be cause he realized that
a general campaign was but a number
of units put together, he added.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
TELEGRAPH PERISCOPE

ALI things comes to those who
wait-even the waiter.
You don't always have to judge a
man by his deeds; his mortgages are
sometimes just as good.
Perhaps Bryan is beginning to
discover that a million men are not a
million soldiers.
The housewife is now learning the
advantages of the Democratic tariff,
with sugar at nine cents a pound.
When that German Uboat arrives
in New York why not treat 1t as the
Uboats treated the Lusitania?
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
OUR ECONOMICAL" CONGRESS

.NUR economical" Congress is CIV
Z NJing us a fine demonstration of that
popular indoor amusement of
straining at gnat after having swal-
lowed a camel. A few weeks ago, with
a great hurrah and much acclaim, Con-
gress passed an appropriation of fifty
million dollars-fifty million, think of
it-for flood protection" work on the
lower Mississippi. In other words, to
provide a campaign fund for Demo-
cratic candidates in the South who
hope to help carry their districts by a
liberal expenditure of pork" in the
way of employment for their con-
stituents.
And now this same Congress is dead
locked over the proposal to pay mill
tiamen entering the United States SER
vice the paltry wage of $50 a month
for dependents.
Fifty million dollars for pork" and
not one penny for soldiers wives and
children.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28

sufficiently of recent years to have es-
capped making enemies of some whose
friendship may count for much in the
coming campaign. He is a student of
public affairs, close observer of ma
tional politics and we'll known through
out the country. His choice is graft
flying and inspires the rank and file
with confidence in the conduct of the
campaign.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-28
Needs of the Navv

[From the st. Louis obe-Democrat.1 ]
1t is proftless to inquire into the
considerations which have moved the
President at this late date to take issue
with the majority of the House COM
mittee on naval affairs and with the
majority of the House itself. His pre-
sent position is correct, and the country
will support him in 1t. The Senate has
usually recognized the needs of the
navy better than the House. and 1t may
provide for even seven capital ships.
With the assistance of the President II
should be easy to get the House to do
its duty.