davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
The Conference OF City legislators

Through the agency Of the non.
partisan conference of lawmakers
from this town, assembled by Mayor
mitchell, New York city has profitcd
substantially in the present Legisla-
ture. The members have been able
by cooperation and mutual under
standing to prevent the enactment Of
a number Of undesirable bills, to
modify or eliminate unfair provisions
in other measures, and generally to
protect the municipal interest In a
manner unprecedented in the expe-
rlence Of recent years.
It's practicability having been es-
tablished and Its usefulness proved,
this conference should become a fix.
ture In the political engine by which
we are governed. The mere fact Of
It's existence operates to restrain those
who see in New York only a rich field
for pickings; It's potency for good
will increase with years. and by
means Of 1t we may hope for Il
| marked alteration for the better In
the relations between the rural and
| the urban legislators.
The conference Of city legislators
Is an excellent weapon for city de-
| fence. and it should not he allowed
to disappear.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
criticism and reproach. As n source

criticism and reproach. As n source
from which spring weird dreams and
unbearable nightmares mince pie has
always held a place by itself. That
It's popularity has been steadily In
creasing for many years past proves
either that the American people as n
whole are fond of terrifying visions
in their sleep or enjoy taking long
chances against dreamless slumber.
In connection with Mrs. BESSIE c.
BLACKS $4,000 mince pic nightmare
q pertinent and interesting query
arises: Can 1t he possible that a
certain world renowned explorer and
naturalist carries canned mince pic
into the wilds with him when he sets
forth to come upon hitherto unknown
rivers and birds? II he does not. his
growing fame as n discoverer has
been won at too high Il price. In
fact. 1t should he wholly unnecessary
to undergo perils In Brazil or Trini-
dad in search OF geographical or
pathological novelties when a mid
night snack at Oyster BAY composed
wholly of high power ~ centimeter
mincc pic would enable the faunal
naturalist to see things never before
observed by man. Mince pie hath
it's victories no less renowned than
jungle travel, and much less expen'
sive to the professional d%iscoverer.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
A Visitors Opinion Of the Present
GOuging System In New York.

To THE EpIToR OF TIE SuS-Sir: As
an annual visitor Tor many Years ia
the theatrical attractions IN New Work.
may ] he permitted 10 observe that never
before has the ticket scandal been 81
~blatantly active, IL the abuse hcrotn-
fore has been sub rosa II Is now IN
supreme command.
The box office man Is almost SURPRISED
that seek for good seats IN person,
but will sometimes yord"Srcul to direct
you to the places where good seats may
he had.
In three Instances where Was told
at the box office that nothing nearer
than the seventeenth row could he had
the ticket Spectator ~ IN" hotel found
upon telephoning the same huN ol,i' =
that there We're three good seats IN tn,
fourth row. evidently overlooked at my
visit.
This ahusc only tNpitlcs tho iuordruat,
greed that has seized the whole thcttri.
cal situation, Surely whatever lcgisla.
tion has been lcycll'd a. this abuse Nj.
missed fire. Il, \. W.
NEW YORK, April !.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

Dr. BRANDER MATTHEWS will be
shocked at the action Of the House of
Representatives on Saturday in unani-
mously recommending the restoration
of the letter "k" to the word Merri-
mack. The river and harbOr bill
had eliminated the seemingly SUI
perfluous letter from the name of n
stream dear to the hearts of all New
E%nglanders, hut that love OF American
traditions. that determination tn pre-
serve from vandalism everything that
recalls our glorious national past
which always nctuatcs the lower
house of Congress brought well de-
served disaster to those iconoclas,s
who would save printers ink at the
expense of the romantic flavor that
cmanates from 81 many of our native
geographical names.
There will be scofers and doubters.
of course, who will maintain that by
putting the "k" back into Merrimack
IN April Fools day the House of
Representatives was merely playing n
Joke al the expense of pr. MATTHEWS
and other phonetic spoilers. ana had
no intention Of making an apparently
popular letter of the alphabet SYM
bOlic of n patriotic conservatism upon
the part of the House embracing is
sues Of a much larger scope than are
covered by a mere detail of orthog-
raphy. Nevertheless. a healthy opti-
mism. a spirit to he carefully cult
waited at present, leads IN tn" con
clusion that once. AT least. This SOS
sion our Congressman have found
themselves unanimously in II praise
worthy attitude toward the sentiment
tai strain In the American people.
our national Legislators intend tn
prevent anybody, native American.
h~yphenated American or foreigner,
from destroying any idol dear To- our
people, whether that idol Lee n silent
letter. a basic principle of democracy
or n fundamental feature of interna-
tional law.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
The Bethlehem steel Company ia
the United states Government.

In It's effort to protect the S7.1OO.N 900
Investment Of It's stockholders i'm its
armor plant against ruinOus compe-
tition by the Government of the
United States, the Bethlehem Steel
Company has made the subjoined
proposal:
1--WE now offer to reduce ne price of
armor plate for the United states from
$+s5 to 1895 a ton.
"rhe price paid ~now--S425 a TOMS
less than that paid by any great naval
Power.
"lt is said that il our offer is ac-
copied, and the Government plant not
built, the price OF will soon begin
soaring
THAT there is no danger of any such
contingency. and as an earnest of our
policy
" viii agree To make armor at the
reduced price named for Al least five
years or
I'VE will agree for an indefinite period
to make arrnor at any price which the
Federal Trade Commission may name as
fair"
The only excuse for putting Sill
OO.OOO in a Government owned armor
factory is. found in the allegation that
the private manufacturers have
charged AN excessive price for their
product. The determination of n fair
price Is admittedly difficult; the
Bethlehem company declares that the
S425 n ton paid by tho United States
Is less than the price paid by any
great naval Power, and offers 10 re-.
duce this by $40. Moreover. the com
pany agrees TO make nrmOr for an
indefinit" period at any price the Fed.
eral Trade Commission declares is
fair. Under all these circumstances
what r"nson can hC put forward at
this time for the expenditure Of tho
taxpayers money contemplated by
tho bill now before the Representa-
tives In Congress-?
Surely no more liberal and e1u,ta,
Die contract than that offered by tho
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
In the Interest Of Absolute Fairness.

President WILSON expressed a con-
fdent assumption in the terms Of
ascertained fact when he wrote the
other day to the majority leader Of
the House Of Representatives, II
know we will want to be absolutely
fair to the railroads." Congress Is
now provided with an urgent oppOr.
tunity TO prove itself worthy of the
Presidential trust by Fastening to
pass the resolution which has been
pending for many weeks and provide
q prompt investigation of the work.
ings of railroad regulation.
1t was the Presidents supposition,
avowed by himself, that Congress
would put this resolution through 'at
the first opportunity" The occasion
for swift action is supplied by the
issues which have been joined be-
tween the railroads and one-fifth of
their employees. organized In pow
erful unions. These unions have
made a demand for a further increase
Of wages in the guise Of a demand
for n shorter working day. The car
riers have made counter proposals,
and n controversy has been precipi-
tated from which the public Is sure
to suffer unless an intelligent settle
ment Is effected.
Here Is where Congress might very
well step in. The resolution TO in.
vestigate railroad conditions could
be amended to include an inquiry
into the question Of railroad wages.
or perhaps even better, as auxiliary
to the general inquiry. Congress might
forthwith require the Interstate Com
merce Commission To investigate at
once and report upon the situation
which the railway labor unions have
already created.
The relation between railroad
freight and passenger rates and the
wages paid to the railroad employees
u a. pi'I'I suUJtCt LOT governmental
examination and consideration. Wages
absorb to-day As per cent. Of the
gross earnings of the railways. Shorter
hours and more pay to the employees
mean that less transportation service
Will he produced or that It will cost
more. The public pays the hill in the
end because II pays the charges for
transportation out of which railroad
employees are compensated.
Since the railroad labor unions have
chosen to put their eight hour day OF
Increased wage demand on n nation,
wide basis, and have So made il an
Interstate matter. the Interstate Com,
merce Commission could with singu
lar appropriateness be instructed to
report on the pr%acticnbility Of con
tinucl regulation Of railroad rates
without regulation Of wages.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
BUYING OPERA TICKETS.
Always the Spectators Tan supply
Those Who Long for Music.

To THE EDITOR OF TIVE SuS-Sr: The
days best laugh" Vas when ". read
in THE T. Of Mrs. Goodwin with the
help of other sleu,hS causing the ar
rest of ticket spectators in front Of the
Metropolitan opera House IN this the
last week OF III" opera season. After
my numerous failures to obtain tickets
at III box office | have always been
invited to buy good seats for any per-
Torrance" by a rrowd of hungry looking
individuals who made no secret of their
having plenty of good seats TO sell, al A
big advance over box office rates. AN
a member OF tn" Opera club, and have
often heard members say tina, the opera
in New York is run for the beucht II
the very rich, and for the pront of the
ticket spectators.
| had some money given to me Christ
mas to be spent for opera tickets, and
needless To say, ! still have IT,. max
have to hold this cash untl Oscar Ham
merstc!n gets another chance.
ANNE =. NORTH.
NEW YORK, April I.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
DynsmiCs Of MInce Pie.

A pie manufacturing company has
been sued for damages by Mrs. BESSIE
c. BLACK. and the outcome of the suit
will be awaited impntiently by all
makers and of mince pie.
1t is alleged by the plaintiff that after
eating II piece of mince pie purchased
from the defendants she dreamed
that the German Crown Prince had
captured Paris, she saw Emperor
WILLIAM single handed make a pris-
ncr Of General JoffRE, while cannon
to right of her, cnnnon to left of her,
vollcyod and numbered. and Turkish
soldiers seemed Ia rush at her with
drawn scmitnrs. Mrs. BLACK as
s"rts that the physical and mental
suffering caused by her nightmare Is
worth $lO,taD In damages.
The American mlncc pie, whether
hand made or manufactured, has
never been wholly free from public
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

mcnt OF the public trusts placed In my
hands.
The presumption shown In attempting
to purchase Brumbaugh votes with sal
aries paid by the state Of Pennsylvania is
probably wi,hou, precedent; In American
politics.
desire to inform you that I Will not
take such orders. ! will not cndeavor 10
persuade or inveisle prominent men In my
district into making tho declarations i
have been asked to procure. that these
declarations may be circulated. rs hal
been alleged. at the States expense
through the States publicity channels.
1nasmuch as you are tho recognized
personal and political adviser Of Governor
~Brumbaugh. and as such must be acting
tions. I have this day forwarded to the
Governor my resignation. a COPY OF which
I enclose. Very truly yours.
CHARLES JOHNSON.
Insurance Commissioner
As Governor Brumbaugh Ia a candi-
date for President upon a primary pref
erential declaration for him. and as SEN
ator Penrose Is asking that delegates be
elected unpledged to any candidate &c
that they may be wholly free to serve
the best interests OF the nation. this
hell to pay business will v a
marked influence In the selection OF dele.
gates. have yet to fnd any ono who
believes that Brumbaugh will gain a sin.
gle delegate by II or that Penross will
lose a single point in the game.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
Clocks.

II stands IN its place in the hail,
\ piece OF The far long ago,
Mahogany, dIgniicd, tail,
The sun, moon and seasons to show.
It's music II mellow aud SLOW,
W" bark to It's pompous tick took
The trandfather's timcpicce "" know
Ru; where ~ he irandrnathcr's clock"
FRAY. did she escape from the ihrall,
Escape from the years siiiest blow?
DID time stand so still al her call
Twas useless to measure tho dow?
Perhaps In her glory and glow
She made Of the tyrant "A mock,
In vain do We curious grow,
But where II the Grandmothor's clock?
or did she lik" womcnfolk all
sweep, mother AMI bake, scrub aud sew
To reckon tn" minutes would gali,
Was this then the sum of her woe
\ task when The -un would set low,
\ task NJ the crow of the cock"
The pendulum swings TO and fro.
but whore Is Tho ,;laIdmothrr's clock-
Time. answer from under tn. pail
And kindly the riddle unlock:
The Grana futher stands by the wall.
But where y the 0randmother's clock
0cLASDSuRCn WILSON.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
An Orator Who spoke Too Long.

When SOPHIA SMITH of Hatfield
founded the college In Massachusetts
that hears her name, she planned, and
planned well. To Civ" American girls
"mcans and facilities for education
equal To those which are offered in
our colleges for young men,"
What would this pioneer Of book
learning for American womcn have
said could she have heard President
MARION IE Roy BURTON of her col,
lcgr, after announcing tn" recently
effected Standardization" Of Wclles.
ley, Vassar, Mount HolyOke and
Smith colleges, report In the same nd
dress to tho alumnD OXOnian sneers ut
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
THE NEW DENTAL SCHOOL.
II Marks the Growth II q New Con-
crptiOn Of the Dentists Profession.

To TIE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir, The
announcement in THE l. about a
week ago Of the establishment of a new
dental college in this city under the
auspices of Columbia University requires
more than casual attention.
The layman may not realize that for
eighty years dentistry has been taught
in colleges existing AZ separate units,
without connection with medical insti-
buttons. AS a result the mouth as IA
source OF disease has been in large part
lost sight of. and dentistry has -four
ished rs a mainly mechanical profess
sion, priding Itself more ~ artistic work
than health giving and health preserv-
ing work, No crcatcr step forward
could he taken than to harmonize the
medical and dental courses and give
men in both professions more than a
smatterinG Of knowledge ~ the others
work, ideals and accomplishments.
May the success Of the institution be
as great as its usefulness promises to
be- \ READER.
NEW YORK, April I.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

To 1ur E.pirnR OF Tur sunni. While
dressing this morning | found my mind all
of u sudden turning 20 the motto on tho seal
Of the United states Treasury Department.
Don't know why. I had no reason for
thinking Of the matter or of anything even
remotely connected with the Treasury or
It's much desired product. ] remember
when, nearly ha'f n century ago. was
studying Latin ! hrst noticed the aforesaid
motto and dopcd out the interpretation.
You may therefore imagine my intense
| surprise on opening the editorial page of
my morning favori,e. THE Sun. TO IND an
inquiry h'aring on this motto. don't
| know the gentleman who made the inquiry,
never heard of him, nor DO ] know the MIR.
ogden to whom no refers: wa. not aware
that such u person existed. have a kind
of faint recollection OF hearing Of the place
where Mr., ogden appears to bo domi,ied
yes, oyster Ray seems to bring memories
of rivers % doubt, slouch hats. specta,loa.
blg noisc. g.. Hut I never was there: don I
know any OF the parties whom I mention,
30 | must admit that y creepy feeling came
DER me- when ! read the letter OF Mr..
Burchell.
o Sus, why did I think Of this blamed
| motto on this particular morning? WAS IL
iolcpsthy" II ! am occultcd to such a do
srcr NJ prescience that ] can predicate Tup
SrN's editorial rage why then all the great
| mind readers OF history can so plumb ia
oyster Hay,
Don't run away with the notion that this
inquiry Ia In honor 81 the Hrst day OF April:
the fact was an actual occurrence,
JEAN J. AVsAiLLs.
Naw YoaK, April I.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
RAILROAD WAGES.
should the Public Know the E>act
Incomes Of the Disconnected Men,

To THE EpiroR OF THE SuN-Su. The
controversy over demands OF the union
railroad men has continued some time
has apparently got nov here -
TIL" railroad men are as riostut and
the railroad management as impotcut.
dealing in seueralit.os, as in the be-
ginning.
II Is time the union men learned there
IL another way 10 improve living con-
ditions besides by raising wages. and
that Is by resisting the demands ~
those who supply them with the uecas-
%sdries, comforts and luXuri.s az their
living. They are incapable OF reason
ing as they have not the economic edu-
cation. and but a limited means Of OH
tainlns and no inclination for the In
formation. And the agents representing
them In the controversy are but little
better situated and less inclined in that
respect.
The management OF the railroads can
eliminate Il great deal OF the support
the men have IN their demands. that Is
the sympathy uf the public. by publish
ing the payroll Of each ~ the discou-
tented men IN the widely circulated
dailies in the towns where the men
live. showing the total each man re-
ceived In 1915 and in detail for Jan
uary. February and March, 1916, ana
the approximate amount each would
have received II their present demands
had been in force.
II is the duty OF the railroads to re-
sist the demands. and the duty of in
,%estors. shippers and the public gem
orally to support them in that course.
Rates should not be raised and the
railroads should not be harasscd and
mulcted rs they are. They should re-
sist ever to emulatinc Sanson's last
feat OF pushing down the pillars Of the
temple. When the limit of "A sane wage
scale has been passed. arrogant, uu-
reasonable demands for further increase
viii eventually result in a severe re-
action. :,
prIksKI. Tenn. April
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
ON THE BORROWING OF IF.
Certain Thoughts on the POetical Use
fulnpsS Of the Subiunctlve.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN--Sir: The
~subjunctive mood Is part of the poets
stock in trade. Both the title and idea
of 'lf' are rampdnt on the pages OF our
best anthclosics From SWinburne's III
Love We're What the Rose Is" down to
May Riley Smiths If" II embraces all
sorts and conditions of poems. From
II All the Land We're Apple Pie down
to IF | Should Die Tonight" il is the
one touch If grammar that makes the
whole poet world kin
Shakespeare realized this when he
said much virtue IN IT,. Rcbccca Of
Sunuybrook Farm felt IT when she he
walled the sad subjunctiye.' No.
kipling mo hc called a plaGlarist.
hut perhaps the tr!te use ~ "if' as a
theme il a custom now more honnrcd
IN the breach than in the Observance.
CAROLYN WELLS.
RAILWAY. y. J, ADrIl |.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

Bethlehem Steel Company could be
drafted. 1t would nut the price Of
armor absolutely within the control
Of the Government itself; the custo.
mer. through an agency Of its own
creation. would fix the sum to he
paid and the maker binds itself to
accept that price "for an indefinite
period" In the presence OF this pro-
posal. what serious argument can be
advanced In behalf Of the grea,
.JosEpHus's socialistic scheme?
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

England took gamely enough the
laugh on her which the Moewe's APP
pam exploit invited; II she is grim
against ERNST SCHILLER. the pirate
captor OF the Matoppo. 1t is because
the joke has gone far enough. But
could not Britannia make a "horrible
example OF ERNST. who has a holder
imagination than the (recently) more
famous %ScHiLLER's. somewhere short of
the breath stopping moose? But II his
name is really CLARENCE REGINALD
'HupsoN-well!
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

American educational institutions, for
dilettnnteism. lack Of accuracy and
serious purpose and habit of sham
and shirk?
We imagine that she would have
interrupted DIR. MARION LIZ Roy
BURTON at about that point In his
grafton at which he declared his "ab-
solute and utter" unwillingness to be
president Of any college exposed to
such criticism from Oxford.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
DR.. SAVAGE ON THE WAR.
A Concise and Explicit Expression Of
His Opinions.

To II EDITOR or THE SrS-Sir: I
should like 10 put or record In the paper
| read every day tho feeling of our
Americans as TO the attitude OF our coun-
try toward the present world situation.
Three continents are at war over the
most vital question that could ever be
IN for settlement. On the issue turns
the question as to whether or not there
Is hereafter TO be a place on this planet
for "A free man.
Its right decision is as important to
us as II is 10 either England or France.
And yet we have not uttered one syllable
to show whether we are on the side Of
God or the devil.
on such a question neutrality is
treason to right and humanity. | am
ashamed Of my country. What shall We
say after the war? VI. j. SAVAGE.
CLEVELAND, Ohio. April |.