davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
Inundated to the Dust

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Can you not find some means Of reg
istering the protest Of us Americans who
sit about our breakfast tables, Inundated to
the dust az the terrible. criminal expediency
and immortality Of this note OF President
Wilson's, sent 20 every nation in the world
Must we sit in silence, tears falling, and
do nothing, overcome by the knowledge that
not two months ago this Mr.. Wilson was
given the right to speak as he judged best
by the majority Of the people Of these United
States7
Could you not arrange 70 open headquar-
ters in every city and town in the Union,
where those OF us, be VIC few or many. who
grasp the high moral import Of this war and
are ready to stand for the right can go, IL
need be, many miles to register our sigma
lures as a protest 20 such vile cxpediency7
MARY ELIZABETH MCRACKEN PURDY.
Brooklyn. Dec. q, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
Drinking by the Card

Though Sweden is generally reckoned a
pioneer in the successful public control OF
alcoholic beverages, the results have not
been so encouraging as some enthusiasts
had hoped. 1t was pointed out in the elao-
crate report published by the Swedish
Medical Society four years ago that though
the national drink bill per head of the
population was only one-third Of Italy's,
i would be an error to estimate the harm
done by such comparisons, and examples
were given to show the fallacy Of attempt
ing to measure reform in this way.
In the last two or three years new
system of control has been on trial, and
the results achieved so far seem to show
that it is superior to any hitherto put IN
force in that country. It was devised and
elaborated by DR.. Brate and was original
" denounced or laughed at as fantastic
and absurd. It consists briefly in the al
lowancs Of limited quantity of alcohol to
every drinker, the rations being checked off
on card. A report on the results in 1914
and 1915 has lately been published and Is,
upon the whole, encouraging.
Under an earlier system in 1913 the
number Of litres of alcoholic beverages con-
sumed in Stockholm amounted to 1886 a
head. In 1915 this was reduced to $50.
The fall in spirits was from 1904 in 1913
TO ~ in 1915. The decline in drunkenness
is estimated at about Sc per cent, and in
one police district police offences, so called
were reduced by 50 per cent. The re-
ports received from hospitals were equally
encouraging; thus the number Of cases Of
delirium trenens fell from 623 to 362, and
Of chronic alcoholism from 400 to 173.
In spite therefore. of opposition and
ridicule Stockholm has wisely decided to
experiment further with system which
so far seems to have worked very well.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
Poor Los Progress

IRON The Washington Posi-
Twenty thousand Indians have learned 20
read and write the English language in the
last four years. There are now $4,000. or 80
per cent of the total, who can use English
More than 10000 Indians have discarded the
native dress and adopted the white mans
costume.
The income of the Indians from various
sources is now more than s2s.o00,o00, an in
crease of 100000 in four years. They own
S3O,0o0.0O0 worth Of live stock and are Guilt
waiting 67S,527 acres Of land. There are $4,000
actual farmers, an increase of 1000 in the
last three years.
Living conditions are better among the In
dams. They are gradually turning away
from the medicine man when in need Of
medical attention. and as a consequence the
death rate has fallen from 80 per 1000 in
1918 to little more than % per 1000 in
1916 The death rate from tuberculosis has
been reduced 10 per cent. Better sanitary
conditions have reduced the death rate OF
children. In 1914 there we're 1891 deaths Of
children under 3 years of age, and in 1916
there were only 1903 deaths.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
OF Good Will

4 terrible and merciless censor Of
human failings observed many years ago
that we had just enough religion to make
US hate, but not enough to make us love
one another. All men are uneasily con-
scious of this evident truth and the in
consistency Of Christian professions and
the worlds practice troubled the minds
of the divines and orators called upon to
provide timely and edifying discourses on
Christmas Day.
There was an obvious opportunity for
the censorious TO berate our boosted prog
ress, and it was not missed; nor did those
who felt obliged to put on the cheerful
front supposed TO be appropriate at this
festive season fail TO find in recent events
enough encouragement TO reiterate with
renewed fervor the hymn Of the heavenly
host at the Nativity.
Commonplace reflections prevailed, Of
course, and many were the bitter or sor-
rowful comments on the promise Of peace
on earth. Some, even Of those who were
lOptlNl VI du OuJWdAh ptdNt' NNNAN W
discover the possibility of a full realiza-
ton of the divine message, and in the con-
ceit of one ingenious cartoonist Peace on
Earth and Good Will Toward Men ap-
peared as two separate symbolical figures:
Peace, a woman with pair of useless
wings, and Good viii, trudging YEARLY
beside her supported by staff. Europe
is blazing behind them, and the title is
The Outcasts?'
The translators of the Authorized Yer
sion are doubtless responsible for a slight
misunderstanding, in which the less ITO
plan lovers Of peace may possibly find
some consolation for human shortcomings.
And on earth peace, good will toward
men," they make it. But Tyndale's YER
sion is better: "And in earth peace be to
men of good will" Or, as the Revised Yer
sion has it: peace among men in whom
he is well pleased" The difference is per-
haps slight but it affords sufficient oc-
casion at least for speculations on the
question of who are and who are not men
of good will.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
DR.. Hollweg Outdone

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: On a first reading Of the Presidents
peace note three things are apparent:
First-That the note is calculated to graf
fly the German government and to embsr-
rass the Allied governments.
Second-That for this purpose it is in
geniously timed. As the note is dated on
Monday. the day before Mr.. Lloyd George S
announcement was made in the House OF
Commons, IL is possible for the President 20
ignore the statement made by the British
Prime Minister in harmony with the other
Allied governments demanding full restitu-
ton. complete reparation and effective guar
antee. As the note is published after Mr..
Lloyd Georges speech it will produce the
impression that the President considers the
Allied statement OF their demands made
quste.
Third-Thst the form Of the note shows
that the President has adhered 20 the doc
trine Of his neutrality proclamation at the
beginning OF the war; as between the
despoiler. Of Belgium and the defenders OF
Belgium, he is neutral in opinion. He is able
to say: Each side desires to make the
rights and privileges Of weak peoples and
small states as secure against aggression or
denial in the future as the rights and priv
ileges OF the great and powerful states now
a. war" have not observed that even the
German Chancellor has gone as far as that
STEPHEN II. OLIN.
Nov York Dec 81 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26

from an individual actually take PRIDE IN
getting the bette Of a corporation?
Why will a man who would walk back
half q mile 10 return five cents which some
salesman has enormously given him IN
making change hire a lawyer to raise an
already skyrockety appraisement placed
upon piece Of property Of his which the
city is trying 20 acquire?
Why is it that enc whose honesty in gen
oral ia beyond question will borrow book
or an umbrella from his best friend and
never think OF returning il? Why will one
whose accuracy keeps his bank account bal
arced TO a penny he absolutely unreliable
when il comes 10 keeping golf score?
Why will people whose reputation for truth
telling is golden lie outrageously 20 the
doctor? WHY. on the other hand, will one
whose general course Of life is crooked
Rave two or three Incorporating points
Of honor on which he outmorals the NOR
alist? 4 very suggestive fact in Mr.. Moi
fett's investigation is the percentage OF
persons of questionable reputation for hon
csty who returned tie dollar-three out OF
five. a proportion equal to that Of the rest.
Is it true that one VINO is dishonest in
one thing is dishonest in all? Or is the
average man honest in spots? Is honesty
an abstract thing which may be applied
equally to all, or is it something subjective,
idiosyncratic, depending to some extent on
education. convention and habit? Certain
il is that congratulations about the percent
age Of honest men do not go TO the heart of
the question of the trustworthiness OF hu-
man nature. 4 better test is, as Mr.. Moi
felt suggests. the great, complex fabric Of
our common life. If honesty did not pre-
vail overwhelmingly over rascality the So
cial mechanism could not run for day.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
An Honesty Test

Every one doubtless has his own opinion,
based upon his personal experience or
theory Of life, as to the proportion of hon
est men to rogues among mankind in gen
eral Mr.. Cleveland Moffett has tried TO
attain the semblance at least Of impersonal
scientific accuracy by conducting an inves-
tigation Of the average honesty of human
nature, the results of which are published
in "McClure's Magazine" Mr.. Mofetts
disclosures would at first sight appear to
be rather dscouraging 1t seems that one
hundred representative persons were Sc
lected. TO each Of whom a one dollar bill
was sent inclosed in letter apparently
misdirected Sixty-three returned the
money. Thirty-seven obviously considered
the dollar a gift from Santa Claus.
But does such test really prove that
humanity is only about so per cent honest?
Does it not rather show that honesty is
like greatness-some are born honest, some
achieve it, some have honesty thrust upon
them? In other words, some men are hon
est by nature, some as a matter Of princi-
pie and some only from policy. May not
the idea in the title of Mr.. Moffett's arti-
Gle. lis Honesty the Best Policy" itself
explain the failure of some Of the thirty
seven TO return the money. People who
are generally honest, but from policy
rather than from any deeper conviction,
might easily persuade themselves that a
few minor exceptions 10 the general policy
do not specially if there seems 10
be small likelihood of getting caught.
Undoubtedly many of those whose delin-
ouency brought the cost of Mr.. Moffetts
experiment up 10 $40 would be perfectly
horrifed if anybody should hint that they
we're thieves. Conscience has various little
blind spots" which seem often perfectly
consistent with self-respect. Why, for in
stance, will man whose scrupulousness in
other respects is positively painful 20 to
sleep with a peaceful conscience after Civ
ing the assessor a false tax list2 Why
will one who would want to. fight you If
YOU questioned his honor or patriotism
think it a great joke if he succeeds in
violating the game laws or in getting by
the custom house officers with some arti-
Gle on which he rught 10 pay duty? Why
DO many people who would not steal pin
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
The First Bottles

From The Sofezrnc Ar1eriean
Who made the first bottle bas never been
determined but the necessity for some
means Of Transporting liquids, OF which water
was undoubtedly the first to be considered,
must have existed from the beginning Of the
human race, and it is generally considered
probable that the first receptacle for this
purpose was made from the skin Of an ami
NAL. This was removed with as little mutt
lation as possible, and all the unavoidable
openings were carefully sewn up. leaving q
single leg for filing or emptying, which was
tied up with a cord.
These we know were used ages ago by
many primitive peoples, and have since been
employed extensively in many parts Of the
world, and even to-day they may be seen in
use in some Oriental countries. IL was this
kind OF a bottle that was referred TO in the
Bible in the much-quoted dctum relating to
putting new wine into old bottles. The OBJ
lection TO this procedure was that the skin
Of an old bottle has become fully stretched
and weakened by use, and if new wine was
put into 1t the pressure OF the gases gen
Grated by the continued fermentation Of the
wine would burst the bottle.
II is a generally accepted fact that glass
making and glass bottles originated among
the Egyptians, although at what date no one
has presumed to state. Even in Egypt, how
ever, the art Of glass making in its early
history appears 70 have been confined 10 GER
tain localities, and was not prsctised at all
widely
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
Comforts for British Aviator'
tor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune. r
Sir: The appeal which | made as'
on behalf of our aviators through Wv
helpful medium Of your widely reao Is
was so very successful that ! am 49,,
TO seek again the hospitality OF your WV
for fresh appeal. -, Ran
| am collecting on behalf OF %. ~,
Naval Air Service Comforts Fund -. =.
already dispatched over $4,000 eO"'' ...,
various kinds during the last wv 4.
Owing 20 the unavoidable delay lnv'r
the registration OF this fund, when a.,
registered under the war charities ~
appeal for winter comforts IS alIesD' s-,a
belsted. and both comforts ana ,He rr
wherewith they may be purchaser
gently needed. u,S.r.
Checks crossed London, City snS -,i.
Bank. l29 New Bond Street, shouie " Ms
payable 10 the honorable treasure. n.
Sueter. Parcels containing any OF ..,,,y
lowing comforts: Mufiers, Balaeia's n'. -,
sweaters. cardigans. mittens, gloves % az,
will be most gratefully received oy any ~.
following members Of the commit'ee' v.
Sueter, The Howe. Wellington, vA'c o,,,or.;
Henry Balfour, Hesdington mn, ~. M
Mrs. Groves. Two Gables, Beacohsne Se..
J. D. MackwOrth, - York Terrace ISs
Mrs. Samson. . Montague Square L ~. a.
All the articles mentioned wiz :, az
ception Of the socks, which may DC ,,,t
COLOR should be either dark blue "
colored x-,,s ~
May take this opportunity OF GERM ss',SI
hearty thanks 10 all who nave ,or ~
helped during the last year. ana a.'' .,,rss
numbers of most gratifying ie''ei'i ,,,,rsf
ing the greatest sympathy with ana .ls
de- ire, to acknowledge very gratefully
great kindness OF Mir. Stewart ms ss,ss
the Cunard Steamship Company IA ~, n
who has hitherto forwarded any pal.. u,
dressed to me free OF charge ,en,,s
liable concession. hplih %, oxisr
Langley Lodge, Hesdington NIL
Dee. 1. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
He That Taketh the Sword

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Both parties in this terrible strife
want 20 end il, and want il TO end in a lastir &
peace. What is not yet Gear is that both
parties are convinced that there is a better
way to reach this common goal than con-
tinued fighting, that neither party can rea-
sonably expect TO gain so complete a victory
as TO be able TO dictate 10 the other the
terms of peace. II is not yet clear that both
parties in this strife are convinced that,
whichever may gain decisive victory in the
end, the victor will be scarcely better off
than the vanquished; that both will confess 70
the truth Of those words "He that taketh
the sword shall perish py the sword" IL is
not clear that both parties in this desper-
ate struggle are willing to leave in allegiance
the question Of moral responsibility for the
war, and all judgments on each others
conduct during the war, and consequently
all questions of indemnities, reparation and
assurances of the future exacted from each
other. 7 have indicated what il seems TO
me are the necessary preliminaries OF any
POSSIBLE peace negotiations. | am persuaded
that unless there exists or shall come TO
exist this state Of mind negotiations for
peace will be futile II begun at all. Nor do
| see how it is possible seriously to propose
entering upon them. J. E. r.
New York Dec. IS, 1918.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26
ECONOMY, NOT EXPLOITATION
Must Be Basis for Fusion in Municipal
Campaign
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: As one who actively supported the
fusion ticket in the municipal campaign Of
1913 read with special interest the news
article in your issue OF the 18th inst. under
the caption 'Fusion Chiefs Pick Mitchell to
Run in 1917"
No one will seriously deny that in 1918 the
consideration which, above all others, nfu-
enced Independents. including many thou
sands of the Democratic faith, to espouse the
fusion cause was the desire for an admin
istration absolutely non-partisan in charsc-
ter. bedrocked upon the principles OF eff
cheney, economy and integrity.
Neither can the fact be disputed that no
fusion effort can hope to succeed in 1917
that does not invite, much less deserve, the
support Of those Independents and Of those
Democrats who. in municipal government
prefer efficiency and economy to party ex-
ploitation.
Is IT possible that the independents and
Democrats who supported the fusion ticker
in 1913 were utterly mistaken in their oellei
that il represented bipartisan movement
Or as an alternative is it possible that the
fusion campaign OF 1917 is to be controlled
bv "chiefs" whose primary concern u VIII DC
to nominate candidates known in advance to
h. favorably disposed toward the policy OF
strengthening the local Republican machine
al the municipality's hence the public's
expense?
In that article the information is author
tatiyely" given that, with the exception OF
e RI
~. every fusion city, county and borough
officer elected in 1918 and still in once Is
to be renominated next year by the fusion
chiefs"
As to Register Hopper you make the posi-
tive assertion that he will not be renomi-
rated" simply because he els alleged not only
TO have turned his back on the Independence
League. but to have thrown out every Repub-
lican who was in his office when he became
Register
In other words, the imperial mandate has
gone forth from the fusion chiefs" OF the
coming municipal campaign that Register
Hopper is to be denied a denomination, not
because of his ineficiency or extravaganza
neither il charged against him-but solely
by virtue Of the fact that he did not execute
to the Republican machine power of attor-
ney to appoint his subordinates.
Under these circumstances, let me venture
the prediction for the benefit of these fusion
chiefs as well as for the benefit OF your
Republican informant in the article quoted
that, although the Republicans may be will
ing 20 contribute 20 per cent of the fusion
vote" in order that they may get nearly 100
per cent of the Offices, their msgnsnmous
contribution will have been made in vain in
the next municipal campaign.
A SOOTHSAYER.
New York, Dec 49, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-26

Presiden, Wilson has just had converse
ton with Journalists, which first the press
reproduced In parts and later In full IN
doubtcdly the intention Of the President vas
70 strengthen the moral peace OF his country
by categorical affirmation Of neutrality.
But this affirmation has, IL appears, carried
him away further than was necessary. Neu-
trality and skepticism are not synonymous.
The ties that bind "a to the Americans are
too deep that we need make use OF byways
on their behalf When the President says;
"The present quarrel does not concern u.s.
no states fact When he adds: This ques-
ton has involved so far those engaged IN It
that they cannot maintain themselves Vitnlh
the lists OF responsibility he IS Unfair
toward the nations who, in this quarrel. de
fend against an odious aggression the written
right and the natural right. When he con
Guides ar the rest OF the world has be-
come insane. why not refuse to have anything
10 do with the rest Of the world" he ohends
the free nations who struggle for their lib
erty. their dignity and their existence.
II is all right TO be neutral. But it is not
sufficient. Neutrality represents a total
amount Of international obligations II does
not exhaust the Calls OF Individual anu ma
tional consciousness. It seemed NJ certain
times that the Pope disregarded this truth,
and il grieved many French hearts. 1t hurts
usEand VIC need not conceal it--tnat the
elected head Of the American democracy
should be inspired with the same dilettant-
ism and refuse TO proclaim the right for
which the best OF his fellow citizens have
boldly declared themselves in favor.
NJ Utleop hat Ue heinC
ried away beyond the ordinary limits OF re-
sponsibility. We are, on the contrary, con-
WINGED that when Belgium preferred the hor-
rors OF invasion 10 the breaking Of her word,
when France defended her invaded frontiers,
when Russia fought for the existence Of
Serbia-we arc deeply convinced that these
powers acted in. full knowledge of the most
sacred responsibility, and that the right that
they proclaim goes hand in hand with their
duty.
The President, We know. may plead the old
Monroe Doctrine in its narrowest form, which
is. on his part, an afectation of disdsinful
indifference in regard to European policy.
But a nation Of eighty millions of people
cannot retire at will into an ivory tower.
The European war is the biggest duel Of
ideas OF the last twenty centuries. Two
morals two life conceptions. are opposed.
One can be neutral politically. One cannot
De neutral morally. One must make a choice.
The choice Of the American elect is made, and