davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
AIaska's Good Showing.
(Norwich Bul1etih.)

There is nothing surprising in the report which comes to the effect that Alaska has had a record year con- corning it's mining operations and that the total output running up to S32,OOO,OOO far exceeds anything which has taken place before. That Alaska was a land of natural re- sources has been thorouhgly under stood It has long been in need of development and the heavy demands for metals of various kinds, especially copper has given it the chance which it has needed to show what it can do
 While that northern territory has for years been furnishing large amount of goods to this country every year in minerals, fish and lumber 1t has lacked the facilities for the prop CT handling of them The develop ment has been slow and tedious. It has been obliged to worry along the best it could and make as much of a show as it was possible to under the handicaps which existed.
 The treasure land which exists in Alaska has not been awaiting discov- cry for it is already thoroughly known but it has been awaiting the development which always comes with the building of railroads and while the showing that has been made during the past year has not been caused by that, it is plainly evident that a much greater period of pros- perity awaits that section when the government line, already underway, is completed. Even though Alaska has done well this year it hasn't be- gun to show what it can do. It is clearly a land of opportunity and there are many surprises in store for those who keep their eyes on it's year ly growth.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
TIMELY CANCELLATION.

An order requiring second class passengers on transatlantic liners to be taken to Ellis Island for examina- ton has been temporarily cance1ed by the immigration authorities. All of which is a timely removal of an ob- noxious order. Instead of being tenn porary the Immigration Service should make the resembling of this order permanent. The only difference between the second cabin passengers and the first cabin passengers on these great liners, for the most part, is a difference of money and that, in the long run, is no consideration. Some of the most refined people in the world, because of financial cmbarrass ss- ment, must needs take refuge in the second cabin, while any one with the price" can seek the seclusion of the first cabin. Because of the ample appointments in the first and second cabins examination at sea is an easy
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
COLONEL HARVEY PREDICTS.

There is no gainsaying the fact that as prognosticator or political prophet Colonel George Harvey has acquired both fame and respect. He has had fairly good success at this precarious business. So when he comes forth with the statement that Wilson and Root will be the two gentlemen pitted against each other in the presidential campaign in this year of our Lord the Colonel must not be passed by too lightly. His word, while not law, is weighty As to the Wilson end of his prediction there can be hardly a doubt, barring death or unforeseen accident. When it comes to Root, the Colonel has the knotty end of the rope. He is gambling and he knows it. As re- suit, his reputation as a picker of presidential possibilities may suffer He plays safe only when he refuses to come out and say just which one will be the successful candidate.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Vassar's Daisy Chain. (Detroit Free PreSS).

Vassar by vote of it's Senior class, has decided to abolish the daisy chain feature of its commencement exer- cises. The institution is held to be out of harmony with the colleges democratic ideals" and the selection of twenty-four Soph mores for the honor of bearing the chain is con- demned as a beauty contest.
 As Middle West barbarians, most of us probably don't care a hang wheth- CT there is a daisy chain at Vassar or whether all the sweet girl gradu- ates decorate themselves with dande- lions; yet It does seem that the grave and reverend Seniors have rather mis- sed the point in making their pro- test. -....
 If the beauty contest Is the objec- tionable thing, then it is nature and not the daisy chain which fails in democracy. For if nature were not sinfully partial and aristocratic in distributing comeliness there could be no beauty contest, because everybody could be equally attractive-or rather there would be no such thing as beauty. The move for the Vassar girls to make, if they really desire to establish a perfect democracy and perfect equality, is to abolish beauty After doing that they might proceed to equalize mental equipment and do away with all class honors.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Once More the Literacy Test.
(NeW York Sum-

At no time in the nations history has there been less excuse for a liter acy test for immigrants than there is today. The labor supply is already aIarmingly depleted. The prospect of serious shortage is recognized in all parts of the country. The future course of immigration is not known to any man. And yet the effort to exclude honest, competent and indus trious men because of the hardship of their youth is revived in the House of Representatives
 The argument that illiterate aliens make less worthy citizens than those who can read and write, that they cling more tenaciously to loyalty to the lands of their origin, cannot be brought forward. Experience has shown that the ability to read and write does not assure adherence to America, comprehension of her ideals or devotion to her interest. One stock defence of the false theory has been rendered obsolete by the incidents of the last year, and cannot be used against to influence the judgment of this generation.
 Representative Sabath of IllinO OiS has succeeded in eliminating the ex- emptions in favor of Mexicans, Gu bans and Canadians which were part of theoriginal draft of the measure. As it now stands in the committee it provides one rule for all, and thus the objectionable nature of the pro- pOsal is made more obvious. The un- necessary, harsh and i'll judged pro- vision is made all inclusive.N MT. Sabath wisely has forced it to a form i'll which no exceptions offer shelter to it's more timid opponents.
 Three Presidents have vetoed the literacy test. None has had oppor- tunity to veto it twice. That oppor- tunitv may be MT. Wilson's, if the Sixty fourth Congress proves as weak as it's predecessor; and if it comes to him. there should be no doubt that he will improve it.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
"Gagging the Navy:"
New Haven Times-Leader. }

Another big roar against Secretary Daniels. The press satellites of the nlunitiOn makers and others who don't ike the secretary because he's for government armor plants and other economies, never miss chance. This time he's gagging the officers of the navy. Terrible:
 But if any naval officer is gagged and not permitted to express his opinion in speeches or writings, the responsibility is not on Josephus Daniels, secretary of the navy, but on Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.
 The order which has been called a "Gag" and which prevents Admiral Iiske from writing for weekly Taper or making a speech at the Chicago Commercial club was issued January 31, 1902, by Theodore Roose- welt, then president, and was re- peated in a more drastic form on November 26, 1909, by President Will liz m Howard Taft.
 Previous to the issuance of this order, the same result was secured by Articles 1517 and 151S of the United States Navy regulations and instruc- lions for the government officers No
 
 slightest respect has been issued by Secretary Daniels. Thetruth is that in permitting publicity for the recom- n,endations of naval experts, Daniels has been much more liberal than any C1 his predecessors.
 The answer to the charge that officers are gagged is found in the fact that committees of congress may call on any and all these officers from the highest to the lowest for any in formation or expression of opinion that congress, which represents the public, may want.
 What the department will not en- courage and will not permit is ac- tivity by military experts along poh- tical lines such as an officer taking the stump in favor of a policy or starting a debate with the secretary of the navy Or the president on mat ters of policy pertaining to the navy.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26

and the cotton paintings suffered se- verely. From 1910, the export of cot ton grew to a total value of about Sl25,OOO0O0. This advance was made in. spite of the cotton worm and the boil worm, which made considerable ravages, more successfully due to carelessness of the native planters.
 "The best seeds have been distrib- uted to the cotton planters in Egypt, including the celebrated Sea Island variety native to this country. Egyp- tian cotton oils said to be remarkable for the soft quality of it's lint, which, compared with American upland cot ton, makes the latter seem rough and harsh in quality. There is, however, a certain element of patriotism in the Egypttan's appraisement of his lead ing crop. Besides being more silky, and somewhat longer than American cotton-the best hitherto grown in the world, Egyptian cotton mercerises easier; so that it finds a special mar
 ket among manufacturers turning semi-silk and silk-gloss cotton goods. Cheaper neckties, glowing vests, hat Things, and lustrous waist materials were largely made before the war out of the Egyptian product.
 1OWnS, whose unSuDStant1al 1aDrlC seems to dissolve in their diaphanous waves and folds, were largely of weaves of the fibre grown on the Nile. The fibre of most of the cot | ton cultivated in Egypt, however, is | not as long or as strong as American 1 Sea Island cotton, nor does 1t yield 1 so large a crop as American upland 1 cotton, where the latter is properly cultivated. American cotton is white
 where Egyptians are cream colored | or brownish. This, in years wher modes were favorable, brings a muck higher price for the Egyptian cottons 1 The promise of the Nile country as 2
 region for cotton-growing has hardl! | begun it's course of realization. IT 1 rigation may increase it's production
 already important in the world-mar
 ket, many fold, while hundreds O
 thousands of acres in the Soudan ma,
 some not distant day be sown witt
 this crop. The American and thu
 Egyptian crops represent the twt
 main types of cottons of world com l merce."
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
The Danbury Primary.
(BridgepOrt Farmer

The Danbury democratic town cOm- mittee has voted not to call a primary for the decision of the post office ap-
 pointment urMil after the spring cleo ton. This is a wise decision. It will
 prevent an important matter, which
 should be decided on it's merits,
 from becoming an adjunct of larger
 matter which would touch Danbury
 at more points.
 After election the primary for a,
 choice of postmaster may be held, when the selection for the most sat isfactory man will be uppermOst in the minds of the citizens. In the development of the direct primary Danbury Democrats lead the state. They have discovered a sat
 isfactory and harmonious method for making political decisions, which has operated to the very great advantage of the democratic party and the sat
 isfaction of the citizens of Danbury. The decision of the primary will be, in effect, a recOmm endation to Demo-
 cratic National Committeeman Homer S. Cummings and former Congress- man Jeremiah Donovan. They in turn recommend to the president, and
 be to the Senate.
 Since MT. Cummings and MT. Dono- van are in the front rank of demo- cratic progressives, they will regard the decision of the primary as of
 binding authority.
 This is the American way When
 the people by their official oath bound
 b8 8IlOts make a decision the decision
 is binding upon the organization and
 for the locality represented.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Our Young Men.
est. Paul Pioneer Press

est. Paul Pioneer Press)
 Hari Chand of Punjab criticisis our American young men for sitting in the parks with one young woman i'll the right arm and another in the left, and talking love babble."
 What land this India. Has it no park seats, and no girls to love?
 Chand is twenty-six years old, a graduate of a Midwest university and now is completing in a Beloit, Wis, factory, his preparation to Do an electrical engineer. And he's go- ing back to India, where he says the young men sit at the feet of philosophers and religious leaders and discuss the theories of life.
 Hari Chand is envious, that's all He dosen't want to return to India though he has been absent five years
 Those same young men who, he says waste their time, on superficial ties by talking love babble, somehow, in America, always turn out right Everyone. in America at least, goes through the love babble stage These same fellows who have been decorat- ing park benches either arm draped attentive1y about a girl, and signing for more arms and more girls, be- come financiers and governors and now and then presidents.
 There was an India, it seems, aeons before America was dreamed. And how far has India got. though it has heen sitting at the feet of wise mon down the centuries? The comparison is not good for the land.
 In progress as nation and in Fl the things that go to make ways ahead of Hari Chand's country. though we began only in 1776. The country Chand criticises is pursuing it's ideals so rapidly his old, old eyes fail to catch the glimmer of its gleam.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Centirrade.
Waterbury Democrat )

The United States weather bureau is trying to arouse general interest in the use of the centrigrade thermo- meter to replace the Fahrenheit. There is every reason why the centi- grade system should have the prefer ence. The Fahrenheit therm ometer sets the freezing point at 32 degreess and the boiling point at PIP. There may once have been some esoteric scientific reason for this, but to the common mind these points are simply confusing, and the zero point doesn't seem to mark anything in particular. On the centrigrade instrument zero is the freezing point. 100 degrees the boiling. This Is simple and logical. Also a decimal system is easier to work with them any other, as Is proved by the case with which our money is reckoned and the trouble we have with inches, ounces, scruples and gallons. Habit may make people resist the innovation at first, but those who install the centigrade ther- m om eters will soon find the change justified.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Just a Butterfly.
(New Haven Unfon.)

Dispatches from Chicago inform US that Miss Vivian O'Gara, a veal thy society girl, declares she is tired of the steady round of tame social af- fairs and is bored with endless recep- tions and dances, therefore the time she formerly has spent in the draw ingroom she will devote now to horse back riding and other outdoor sports.
 Another case of a social butterfly without intelligence enough to see that 1T she would turn to something of service to others, even routine would not bore her. Evidently Miss O'Gara fits from one pleasure to an other like thousands of her kind al- ways bored dissatisfied, and wonder ing why. What she needs Is employ ment which will render real service of the unselfish sort. It takes no for tune teller to see that.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26

forth to awaken the public con- science. MT. Bryan with all his ora tcrical powers would have a fine time trying to combat a safe and sane pre- sentation of facts anent the national defense. There is no use talking, the United States is like the boy who has outgrown his first pair of pants. He must be refitted. The nation has overgrown its first line of defense. It is child in swaddling clothes no longer. With all the nations in the world armed to the teeth, there Is no use letting our own Uncle Samuel go about with a pop gun on his shoulder He must have new outfit.
 Whatever thoughts we might have possessed on our securedness two years ago must be alterably changed now. The European war has brought about new conditions, things never be-. fore dreamed of, dangers no one sensed It would be foolish not to take these things into consideration, childish to go our way unprepared while dangers turk in the off1ng' Wolves in the forests are no respecters of human rights. It is all very well to cream of the millenium, to wish that all on earth would be peace and good will; but when such is not the case it is rather ticklish to lay aside all arms and surrender to fate. The war Tn Europe may soon be over, and then again 1t may be prolonged And after that war, what? Where will the United States find itself? What is going to happen? Probably nothing; but then again probably something, and, in the latter event, it will be we'll to be on the safe side. Reason able military preparedness IS the thing. It will be interesting to fol- low President Wilson's line Of arsu- ments in his appeal to the c1tlzens ol the nation He wants to reach ail parties. It is a national problem lha' confronts the nation and one that oe- longs to no particular section or party.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
A Poets Vision.

Christian Science Monitor.)
 Sidney Lanier, the poet of the new South, both in his verse and in his letters, disclosed the thinker on prob lems of society in general and of the United States in particular. Like the New England singers of the Whittier-Lowell type, whom he fol- lowed in point of time, he had q civic as we'll as an aesthetic con- science leading him to utter him self on contemporary issues and to prophecy. Hence 1t Is not surprising now to find. at a time when the southern states ares counting their gains from diversified crops harvest- ed this year, that he based all hope of ultimate renewal of the Southss former rank, as a political and cul- tural factor in the nation, on a revo- lution in agricultural economy such as now is under way. He long ago challenged the rule of King Cotton,h and preached reliance on many rather than on one staple product.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
OVER AND ABOVE PARTY LINES

When William Jennings Bryan re- bounced his proposed trip through the country following the footsteps of
 President Wilson did he have in mind Ihe futility of augmentation against plan that must inevitably be brought No perfection if the nation is to sur Five? Did MT. Bryan know that be- aause of present day conditions the 2eop1e of this country are willing to Sisten to the man in the White House Svhen he would speak to them in a Rational and sane manner on a subject hat is very near and very dear to &hcir hearts? To be sure he did HAnd, further, he knew in his mind of &ninds that President Wilson is not &oing out on the warpath as a ra bid bingoist, nor as 8 partisan politician but as the chief executive of a nation Zhat has done the Gulliver act slept RwhiIe the lilliputians bound it hand
 And foot, that the President is going
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Views on all sides of timely questions as discussed in ex- changes that come to the Herald Office.
Hasten Slowly.
(NeW Haven Register. )

(New Haven Register)
 In momentary lulls of the din of those who are shouting for and those who are shouting against that fetich
 preparedness rises the voice of him who counsels hasten slowly What man can understand this war-its present state, its progress? What man can know, at this time, it's outcome ?, what man can say what shall be after it?. In what physical state, in what mental state will it leave the nations :? These arc questions which many are rocking, to answer, but their answers are as fOolshness. "
 Until some of these questions sare answered, how can a nation such as >ours decide on a sane policy? A sane policy, surely, we must lhave. The course we take must be reasonable. It, must be a considered course It 5h Ould be one which we shall have no cause to regret, from which we shall not need to retreat. Amid our con- fusion as to actual conditions we may
 be reasonably sure of one thing; no nation or nations are in any condition, Or will be in any condition for at least three years, to menace us. The need for frenzied haste exists only in fren- zied minds. To these we ought not to listen.
 Obviously, there is another reason why we should not listen to the con- fusing voices. This is the year when we elect president of this great country, and a more momentous e1ec- ticn we have faced seldom in our his tory. But many of the voices we hear ;,re those of political self-interest not O., patriotism or thoughtful states manship. Let the din die down. Let the election pass. Then, perhaps, we can get opportunity for clear view and calm thinking. Until then, the best counsel is for conservative ac- ton.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Shell Contract Famine.
(Toronto Telegram. )

A shell contract famine is a rapidly approaching menace to the indus cure, if any, to the uttermost detail of the problem. The cause is not far to seek.
 Factories will soon be closing down for lack of shell contracts.
 Workmen will soon be on the street because they cannot find employm ent, unless Britain places new shell con- tracts in this country.
 If factories have to close down, and of workmen are thrown on the street, a condition of idle shell factories and
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
RAILROAD PURCHASED.
c. M. and St. Paul Pays Five Million
 for 100 Mile Line.

Spokane, Wash, Jan. 26.-The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad has purchased under fore closure proceedings for approximatsr ly $5,00O,000 the Washington ana Idaho Northern railway, which operates 100 miles of road between Spokane and Metaline Falls, Washs it was announced here today.
 The sale, held at Spirit Lake, Idaho. was ordered by the United States dis- trict court of Idaho to cover the first and second mortgage bond issues, practically all of which were held by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26

To illustrator: There are a number of officers of the navy who, have been working for the establishme ment of a general staff for the control of the navy. By this means, it is claimed, these military experts would lessen the civilian influence over the navy and bring that institution more com pletely under their own control. To this end officers would like to make speeches before influential political bodies or write for publications.
 This will not be allowed by any ad- r1inistratiOn.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
Oakey's Ga sis.
 D-;r{~ D-N--

Congressman P. Davis Oakley is getting into deeper water when he offers to cooperate with the schem- CTS who are trying to touch Uncle Sam for the New Britain canal That canal promises to be the last ditch for more than one ambitious poli- tician's reputation, and Congressman Oakley is no better swimmer than the others. If he wishes to serve Connecticut well he must keep out of the mud in that and similar plans to dig into the U. s. treasury.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
VOW STERNBURG DEAD.

Berlin, Jan. 26, by Wireless to Say ville.-James Alexander Speck Von Sternburg, brother Of the late Baron Speck Won Sternburg, German am. bassador at Washington, is dead at the age of 60. One of Herr Vdn Sternburgs sons was killed on the French front early in the war. and a1other is a prisoner in France.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
15O,OOO CARNATIONS.

St. Louis, Jan. 26.-More than 15o,ooo carnations were on display at a down town hotel here today in con nection with the meeting of the American Carnation society, which began a two days session with car, nation growers from all parts of the country attending.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26
). MCMILLAN r4g-Qof-2O3 MAIN STREET

unemployed munition workers can be readily traced to it's cause.
 The cause may be sub-divided into two causes.
 Lack of size in Sir Robert Bor- den's premiership.
 2-Lack of size in Sir Sam Hughes shell committed.
New Britain herald., 1916-01-26

matter, whereas the same does not hold true for the steerage. Because of crowded conditions there Ellis Island must perforce be brought into use. But for the second cabin passengers, no!