davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
THE RACING SHIPYARDS

THE shipyards of the world are pitted
L against the German submarine. Even
gigantic military operations are secondary
to this contest. Experts have testified
that with proper organizing skill and ad-
ministration of resources the Allies, with
the United States and the neutrals, can
build sufficient vessels fast enough to re-
place four-fifths of the average amount
of shipping lost monthly by U-boats.
The burden of this undertaking falls
on us. Between 1912 and 1916 the output
of our shipyards increased fourfold. But
the expansion now demanded-and ac-
cording to the Shipping Board entirely
possible-shames these figures. 1t is now
estimated that we can produce wooden
merchantmen at the rate of two and a
half million tons year.
Throwing the might of our inventive
ness and skill into this field, we can
not only nullify the menace of Teuton
submarines against civilization, but we
can provide ourselves with almost the
only equipment for war that will serve
us for the great trade of peace.
Nearly two thousand years ago when
ruthless. sea-ravaging Carthage was the
Germany of her day, republican Rome
faced the same problem that confronts us
now. In the year 260 B. c. she met the
crisis by building 100 ships within sixty
days from the time the trees were felled.
The new sea power made Scipio's VIC
possible a half century LATER 1t
will make ours certain.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
SPRING

AMIDST all the confusion OF this busy
"A April 1t is no wonder that great
many OF us completely forgot to hail
the advent OF the merry springtime. An
ever-rising pile of still.to obe-appreciated
lyrics is a reminder that the season of
poetic rapture is upon us. though winter
fingers. The evening promenader who
strolls parkwayward is arrested, II not by
the chill air, at least by the formidable
electric writing on the darkened City Hall
Your Country Needs You"--an6 some
thing terrible and practical and relent,
less, something far off. yet very near,
dashes from his thoughts the call of gal
liant fancy and reviving green.
But humor and love and laughter do
not vanish with war. This spring is to
be enjoyed as much as any other. though
perhaps only the children will enjoy II
with unclouded gayety. Even SO, that
is enough. We fight for them. When
grown to mans estate they must be
able TO boast an proud a heritage OF
self-sacrifice and courage as that which
two eenerations OF us. their elders, have
r|e ~ value without having n
-1.1 u 4. q n Y 49,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Answers to Yesterdays Quiz

1. Bread -and- butter" warfare is an econoMls
warfare. In which food and other supplies
play an important part.
=. General s Gsorse w. .Goethals will superyiss
the building OF several thousand wooden
ships that are intended to transport cup
plies from America to the ALLIES. hs
built the Panama Canal.
3. The four divisions Of time in the United
states are eastern, central. mountain ~
one hour earlier than the preceding.
4. Osiris was the ancient Egyptian sod Of the
sun; Isis was his wife.
8. Jefferson City Is the capital Of Missouri.
@. The evening star now is Mercury. which 10
In the west at sunset.
!. European countries not at war are SwitSer-
land. sweden. Norway, Holland. Den.
mark. Spain and Greece.
public Of the West"
D. Teams Of the American Baseball League
are located In New York. Chicago. Phila-
delphia, Boston, st. Louis, Cleveland. Do
trOlt and Washington.
10. The population Of the Virgin Islands Is est.
mated at about "a. 900 persons. OF whon
about 10 per cent are white.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Tom Days Column
THE VILLAGE POET


Whenever us a Saturday an all mv 'oorN
Is through
PH hare TO fee from Chestnut street,
since all this ne,os Is ncY,
An look around my garden for some
useful ,oork to do.
They tell me Hs a ordnder thing, tchcn
all Is said an done,
To raise a tohite potato than Colonel
81;
An those ,oho'ue often seen me, upon oc-
castor, look
For wisdtrected sinkers IN a waterway
or brook
Assure me that the feeling phtch the
garden farmer kno,cs
In conten plating budding sprouts IN beet
an onion ro,cs
Is thru Of Joyous rapture that no sport
on earth can shotc--
SO 7 guess TH chuck my brdssie an begin
TO use the hoe.
Thcy maybe know their business an the
things thcy talk about,
Bnt, mind. I'm not belicuing all the gu6
they're handing out;
For tceH I kno,o the "Jarming thrill" can
nerer hold a candle
To that ,ohtch 7 hare. kno,on to Jump
along mn driper's handle
When right upon It's bloomin' nose T're
smashed the bounding ball
An sent It 1ohissing oucr rough an creek
an helIendIl-
But noD my country calls me an Trc
simpW GOT to 30,
SO 7 guess PH chuck mn brdssic an begin
to use the hoe
Whenever IT'S a Saturday an all ny lcork
Is through
III hare TO fee from Chestnut street,
since all this netrs Is ne,c,
An look around my garden for some
useful ,corb TO do.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Naval Flags

]. G.-There are several kinds of flags In
addition to the signal flags, in use in the
navy. The national emblem, of course 10
flown by all United States ships, as Is the
Union Jack, which is the blue, white-starred
union of the national flag. 1t is flown from
the stern. When the President Is on board
ship his standard, blue flag with the coat
Similarly distinctive flags are displayed Tor
the Secretary Of the Navy, blue. with four
white stars and an anchor; admiral blue
with four white stars; rear admiral, senior
blue, with two white stars; rear admiral
second in rank, red. with two white stars
and rear admiral, junior. white, with two
blue stars. -"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR
ENGLAND

EORTUNATELY in his last poem, THE
i Choice" Rudyard Kipling is speaking
for himsslf-not for England. In view OF
this writer's former period of brilliant
inspiration, Americans can well afford to
be charitable to a man whose genius has
waned in inverse ratio TO his seif-com-
placency
In his verses that condescendingly re-
gard us as a repentant sinner recovering
the road lost "in the drugged and doubt
ing years." Mr.. Kipling may think that he
is voicing the true spirit of Britain, but
this would only show that the author OF
"Mandalay" has not kept pace with the
times.
Rudyard Kipling is not good enough
for England today
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
ALL SOCIALISTS SUFERAGIsTs

10 the Editor OF the Erening Ledger: 9.
sir-I reply to d. N c. Brooks letter
correcting her statements referring to so.
cialism wish to say few words:
FIRST. All Socialists are suffraglsts, but
all Republicans or Democrats are not.
Second. At the present time the Soc,a,,s,
party or the United States, in convention
IN st. Louis, is voting on whether thew
should as body show their patriotism and
uphold our principles and ideals and also 10
ioree men to respect law, as every Socialist
y, america Is peace-loving and law -abd-
ing eitizen When man disrespects law
lie is no longer Socialist, as the Socialist
party advocates the curing Of all ills of the
present system by political action and not
by lawess direct action
Ihird. Socialism is against preparedness
~ H. tnhe OF peace, as 1t encourages war, as
mas been shown with Germany.
EDMUND VANDERGRIFT.
Philadelphia, April TO- ~
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

Some of our young men who should
be interested solely in their patriotic duty
are inclined to levity One writes:
Noticed the following today on banners
hung at the various entrances to our
beloved City Hall: U. S. S. Kansas If
you want to fight join her before night /"
Another argument for stay at home
with wife? and sez another: II thought
I'd enlist, but l find I'm needed at home"
A sign on the City Hall calls upon me
to "enlist now for the war only in the
courtyard
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

10 save is Of the 60 million bushels Of
grain required annually TO make beer and
whisky obviously suggests the fear and
forsstalling Of "waf prohibition; but
doubtless the liquor men would not OPP
pose even that IL the safety OF the coun-
try demanded It. Nor will the Prohibi-
tionists. IL they are wise. try to win too
cheap a victory by an easy appeal to
patriotism. II will do neither side any
good to lie about the facts. The sole
issue is the scientific determination Of
what rules are best to produce victory.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
What Do You Know?
QUIZ

I. Explain the recent "war zone" edict By u
United States Government. -.
2. How many volunteers are needed to bring
the National Guard and regular army y
war strength2 ~
3. What naval officer IA in active command d
the United states navy?
4. What Is called the Gibraltar Of Americss
8. Is 1t correct to say, "He don't care:
9. What American naval hero was author u
the famous declaration, 1--WE haven't
begun to hght":
:. What Is the Shakespeare-Bacon contrs-
versy? a
y. To what new position has Herbert C.
Hoover been appointed and who IL hes
D. Name the capital of Nebraska. aH
10. Name the champion heavyweight pusilist II
the world, 'N
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
COMMERCIALIzED PATRIOTISM
TO the Editor Of the Epeniuo =,

INC Hd'tor of the Epening Ledger:
sr-To avoid much unpleasantness and
bitterness during the present conditions tbs
director of Public Safety should be ureed
10 regulate the indscriminate playing OF fhs
star Spangled Banner"
The national anthem is not a Commercial,
proposition, and should not be used 40 any
more than the flag The cafes, motion. .r,c'
ture houses. hotels. theatres and such nlace.
should not be permitted to stir up question.
able enthusiasm by its constant use n n
vulgar, low, base commerclalism in many
Twice during dinner the other evening did
.ns !.S, orcnestra at one Of our cafes play the
star spangieu Banner" Everybody aross
during the first playing. but upon its SECOND
pleying' an hour later. several one-steps snS
fox-tsots having beer. .intersperscd for nv
sssIk s 1 g @s sf'sR'2y:a 2 : s,g,z,c:nsss :: \
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

What is good FOR Englishmen to
read won't hurt Americans. Just to be
on the safe side and avoid suspicion, it
would be well for the British Government
% lift the ban which prevents the arrival
- German newspapers and English paci.
ast magazines In this country.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

The report that poor tables d'hote
viii be feature Of food economy plans
indicates that at least one established
feature of American life will be un.
changed by the conflict.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Our unfamiliaritv with The heu

Our unfamiliarity with the bewil-
dering array of obscure villages figuring
daily in news from the western front
eught not necessarily make us discount
the importance Of the Allies military
novements. The Rubicon wasn't much
of river until Caesar crossed it.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Carriers Law

s. l.. K.-A trolley car conductor may
eject passenger who does not have his
fare. While the conductor may trust
passenger for the money. he does so at ms
own discretion, and is not legally required
to do So In case he believes the passengef
to be honest, he may pay the fare him
self and arrange for the passenger to reim-
burse him later. &
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
WOMEN AND WAR
To the Editor Of the Evening Ledoe,

Sir-1 want to stand by my country.
hut ! cannot vote for war" All honor.
praise and glory be given to jeanette
Rankin, of Montana, who saw the light
and voted as her conscience dictated. How
different from the headlines which fiji one's
heart with grief and which say, Women
prepare for war;! If you went to learn
now long the war will last read "Short
Rations" KATHERINE, {
Philadelphia, April IL.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Another member

Another member Of the desperate
&omanom gang has been landed in the
eeliroom de luxe at Tsarskoe-Selo. Duke"
poris falling into the police dragnet this
time. But the police will still have their
hands full after the last of these is
rounded up. for. as last resort to stem
m tide Of the rising revolution. the
komanoffs opened every Jail in Russia.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
British sailors, with capbant

britisn sailors, with capbands
marked H. M. s. Devonshire" ap-
peared on the streets leading from the
navy yard promptly upon the raising
cf the blockade" All winter and all of
two preceding winters the cruisers have
eeen prowling of our coast in the frost
and sleet, spying for German ships that
might put to Sea. Now the American
eat has caught the mice and the Brit
aehers' vigil is ended. Our navy patrols
the coast from Canada to Panama. and
the British tar has chance to set
foot on Mother Earth again. The allied
oquadrons will be free now to reinforce
che nAvies that make the North Sea and
fhe Mediterranean no safe places for a
IGrman hull.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
THE VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE
A Suggestion That Rich Young
Men Enlist Women and
War-Commercialized
Patriotism

tCtsh 10 CTpresS their opinions on SubRctS Of
cureW interest. II is an open forum, and the
EccHtnN LedDer assumes no responsibility for
the rtcUS of its CORES spondentS. Letters must
be signed by the name and address Of the
wrtter. not necessdrily for publication. but as a
guarantee Of good faith.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

English humor is Joke" in Amer
Ia. but 1t would be difficult to equal in
keen. subtle irony Premier Lloyd Georges
remark: The Kaiser promised that
Prussia would be a democracy after the
war. think he is right"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

peace feelers are being launched
BY Germany" we are informed. They
win not arouse sympathetic feelings IL
they wear periscopes.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

WE HAVE a corner in our garden
where early bluebells show when the
autumn leaves are brushed away. They
were in evidence yesterday. when little
visitor from the brick walled city streets
came to call upon us. He saw them at
once who's dead?" said he.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
PrecOciOus

Mr.. Ingram is not yet thirty-one. He
entered the office of the late President
Voorhees, as Office boy in July, 1892
Mr.. Voorhees, being vice president at
the time. Morn. Contemp.
Boy. take your bib off and toddle into
the president with this.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

On the score Of silence, King Con
stantine Of Greece goes Nicholas Ro
manor one better.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

Not Friday. the 18th, but Sunday,
the 18th. when another big cut is to be
made in daily rstions, is the "hoodoo' day
for Germany.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

Charles e. Hughes's tribute to
Wilson's war message clinches the ERA
ef good feeling" with respect to every
thing except Germany.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

Brazil will arm merchant ships.
We know where that business leads to.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Mother GOOsesteps

Tin the March Of the H. C. L.)
Ride cock horse to Banberry Cross
To see Uhat t,co bits can buy
A penny aohite loaf. a penny iohite cake
And tuppennv apple pie.
w. UP.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

We wasted nearly the whole of yester-
day afternoon writing reply to Kipling' S
flivver We made it too strong for
publication.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

The notion that the average man
Npnld hesitate to enlist because the SIS a
gonth . privare receives is so much less
fhan his present salary is not borne out
N tn facts abroad. Thousands of msn
no we're content to take the Kings shill-
~ n France In preference to good wages
home nevertheless sought the highest
RGss they could get when sent back. to
1VTa thar country in Industrial work.
- poeson II obvious: The man who
tq fpr service far from home takes
61antsd that his family win not be
n14 whereas, II he serves his coun.
hane while living with his family,
cV1s1cn Il made for those dependent
M II = Qave injustice to assail
n1c)yos q industrials who demand q
XHDD h wartime. II b essential
~ whom We expect to turn out
1oE1als swiftly and sxpertly should
>npcrs4 by the pressure Of
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

The Senators at Washington who
are said to be wary of new alliances
should understand that we are living in
. world-not a hemisphere.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

All the high school boys in Chicago
more than 16-will be released from
school duties next Monday. provided
they go to work on the farms and truck
gardens of Cook County.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

Take the ~" from Vimy and see
what won that famous ridge.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
WHAT COUNTS

There mag not be much IN the things that
you sdy--ifs the Ucay that you say
them;
The Kind OF the games that you play
doesn't count. us the 1coy that you
play them.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

In palace or cottage. IN office or ditch or
aohererer you're lcorking,
The test of pour manhood is dnsrcrinq
this, Are you striring or Shirking'
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

THE HORNS of a dilemma flank us.
William Rose Beaet, by reason of the
accented final "e" in his name (which
would show here If we had 'em in the
magazine or pibox), presumably knows
how to pronounce simple French words.
On the other horn, William, is a poet
whose music never slips a cog. Yet in
a poem of his in "Reedy's Mirror" we find
this stanza:
He analyzed a garbage heaps aromas
With rare delight.
Weak wild young men, and roues In coma s.
Gave appetite
And we had to pronounce that word
"row-youees" or halt the meter.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

And Chicago's Congressman voted for
the bill excluding iIliterate immigrants
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
WILSON WANTS
A GRANT OF POWER
Congress Hesitates When Asked
to Transform the President
Into a War Dictator


WASHINGTON, April H.
DREsrDENT WILSON is rushing his war
plans. The week just ending has seethed
! and sizzled with war excitement. From
forwarding estimates Of war expenditures
already in excess Of $4,000 100000 the
President put up to Congress his S7,oOo'-
100000 loan bill. which, at the per capita
rate, is charge Of $40 upon every man.
woman and child in the United States The
President did not have smooth sailing with
his loan proposition, nor is he having It
with his conscription proposal, although
both political parties are inclined to ham,
per him in his war plans as little as possible.
Early In the week the rights of Congress
were briefly discussed on the floor. The
word "abdicate" was used on one or two
occasions rs If Congress understood its
prerogative and wished to be consulted
The discussion had a wholesome effect AT
the White House evidently, since leading
members of the Ways and Means Commit
tee and of the Military Affairs Committee
were subsequently invited into consultation
by the President and the Secretary OF the
Treasury. Mr. McAdoo.
Trying to Harmonize
It was evident that the Administration
believed 1t to be of prime Importance to
obtain unanimous action on all war meas
ures If it could be secured Mr. McAdoo
requested conferences with certain kepub-
lcan members OF the Ways and Means
Committee, and the President even went
so far as to call upon Speaker Clark and
the Democratic leader, Mr.. kitchin, whom
the gentleman from Alabama. Mr. Hefin,
had proposed to read out of the party be-
cause he could not conscientously vote for
the original war resolution. The result or
all these conferences was to bring about
a better understanding with respect to GER
tain things the Administration proposes to
do. While many points of discussion were
cleared up. some were not, although the
general disposition was to give the Presi-
dent the authority he sought and let him
go ahead. Everybody realized, whether
called into conference or not, that Mr.. Will
son was about to have conferred upon him
the widest authority ever given to an Amer
lean President, and was about to assume,
perhaps, the greatest responsibility ever
undertaken by any leader in the history
of the world
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
Plans to Strike Hard

II was evident throughout the confer
ences judging from what can be learned
of them, that the Administration was re-
luctant for reasons of State and of war
to unfold all its plans Or to detail specifical-
ly its conversations with the foreign
Powers it proposes to assist in the war
have taken place and that the hopes Of
nations like Russia, France. England and
Italy have been raised to u high pitch may
be conceded. What the President wanted
was to be able to proceed in his own way
without restrictions that might interfere
with early and hard hitting On the part
of the Allies. or any one of them, or on
the part of the United States. To go into
details at this time, it was explained, would
not be wise and might be dangerous. What
was asked of Congress was that it have
confidence in the President very much as
the people had expressed confidence in him
at the election last November. The Presi-
dent and the Secretary of the Treasury
were advised that the country was be-
ginning to understand its own RESPONSE
bility with respect TO these foreign transac-
tons and that the seriousness of it all
might give play to an adverse sentiment
unless all parties in authority were quickly
brought together, At the same time. it was
believed that the Administration had gone
so far in its informal assurances to the
representatives of the Entente Allies as to
make a seeming hesitation on the part of
Congress disastrous.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

OUR HUcKsTER ia very busy these
days, but he still has time to gossip while
he's making change. "rhese poor fel-
iers that's goin' into the war now" he
said to the Missus. won't get anything
out of It when it's over; only the rich
people win. ] was talkin' to veterinary
q thf Civil War an hs said you give an
'sg Z =; & I! ysn Y. rsc'e : - pota,a'
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

And Life at the best only 0ires back again
to you that 1chich you 1ire it,;
SO high-Hte or lo,c-life means nothing at
dH--it's the Tdy that you ire 1t.
NARLEY
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14

For variety. writes Hugh Merr, the
Atlantic City Press has 'em ali lashed to
the mast. Its twelve-page issue of April
IL was dated April 2. IL and ~. when
the makeup went day-day."