davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
THE VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE
Comment on the Attitude of
Newspapers Toward Army
Selection-Reserve Corps
EnlistmentS
ROOSEVELT AND CONSCRIPTION

To the Editor OF the EUening Ledger.
Sir-One of the powerful bulwarks of
free people is a free press. For years the
newspapers of this nation have been IN con-
sonance with the people and have been
trusted. But don't you think that the press
has rather forfeited some of that supreme
confidence now? Let me cite several in
stances where / believe the people felt that
the whole truth has not been told to them.
! favor conscription. / believe that il is
national necessity in time of war. The
newspapers almost without exception
favored such measures to insure an army
and to Kill slackersm. Which was right.
But one of the arguments favorable to con-
scription. in fact the main argument used.
was that II required at least one year to
train an army, and that the selective sys-
tenn would mean the highest type of men
brought to the highest point of intensive
military training. II was also argued that
to send volunteers unframed to the trenches
meant murder on huge scale; meant a
wanton slaughter of the helpless and the
absence of a sporting chance agarns, n
seasoned and trained foe.
Conscription has become legislative
enactment. And then what happens? Some
OF the newspapers that howed the loudest
against the volunteer system as wanton
slaughter and massacre in mass are now
calmly yelling that Roosevelt should be
allowed to take division of men. not even
young, into the trenches They want tbis
country to send an army at once desnita
the argument that it means slaughter: that
1t means wanton massacre. Now, how do
you suppose the people feel when thew
realize that either the arguments against
the volunteer system were lies or else that
they were deliberately fooled by the nress
IN regard to the merits of conscription and
the demerits of the volunteer plan of rais-
ing an army?
II tho press, which has already lost Soma
caste with the people. does not treat the
people more fairly 1t will soon lose the trust
or the masses, and that means woe for the
people and ruin for the press The time has
arrived when the editors of this country
should seek a little introspection J., M
Media, Pa, May O.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
CLEARING DECKS FOR ACTION

HNHE reasonableness and patriotic in
l. telligence of the draft bill compromise
are only marred by the inexcusable DELAY
in reaching it. Nearly fortnight has
been lost in obstructionary wrangling
The time wasted cannot be entirely re-
gained, but happily the Houses surrender
of the forty-year maximum age limit will
make the work of registration much
speedier than if that feature had been re-
tanned. Neither the army leaders nor the
general public can justly object to the
conscription age now fixed at from twen-
ty-one to thirty-one.
The military authorities can have young
men as they have desired, but unfran-
chised boys unable to register their views
on national policy are rightly exempt
from service. The age limits as now
agreed on will permit the selection of
sturdy adults who have had sufficient
time to establish business connections, so
that their dependents need not be i'm
poverished when the war call comes
A total of 100000 men will now be
compelled to register. With such a uuan-
tity to choose from. the material for our
new army should be Of the very highest
grade. Even should exemptions for phys
ical reasons or the demand for all kinds
of labor cut this figure in half. the poten-
tial army Of 100000 would then be very
nearly equal to the full man-power Of
France.
Americans, patriotic and humane, who
know that each day less Of war means the
saving of thousands of lives, behold at
last the decks being cleared for action.
The Government. which has chafed over
political obstacles, will now be enabled to
execute its plans with expertness and
dispatch. hs "a
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Censorship

G. II. K,-The proposed news censorship
Is provided for in a section which reads a.
follows: During any national emergencyr.
sulting from war in which the UnltN
states is party. or from imminence OF sucn
war, the publication, willfully and wlthom
proper authority, of any information ~
lating to the national defense that is or may
be useful to the enemy is hereby prohlbtedi
and the President is hereby authorized 70
declare by proclamation the existence
such national emergency and Is hereby av
thorized from time to time by procamatca
to declare the character of such informatoaa
which is or may be useful to the enemy; ana
In any prosecution hereunder the jury tr.'
ing the case shall determine not ony
whether the defendant or defendants da
willfully and without proper authority prr
lish the information relating to the nationai
defense as set out in the indictment but aS
whether such information was of such char
acter as to be useful to the enemy. Prv
vided: That nothing in this section snan
be construed to limit or restrict any dr
cussion, comment or criticism upon any ia9
or any of the acts or policies of the Govern
ment or its representatives or the publisr
ing of the same. Whoever violates thefoie
going provision shall upon convicum
thereof, be punished by a fine of not mov
than $4,000 or by Imprisonment OF u"
more than ten years, or both"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
RUSSIA-AMERJCA

A wind in the world The dark doro
Inc chains now rust that crushad
flesh and bones. men S
rect tread no more the mildewed nr,son
And slavery is lifted from your be,r,s
A wind In the world! o Comn.,
VI S uarhehed Russia, watching long in vain
NOW shaii you see the cloud of Russia,. ).
Go shrinking out across a summer skv
a wind in the world Our God shall +.
IN an the future left no kinglv doll 'e
Decked out with dreadful scepter stso,
stole, steel and
But walked the sarth-a man in charity
A wind In the world And doubts
10 DUST along, and the old stars omh M
stars OF creed to Pilgrim Fatbers ,
A held OF broken spears and flowers "V.n str
A wind In the word! Now truano,,
From the true self Is ended 70 10y
supreme again she moves-and from,
A great America cries: Death to rv,.
a VINO IN the world And we bava oo,.,.
Iogether' sea oy sea in all the Iands So'ie
Vision doth move at last and Er..s
With frightened wings. ana sm,,..
beckons home smiles and
Jchn qalswcsshz in the I.onA... =,
IH|Is tt.| g ~ ~. % : -<S" <u<o0-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
CONSPICUOUS PUBLIC SERVICE

TNHE thanks of the community are
n due to, the Public Ledger for the
splendid service performed by it in publish.
ing yesterday twenty-four hours ahead of
any other morning newspaper the list
of those accepted by the Government for
the Officers Training Corps at Fort
Niagara. Thousands of applicants and
their families were without information.
and apparently without any chance of
getting any, but the Public Ledger
relieved their anxiety by its initiative and
skill in securing authoritative news from
the mailing lists of the Commander Of
the camp.
The EVENING LEDGER, through the
courtesy of the Public Ledger, was
permitted also yesterday to publish this
important piece of news. We congratu-
late our elder brother"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
RESERVE CORPS ENLIsTMENTs
10 me Edtt0r OF the EUentug Jedoer.

" WV NS"'o " tHt EUeNtNU Led1ers
Sir-A number of men in Philadelnbi.
are devoting several hours each day to the
work of the Quartermasters Department os
tne East IN connection with enlistments in
the Quartermaster's Reserve Corps.
The headquarters of the committee js at
the Automobile Club of Philadelpbia oe
South Twenty-third street, and c. A. Mus
selmann can be reached there or at the
Chiffon Company. Forty-ninth and Market
streets The secretary of the committee
is Charles A. Porter, Jr,, Land Title Build
ing.
1t is probably not necessary for me 10
impress upon you the urgency of securing
full enlistment of this department of The
army Immediately. 1t will be utterly i'm
possible to train men at the various train
ing camps after conscription goes into
effect, unless the Quartermaster's Depart
ment is enlisted to full strength in the
very near future, so that these men can he
trained in their various duties before thew
have to do active work In the field In con-
nection with delivering supplies to the train
ing camps. w. N. MORICE.
Philadelphia, May 3.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Our Own War News

foot squad and his greatest difficulty came
in the order, Mark time; march y over
and over for his special benefit the drill
sergeant gave that order. In the evening
he was put patrol on officers line and
told to keep the walk clear or all but ofll-
GERS and their families, and to challenge
everybody after a certain hour; also to ad
vance but one member of any party chal-
lenged for recognition. About 1880 p. m.
two figures showed up under an electric
light. The new sentry:
Halt. Who's there"
Officer of the day and daughter
Advance, officer of the day, to be recog-
nized. Mark time, daughter
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
MACAO STAMPS AT A PREMIJrN

Ihe recent purchase by Japan of Portu
guese land rights in Macao will bring to n
close the issuing of constant sets of stamps
Tor this comparatively unimportant settle.
ment' Portuguese merchants established
themselves at Macao, a port on the south
coast Of China, about 1857, with the ror-
mission OF the Chinese authorities. For the
last sixty years the Portuguese have pov-
enin ermeu IL exclusively although never actually
more than 800 varieties of stamps
AS result of Japans action. Jananeso
stamps surcharged for use in Macao ard
POSSIBLY Macao stamps overprinted " a.,
sapanese characters, are likely to annear
Mean"hiIe the prices of some Of the Port,,.
doubled in value 'han
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Answers to Yesterdays Quiz

hhS"SiS " ItSteTudy VulZ q
l. la Iarseillaise" is the French natioad
anthem. :
z. Maurice Francis Egan Is United States Min
lister TO Denmark.
3. Anthracite coal Is hard coal; bitumlnous col
IL soft coal.
.. 'Jofre' Il pronounced "zhuf-r" TN
snort "u'' has u trace of the short ~
sound and the "r" IL barely sounded
D. Iiberia Is a negro republic on the weA
coast of Africa.
u. Victor Carlstrom. q noted American ayiass,
was killed by fall at Newport News
Va. Wednesday.
7. Desert meaning u barren tract. Is pfs
nOunced ''dez-rt," with the acrent on III
first syllable. Dessert" meaning ~
sweets. fruits or pastry at the end o.
meal. is pronounced 'd'zert," with tn
accent on the last syllable.
y. st. Quentin H. about forty miles from u
FrancO-Bclgian border.
D. Tim mbucto0 talsO TimbuktuD Is a town 4
about 1000 Inhabitants In Upper SENEGAL
French colony In western Africa.
10. A Carrion bird Is one that eats the bodM
of dead animals.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Certain Germans will demand that the
man who shot at the Kaiser be hanged
Others will demand that the man who
missed the Kaiser be hanged. II is seldom
that a would-be assassin is able to put him
self into a position to please everybody
New York Evening Sun.
But let's get to the root of the matter.
There may be a temperance sermon I'm II
Many's the time we heard our grand
father tell Of the sermon that was
preached by old Father McGettigan, C.
p. of Ballynacarty. Donegal Drink"
said he to the people. drink is the be-
settin' sin o. ys. Shame on ye, shame.
Drink that makes ye shoot At the land
lords-au' miue them.' W.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
HARRISBURG AND IRELAND

To The Editor OF The Evening Ledger.
Sir-The anxiety of the House at Harris
burg is indeed touching regarding democ
racy in Ireland as evidenced by the resolu-
tion passed unanimously yesterday. n
would be interesting to know the thoughts
of the women Of Pennsylvania as they read
the airy flights Of fiowery phrases in the
resolution-"spirit Of democracy" fright Of
self government" deep sympathy for the
obtain the rights we enjoy here" etc, etc,
and then to reflect that these very sane
men only q few days ago denied that right
to the women Of Pennsylvania. wIlo hSys
besn wertipe zog - many yearP teNssd =
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
CandiedlY. "No!"

The Mayor sat at the center of the guests
table and acted as master of ceremonies
was a ribbon of red white and blue, also
made from candy. %. o. d. D.
But asks Hughey. can we call a lad
as plump as our candy Mayor a ribbon?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
1t is wheatless rather than mea

1t Is wheatless rather than meat
less days that are now worrying Great
Britain. Just when the confirmed
"Johnny Bull" Yields to patriotism and
forgoes his hot joint" his Government
finds that such abstinence makes him all
the more avid of bread. Hamlet insisted
that he dined on the "chameleons dish"
the air. Any food regulator who can
make that appetizing ard nutritious will
win the war.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

The contrast in New York's and
Philadelphia's ways of honoring the
French ENJOYS is strikingly typical of the
characteristics of the two cities New
York provides a theatrical and operate
entertainment for Joffre and Niviani in
her Metropolitan Opera House. Philadel-
phia submits for inspection her hallowed
historical shrines. In other words, our
big neishbor amuses the nation. We gave
II birth.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Bond Between Associations

II think the bond uniting the women of
the United States and France receives too
little consideration in speaking or thinking
of our two nations. That bond is as I
have said in supreme measure due to the
Difference we jointly give our women and
10 the fact that the home in the true sense
is more genuinely such in France and the
United States than in other countries. In
England, for instance it is said the house
Is the mans castle, whereas, In NV wav
of thinking, II is the sweetness of woman
kind that sanctifies a house or a home. be II
a castle or cottage or just an open place
beneath the stars.
II am told that In the United States man
remove their hats as woman enters an
elevator. And in France men touch tho
feminine hand with the lip In an au revoir
These are only two little things but they
point to high ideals"
Auguste Rodin, like Anatole France. whom
II was my privilege TO meet a few weeks
ago, has never before been interviewed
Like the great litterateur, he objects. So az
a friend of one of his friends / merely lis.
tened and noted. the latter with his gracious
permission. The Sculptor is in feeble health
and was dressed in mourning for the death
OF his wife. to whom he had been married
but eleven days.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

realization of a democracy which will In
clude them.
one cannot avoid wondering where was
the immutable Isador Stern with his 1owery
rhetoric This amt no time for no agita-
ton" j. Il. HARRINGTON
Philadelphia, May O.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
All married men do not wish

All married men do not wish to be
exempt from military service. Some
slackers have sought to bring the insti
tuition of matrimony into disrepute by
using it as screen for unpatriotic de-
linquency, but the Government will take
care of them Other married men, who
have enjoyed the protection of liberty and
have families worth fighting for, will be
found with guns on their shoulders
whenever or wherever they are needed
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Many persons find that their linen
soi's more quickly than ever before.
This is due largely to dust from the dirt.
laden streets. Are the street cleaners
near.sighted o" do they receive a com.
mission from the laundrics? Let us hope
that Clean-Up Week will make us all
whittier.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
CRITICIzES SECRET SERVICE MAN

To The Editor oI the EueniNJ Ledger:
Sir - In the StotesburyNye incident l
certainly think the Secret Service agent to
blame. 1t was just another case OF
Man dressed in little brief authority
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As make the angels weep.
Philadelphia, May 10. o. j.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

This might have been written today If
we had a craftsman living capable of
putting so good a sonnet together, but
Wordsworth wrote it in November, 1906:
Another year, another deadly blow.
Another mighty empire overthrown!
And we are left or shall be left, alone
The last that dares to struggle with the Foe
'Tis well. from this day forward we shall
know
That in ourselves our safety must be sought;
That by our own right hands 1t must be
wrought,
That we must stand unpropp'd. or be laid
low.
o bastard, whom such foretaste doth not
cheer.
We shall exult, II they who rule the land
Be Men who ho'd its many blessings dear,
Wise, upright, valiant; not a venal Band
Who are to Judge of danger which they fear
And honour which they do not understand
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Fort Slocum's favorite outdoor sport
comes at meatime, when the single file
passes the outdoor service kitchen. When
YOU see Il man carrying an overburdened
tin pan and lid in one hand and a cup of
coffee and n chunk of bread in the other
YOU say politely, say, fela, gimme Il
match" In wet weather many portion
of Beef Stew la Rain tips over at the
request,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

While the spring drive against
flies is being directed, why not include
their allies, the mosquitoes? 1t is known
that they are in sympathy with the
murderous attacks of the flies. so why
not destroy their bases before they have
opportunit, to mobilize? Otherwise we
are in constant danger of night attack
in which there are sure to be many
casualties.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Even the most optimistic Germans
will have a hard time showing that Bo-
livia's President, Senior Guerra, doesn't
mean war. since that word is precisely the
significant English translation of the
newly elected rulers Spanish surname.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Boss-At 1880 a. m. a street cleaner, in
white wing uniform leaning on his broom
was having his shoes shined. was ne
getting ready for the reception to General
.Joff, and was this arranged by the Public
Ledger? lNphAN'
Yes and we saw him ahead of the line
passing our reviewing stand.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

The report that the scarcity of
paper may cause German dailies to cease
publication is sad news to many of us.
who have derived for nearly three years
the days best laugh" from cabled ex-
tracts from Teutonic editorial opinion.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
The news that 3O,OOO,OOO a.

The ncWS That 3OOOU,UUO NmerlCan
peanuts are to he sent abroad for the
French army is sad enough To make cir
Gus folk form an anti.war party. But as
Europe is now providing unquestionably
"the greatest show on earth the sltua'
tion can't be helped.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

The plan to censor harmless in.
formation leads many to believe that
we may have a Pcek.in Congress in
Washington as we'll as China.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Mines

!. G.-Mines are of two general yp....
stationary and drifting, They are ''plan'ss
by vessels called mine-planters, either !. Y
waters that are to be protected or WIZ wi,ns "
mines explode upon contact. Most stau0'
airy mines are set off from shore.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Some of our martyr politicians
have announced that in the way of sac
rifce they would 20 without wines at
dinner. Many have been going without
brains for years.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
New York is up in arms over tn

New YORK Is up IN arms over the
unpatriotic, graft-loving, scheme-concoct-
ing, wire-pulling, manipulating Legisla-
ture at Albany, which seems to be in
dulging in a riot oc jobbery, We trust
that some of our own statesmen who
have been emulating their New York
brethren will at least include the re-
ceipts, IL there are any, in their income
get some little return from the business
being transacted. A few detectophones,
located in the right spots. might blast
more. than few regulations and be bene.
ncial to the cause Of common decency.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Franklin

l. C.-Benjamin Franklin was never
candidate for the presidency. He was
ready an aged man when the young Gov
ernment was organized y
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

Overheard at mealtime
Say, l thought you was in the signal
CORPSE"
II was, but I got transferred to cavalry"
what did va change for?"
Outsider: Cant va see va big boob?
He hadta he eats lika horse"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Philadelphia, Friday, MAY IL, 1917

City Hall tower is lighted again,
Let the Kaiser put that fact in his pipe
and smoke it,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11

MAX, the waiter at Guys, was sur
prised on Wednesday morning to find his
little girl was staying home from school,
"Warum hast du no school heute
morgen?" sez he, or words TO that effect
Because" she replied in the same tongue,
der Franzoesische Kaiser ist hier."
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Military Age

F. G.. R-Nineteen years was frsi W
posed by the War College as the mlnimsr I.
age of men subject to draft. As you ~ y
probably noted, this has been raiseo
twenty-one years by both the Senate
the House of Representatives.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
The heavy sacrifice of life that tn

The heavy sacrifice of life that the
Germans are incurring at the northern
and of the line in France is significant
a. much for the emphasis which the
enemy IL putting upon speed as for the
importance which success would mean
n him IA driving the Canadians back
M fief4 snd shs British back
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-11
Russian Car

made 2 neld marshal Of the Britie
n March 1ple, !. {