davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15

house are So per month-less than any
rent. The assets of the family are:
"a a wise mother; CD an industricss S,
clean boy, learning his trade; t5l SLY
normal boys and girls Against these
assets there is a present liability OF y y
a week deficit in their income, or $500
per year
Opportunity No. 10: A Fathers Duty
on Young ShouIders-Many years ago
the father forsook his wife. leaving her
with four small children. The Oldest
girl, now eighteen, not overstrong. is
trying to support her invalid mother.
Nancy is working the harder so that
her fourteen-year-o1 brother may
stay in school this year TO fit him Tor
better service. The two younger lads.
eleven and eight years of age, are just
happy, healthy boys at school. and we
want to keep them so. The mother
hopes that in another year she will be
self-supporting and is proud to think
SO. Sc per week. or 1912 PEI year. is
needed.
Opportunity No. II; Who. VIII Help
John Garry His Lond:-John. colored
children. is striving hard to be the
breadwinner for his younger brothers
and sisters. He is learning his trade
and is already earning $1.20 day
enough to support seven people in
these war times When his father
died his mother put her shoulder to the
wheel to keep the family together.
mother. superior woman. takes ex-
cellent care of the children. besides
taking in sewing. John takes great
pride in keeping himself trim. When
he comes home Saturday afternoon he
takes off his suit and presses 1t ready
to wear to church the next morning.
It will not be long before Johns sister
will be old enough to help, but. for the
next year IS week. or $415 a year,
will be necessary II this home for
kept together.
Earners.-Mrs. Weeks. a widow, is an
encouragement to those who are afraid
of tuberculosis. Once she had it, but
through good care is now well, so that
she Is able to make an exceptionally
good home for her four fatherless chill
dren, under sixteen years of age. Her
boys and girls show the result. The
oldest girl has a scholarship in a busi-
ness school, and is preparing to be-
come breadwinner. Jack. the oldest
live stock and grain for our Army.
Meantime he is going to school and
helping his mother with the heavy
house and garden work. Even four-year-
the house after the other children have
gone to school. $14 weekly, or $728 for
the year, is needed.
Opportunity No. Is. Mother Blind.
Father Almost So. and Seven Children.
Try to put yourself in the position of
this mother. who is totally blind. Think
what it would be never to have seen
any one of your seven babies, with all
their cunning ways. never to have seen
their smiles and dimples. Add to this
the fact that the fathers eyesight is al
most gone. and we have a picture of the
family.
The children, fortunately, are all nor
NAL, and 1t is especially for their sakes
that we ask your interest. The woman
adds to the slender income of the family
by TRANSFERRING books in the Braile sys-
tenn, for the blind. without help this
family cannot be kept together, and
the poor blind mother says: my chill
dren are all have in the world" FIJI
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
EDWARD GEORGE PORTNER,
CHEMIST, DIES IN CITY
Brother-in-Law Of Representative
Henry d. Flood and Son Of the
Late Robert Portner.

Edward George Portner, brother-in-
law of Representative Henry D. Flood,
died last night at his apartments in
The Portner. Funeral arrangements
have not yet been completed.
Mr.. Portner was born November IA.
1874, at Manassas, Va. and had lived
in Washington for a number of years.
He was a graduate of Columbian Col
lege, now George Washington Univer-
dty, and the Boston Institute of Tech
nology. He was a chemist, having been
a professor of chemistry for short
while at George Washington Univer-
sity. He was a son Of the late Robert
Portner.
Surviving him are his wife. who was
Miss Mamie Moncure of Virginia, and
one son, Edward Moncure Portner, and
three brothers and five sisters. They
are A. o. Portner. Oscar Portnsr and
Paul " Portner of Manassas. Va; Miss
Hilda Portner. Mrs. Lorimer Graham,
Mrs. William Payne Meredith and Mrs.
Flood, all of Washington. and Mrs. Alma
Portner Of New York.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
united himself for almost any other
pursuit"
Heating Bill Endorsed
by Representatives of
Federal EMPLOYEES Union

The board of representatives of the
Federal Employees Union Endorsed the
Heating salary increase bill at a meet
ing held in Perpetual Building Hall
last night.
The schedule. of increases provided in
tho Heating bill. ranging from to 30
per cent, was favored by the board
members over other schedules. Presi-
dent John s. Beach, ]. S. Ginder and
Owen p kellar were constituted a
committee to attend the conference on
salary increases to he held Tuesday
at the American Federation OF Labor
building.
Plans to enlarge the membership of
the Federal Employees Union to $4,000
employees were discussed. Questions
relating to the publication of the
unions monthly magazine were con-
sidered.
The board laid over for future con-
sideration the administration commit
tees recommendation that the union
be represented in the local Chamber OF
Commerce and Board of Trade.
Charles A. Stanton outlined to the
board plans for the proposed Martha
Washington Club House for woman
employees of the government.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15

I
return they were very insistent that
each one should be polite and that
hands should be washed before each
meal 1890 week or 1924 for the
year is needed.
Opportunity No. 81 Four Deserted
Kiddies-This little
French woman. deserted by her nus
band five years ago, is taking good care
Of her four children. under thirteen
years. Her little girls are being train
ed to be good housekeepers. Each one
has her own special duty to perform
daily, even Baby Helene busting, which
is about all her tiny hands can do.
While the children are at school mother
works out, but is unable to make
enough to buy all that four little ones
need to eat, as well as other necessities,
and shoes have a habit of wearing out.
The Associated Charities has tried.
without success, to locate the father.
So a week or $468 Is needed to supple
ment what this mother can earn.
Opportunity No. 9s Future Assets
Versus Present Liabilities.-Mrs. BIS
husband died two years ago. leaving
her with six children. only one of whom
was old enough to work She hardly
knew which way to turn. A chance to
learn a trade at $3.50 a week, or mes
senger service at IS, was offered her for
her boy. She took the long view and
chose the trade. Now Henry Is making
50 a week. with prospect Of moro. The
father was a builder, and when he died
had partially paid for the house in
which they live. The expenses on the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
COURT WILL ADJOURN.
To Permit Members of Bar to. Aid
Registrants With Queries,

In order to expedite the responses of
registrants to the questionnaires sent
out by the War Department, Chief JUS
tice Covington and his associates on the
bench of the District Supreme Court
will adjourn court at l o'clock each
day SO that members of the bar may be
free to assist registrants in the prepa-
ration of the information sought by the
government. The lawyers have volun-
teered their services and will make no
charge for the aid to the registrants,
who are asked to feel at liberty to seek
the assistance of the lawyers.
BY an order of the court in general
term, all the branches of the District
Supreme Court will hold sessions from
10 O'Clock until / o'clock only. from
Monday, December II, until Friday, De-
cember 81, and from January 2, until
January II. The regular sessions will
be resumed January 10.
The annual Christmas recess of the
court will begin at the adjournment
next Friday and will continue until
Wednesday, January 2, 1918.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15

teen dollars a week. or $3.50 a year, is
needed to keep this large family to-
gether.
Opportunity No. IA. The Chief Bread
winner mt Fiteen.-How would you like
family at fifteen years? This is what
Mary has had. She, is earning s6 a
week and is the support of an invalid
widowed mother and two younger chill
dren. Besides working all day she is
going to school at night to At herself to
earn more money later and to give the
younger children chance. Six dollars
week will not support a family of
four these days. and Mary must have
proper food or she will not only be in
efficient. but will have a breakdown.
Eight dollars a week, or $416, is needed
for this coming year to supplement
Mary's earnings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
OFFICER TAKES CHANCES
IN PLATINUM GATHERING
Story Of Lieut.. Shines Exploit in
Procuring Supply of 81 600
Ounces for U. S.

The story of the hazardous gather
ing of $1,000 ounces of platinum by
Lieut.. Norman A. Shines, and it's ship
ment across Siberia to Vladivostock
and then to the United States. was told
today by officials of the bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce. which
conducted negotiations for obtaining
the metal to supply pressing war
needs.
Incidentally, the bureau took occa-
sion to deny categorica1ly that any
private individual controlled or would
be able to obtain any portion or the
shipment Advertisements printed in
New York Offering the platinum for
sale were declared to be unwarranted
Is Attached to Embassy Staff.
Lieut. Shines, platinum expert
formerly associated with Herbert Z.
Hoover in mining engineering, recently
entered the United States Army ana
was attached to the military stan OF
the American embassy in Petrograd.
Realizing the necessity of obtaining
platinum if Americas war preparations
were not to be curtailed, he began 70
obtain control of large quantities IN
various parts of Russia with the imam
rank of Petrograd. This platinum he
offered to the United States govern
ment at cost. A.
When time came for the shipment to
the United States, it was FOUND tnat
many difficulties had to be surmounted
officials who desired to hold the meta
for higher prices had to be placated.
Unusual care had to be taken against
robbery.
Plan to Assure Shipment.
Because platinum Is on the imports
embargo list, the consignment was
shipped to the Secretary of Commerce
with the understanding that 1t was to
be used solely for government needs.
It will be turned over to the metals
of the war industries
board, which will allot small portions
to the bureau of standards, the bureau
of mines and the Navy Department Tor
useA in war work.
The Army will use the remainder in
producing ammunition.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15

light must be selected for these en-
ployes. AS such rooms are widely sep
arated. the drafting and engraving
force is scattered throughout the build
ings, which makes it impossible for the
chief craftsman and the chief engraver
properly to supervise the work of these
employees; and the output is greatly
lessened because of the Inconvenience
of consulting various records and data
that are necessary to be used in COM
mon by all Of the craftsmen or all Of
the engravers. And even with the
noe 80 tha h TO pace na,u eaGn ,nh, -
available all that is desirable Is far
from being accomplished"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
FORMER SALOON FISH STAND.
Another Building on Water. Street
Used for Sea Food Business.

The fitting UP Of the former saloon on
the north side of Water street between
18th and 18th streets. as place for the
sale of fish and other sea food. IS nearly
completed When this is done every
building on both sides of Water street
between 18th and 18th. will be devoted to
the fish, oyster and sea food business. The
new municipal sea food market fills the
entire space on the south side OF the
street and on the north side the recent
erection Of row of stores and the turn
ing of the old saloon into a sea food store
makes the entire section one big market
that will draw trade to it from all Sec
lions Of the city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15

writer's. the American Institute of Ma
rine Underwriters and the National
Workmen's Compensation Bureau have
been notified. Advice and suggestions
from these sources have been invited
to regulations to be incorporated in
the licenses to be issued to foreign con-
Germs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
TO COMPLY BY FEBRUARY /.
Foreign Insurance Companies, in
Business Here, Must Be Licensed.

All foreign insurance companies do
ing business in the United States are
required to obtain licenses from the
Secretary of the Treasury on or before
February 1 next. by order OF the Presi-
dent. One Of the purposes Of this re-
ouirement is to guard against trans
mission of information of value to the
enemy to persons or places where it
may be available to the enemy.
The National Board of Fire Under
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
All Raised But Postal Workers.

Congress at the last session granted
all government empoyes, except those
in the postal service. an increase in
wages Ordinary unskilled labor in
Washington is receiving at least 40
cents per hour and in many cases a
great deal more, while the skilled
postal employe receives 27a cents to
II "a cents.
.aThe letter carrier serves as substi-
tute three years before becoming a
regular carrier. earning less than 81
per day during that period. He must
purchase his uniform. which has adj
ten years.
'The post office clerk must memorize
and master difficult distribution
schemes. and 5000 to 5000 facts must
be borne in mind continually and con-
stantly. There is no compensation for
the particular study which must be
done at home.
Night Work Specially Arduous.
More than Sc per cent of tho clerks
labor is performed after pm. and
the greater portion of that is performed
no more pay than for day work.
1.-The British postal service has for
long recognized seven hours night
work as equivalent to eight hours day
work.
ION the whole the calling Of the
postal worker Is more or less peculiar
in so far as the knowledge one gains
after years of service is absolutely USE
less in any other line Of business. When
an employe has served faithfully any
where from ten to forty years he has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
Ambassador Fletcher on Way Home.

SAN ANTONIO. Tex. December 15s-
Henry P. Fletcher. ambassador. from
the United States to Mexico. passed
through San Antonio yesterday on
route to his homo In PeunsylyanaA TO
spend the holidays
Ambaasador Fletcher said that tAs
was Ea1l0y. aasax1na
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
Expectation Of Dyes Prohibited

MEXICO CITY. December 1S-The
treasury department announced last
night prohibition of the export of ami
line and coal tar dyes and natural and
artificial vegetable dyes
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
Work Greatly Retarded.

The worn OF she local ONCE 10 greatly
retarded owing to the unsuitable
quarters in which the bureau Is housed,
the superintendent declares.
DR.. Jones also states:
There is constant danger of loss by
fire on account Of the combustible ma
terials of which these buildings are
constructed. These buildings require
that a great deal of labor be expended
daily to keep them in sanitary condi-
ton. and then the results are not all
that are desirable. Because of the lack
OF room. 1T is necessary to utilize every
available room for the personnel Of the
bureau. consequently there Ia no avail
able space for the Installation OF IA
ctlities and equipment for keeping the
buildings In o sanitary condition.
The rooms are small, and In order TO
secure necessary natural light for en-
B7avefs ana Alaktsmao, these rooms
1see feysratay loeats6 - A1esr4 THIS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
Should Have Increases.

Instrument makers and hydrographic
and geodetic engineers all should have
Increased salaries, the superintendent
says. and then enters into the need Of
lows:
still another reason for dissatisfac-
tion among our engineers is the fact
that they are not able during their ac-
tive service in the government, on ac-
count of the small compensation re-
cefyed, to lay by competency for their
Old age There is yet no provision of
law which makes it possible to place
our engineers on waiting list with
pay. such as Is done in some services,
and therefore our engineers as they be-
come old and incapable of performing
neld work efficiently are reduced in
salaries and placed on work which,
though light, Is still more than men OF
advanced years should be required to
do. II they are unable to do any work
they are dropped from the service with
cut any further pay.
After considering some Of the causes
tor our engineers leaving the service,
at 10 evident that some measures
should be provided to add to tho sta
oIity OF the sngineerins force Of the
survey and thereby increase its eff
cheney. The remedies appear to be in
creased average compensation and more
rapid promotions, also some provision
for compensation after the active years
OF their life have passed. expect to
treat OF the matter of more rapid pro-
motion and retirement pay in a later
report. Here. / am placing emphasis on
the necessity of providing. at the COM
ing session Of Congress. for additional
positions wrich will slightly increase
the average compensation OF the en-
gtneers. There is no doubt whatever
of the necessity for having more en-
gineers in order to carry on efficiently
the work Of the bureau, which is SO
vital to the Industrial and commercial
development of the country. When
additional places are provided for, the
new positions should be placed in the
higher salaries. rather than in the
lever ones, which are now overloaded.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
CROWDING THE TELEPHONE DOOR

CkOW UlNG IHE IELEPHONE UOOk
The situation confronting this Company in Washington is filled
dc1ties the steadily
telephone calls,
For months the daily burden put has been all but
breaking.
With there physical barrier hold in check the calling
public The mo for immediate dev-
cry The railroads Embargo Even the elevator boy
please The telephone though they be
whmed must striving and complete each calm
n
Washingons telephone operating difficulties like of the
is humanity possible the Telephone edeavong
other cities working have before been called
work handle the telephone traffic of the city, The force being
creased as fast labor and housing conditions permit
It because this telephone asked
the Public Utilities Commission to certain revions
schedule charges We trust it will be
which
designed to bring needed
IN The CHESAPEAKE AND POTOMAC ~
49, TELEPHONE COMPANY 49,
t.. Y
- -. IA
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
POSTAL WORKERS
TO MAKE APPEAL
To Ask for Salary Increase at
Hearings to Be Held
Monday.
OUTLINE OF ARGUMENT

When the first open hearing in be-
half of the federal employes-those in
the postal services held Monday in
the offices of the post Offices and post
roads committee of the House. in the
Capitol, these workers in the nations
largest industry, the postal service, are
going to set their case before their real
employers, the public. in an appeal for
justice.
This was made clear today in an in
terview with Thomas F. Flaherty. sec
retary-treasurer of the National Fed
Grafton of Post Office Clerks. who out
lined for The Star the statement he
will make as a witness at the hearing
Monday. for the letter carriers, the
post Office clerks and the railway mail
clerks.
Department on Paying Basis.
''The Post Office Department is not
only being operated on paying
basis" he said, but for the year 1917
shows net surplus of s10.0o0.0o0, and
for 1918 will show a greater increase
From this profit the government should
in justice and to promote efficient serv-
ice give an increase IN wages and pro-
vide better working conditions
THE postal workers would then
be relieved of the ever-increasing
burden of debt. unrest and dissatisfac-
ton. 1t would check deterioration of
the postal service caused by resigna-
tons of experienced men who are
forced to seek more remunerative en-
ploymenc;A~
When ecretary-Treasurer Flaherty
appears before the subcommittee. of
which Representative Thomas NJ. Bell
of Georgia is chairman, he intends to
present some tersely stated facts about
as follows:
Postal employees receive no pen
sions; have received but one increase
in forty years, ten years ago. when
dollar would go twice as far as today:
minimum wage is 1920 per day, 27A
cents per hour: maximum wage is 1888
per, day, 41ss cents per hour; nine
years service to attain the maximum
wage; time off duty lost in case of ILL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
Encourage Greater Efforts.

It Is further evident that to main
SAin q reasonable degree of permanence
IN the trained clerical force obstacles
TO meritorious advancement should be
removed. and encouragement to great
er Efforts to attain the highest special
tzation should be given The figures
show that now the chance to advance
above 81 900 per annum Is almost nil.
and that painstaking effort is not re-
Warded.
"The great amount Of overtime by
The clerical force does not make up
Tor the lack of numbers, and many de-
rails In the line of efficiency, economy
and output of product have to be either
abandoned or partly lost in generaliza-
ton The field force has been in
creased but the clerical force has had
no additions. which are necessary to
dispose of the increased output from
the field. Overtime by the clerks for
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1917, was
619 days, or an average for each one
who worked overtime of nineteen days
Furthermore. the cost of living as
well as salaries in commercial life have
risen to such an extent that the point
has been reached when it is hardly
possible to induce any one to accept
one of these position at $720 per an
num-" DR.. Jones says.
Salaries for printers in the bureau are
unusually low. land we must obtain
better positions In order to retain COM
potent men in the service" the super
1ntendent states. The photographic
craftsmen in the coast and geodetic
survey receive only from $1,000 to 81, 400
~ compared to the 81, 800 to $1,400 paid
IN the geological survey.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
GOLDEN CHANCES
TO AID IA FAMILIES

Continued from First Pase.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
Enter Other Fields.

AFTER they have been trained by older
clerks and chiefs Of divisions, DR.. Jones
states, and reach point where they are
1Airiy able to work alone and without con-
slant guidance they become restless and
discouraged by the stagnation in promo
lions and the results are designations, to
onter more promising fields.
TT takes long time and a great deal
Of instruction to develop the average in
coming clerk to the point where he can
transact independently the duties as
signed him." according to the report "A
large amount Of skilled help Is wasted in
training the novice. The bureau Is Grip
pied and work is retarded as follows:
Il. Loss Of time in training the new
clerk.
'.2. Loss of time which a trained clerk
would give in the same position.
y Loss OF time where the position Is
9acant and awaiting an incumbent.