davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
AMERICA FIRST"
Is LABOR PLEDGE
Organized Workers Not to
Strike or Disarrange Con-
ditions During War.

Placing the defense and safety Of
the nation" above all other considers
tions. organized labor OF the United
states will not strike or seek to
change existing conditions of labor
during the war.
This pledge OF loyalty and support
by the organized workers OF the coun-
try has been made through the labor
committee OF the Council Of National
Defense. As chairman OF the labor
committee, President Gompers has
called upon workers and employers
not to change existing standards OF
labor employment in the existing Ear
tional crisis.
Report of Commitfee.
The committee made the following
report:
The defense and safety of the ma
ton must be the first consideration
Of all patriotic citizens. To avoid
confusion and to facilitate the prepa-
ration for national defense and give
q stable basis upon which the repre-
sentatives of the Government may
operate during the war. we recon-
mend:
THAT the Council Of National De-
fense should issue q statement to en-
ployers and employees in our Industrial
plants and transportation systems ad-
vising that neither employers nor EN-
ployes shalT endeavor to take advan-
tage Of the eountry's necessities TO
change existing standards. When
economic or other emergencies arise
requiring changes of standards. the
same should be made only after such
RrannaaA ha haan fnWeaft-
gated and approved by the Council Of
National Defense.
That the Council OF National De-
fense urge upon the legislators Of the
States, as well as all administrative
agencies charged with the enforce
ment of labor, health, and welfare Of
workers, and that no departure from
such present standards. in State laws
or State rulings. affecting labor.
should be taken without declaration
of the Council of National Defense
that such departure Is essential for
the effective pursuit Of the national
defense.
State Action Asked.
That the Council Of National De-
Tense urge upon the legislators Of the
several States that before anal ad-
journment they delegate to the gov
ernors of their respective States the
power to suspend or modify restrie-
tions contained in their labor laws
when such suspensions or modifica-
tions shall be requested by the Coun-
ell Of National Defense; and such
suspension or modification, when
made, shall continue for a specined
period and not longer than the durs-
tion of the war"
The report has been adopted by the
council and is regarded as represent
ing the accomplishment Of one of its
biggest tasks.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
My Head or Your Head

Carlyle, in his successful effort to
rehabilitate the character of Crom-
well throughout the English-speak-
ing world, defended his hero from
the charge of regicide by stating the
real issue in such a war as the great
English revolution, as narrowing
down to this: any head or your
head" AS Cromwell and his revolu-
tionists won, it was the head of
Charles the First that fell into the
basket.
Stripped of every other considera-
ton, it is now Germany or the
United States that will win this war.
Doubt that the United States will
win can only be dismissed from all
minds here by patriotic devotion and
the dedication of everything that
we have and everything that we. are"
to our countfy's service. The ever
lasting shame of defeat to American
arms is, Of course. unthinkable. But
it would be only less disgraceful if,
after due time for full entrance upon
warfare, defeat should be avoided
only by the superhuman efforts of
our allies. America must do her full
part. That spells sacrifice. There
must be not only the cheerful sur
render Of American sons to service,
military and naval, but the equally
cheerful payment without demur of
whatever taxes may be devised by
governmental authority.
The whole weight of a nation of a
hundred million souls, of more than
two hundred billions of wealth, must
he thrown unresevedly into the
scale. 1t is victory for Germany or
victory for the United States that
will be determined when one side or
the other of the balance kicks the
beam.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09


ett' sAia that sne was tnoroushS
coro win tnose patrlotic women oi Een
YORK. and peIeVeo tne women Oh 'he
country should take advantage Oh ever
opportunity TO show their patriotisin'
Mrs. Pickett recalls now Soutnerh So-
men saved in the sixties ana the sHn
and women In civil war umes
homespun materials AT eents yAru,
Let me as a woman appear 10 he
women OF the National Capital 10 reiuse
10 wear the high knee boot that Is oeins
worn at the present time, while the
whole world Is crying for leather.
Are we unable to see that II helps 10
keep women's shoes in this country
higher in price, for the simple reasoh
that 1t requires more leather to make
such shoe?
At every turn we hear OF the hlgh
cost of living. and we all feel H. We
women can help to reduce the cost OF
living. IL We will dress little more
sensibly.
We are told that next winter shoes
will be so a pair. Let us demand
that they give us back the shoe that
we have been wearing for twenty
years or more. IL rests with us TO
reduce the cost of shoes, and we can
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
RusalA-lOlS.

Hail to the people Of that far OF land,
Which all the toiling centuries have banned
Beneath the heel Of an autocray.
Until II seemed that prison walls confined
All Russian thought that offered TO the mind
The vision Of true democracy.
A mighty realm. whose steppes stretch proud
From Caspian waves to the low Arctic sun.
Pm, d,r, m =. s1oa Srs, Ca1. 70 sna x,Ss sHSt
Despite the zeal with which its martyrs died.
Hung a pail Of Intolerance and fear.
But stronger ever grew the restless urge
or what should yet their cherries country
OF eS'ry trace of despOtlsm'. pow'r,
As faith ana courage. in true patriot bond.
Stirred eYermors their hearts with hopes be-
The tyrant rule that seemed like fate's
own dow'T.
Thus on Times dial pass the patient years.
Till in. the midst Of world-war's blood and
tears.
group Of strong, courageous men de-
Their throne shall pass. with all its satellites
Into n government OF human rights.
To give the world = nation new and free;
While the great armies that have been 30 long
The Instruments whereby the age-old wrong
OF an imperial rule has been maintained
Thrill with the higher call and pledge their
guns
In loyalty to Iiberty's brave sons.
To guard the freedom which has been
proclaimed.
Most splendid page In Auscovy's great scroll
or peace and war, whose lights and shadows
roll
NAcross 4 nations long defrauded Mfei
Few deeds In all humanity's advance
Shall nberty's high value 80 enhance. SD
Or with more poW'r make human free
dom rife.
God Of all men who ever have dehed
An arbitrary government and died
hat haN l0hf fhair fror,
its blight.
We thank Thee that we live TO see this day.
When a great land. long meath despotic sway.
Comes out OF bondage into freedoms
light.
Hail to thee. Russia of the coming years,
Thy night II passed: thy dawn at last appearss
On the horizon beams thy rising sun.
May IL pursue its bright and steady course
or new republics yet to be the source
TIL all the world democracy has won.
KEPLER HOYT.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
The Die L. Cat.

I'm and away to do and to dare,
Full of the fervor that righteous
ness brings:
In martial array-the calls in the
And hope in the heart trlumphantly
sings!
Neutral no more. for honor demands
We go to uphold our rights on the
sea:
orr tn the war. America stands
For unsullied freedom and liberty:
Justice at last has opened his eyes
And calls us to arm and cOmA to
his aid;
The die Is cast! With songs and
good-bys
We go to conquer the wrong un-
afraid!
STELLA V. KELLERMAN.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
HOME LEAGUE GROWS
Hundreds Of Applications on Hand
For Defense League.

With hundreds of applications al
ready on hand. the executive commit
tee of which Major Raymond w. Pull
man, superintendent OF police, is chair
man, is rapidly outlining its plans
for the organization of the Home DeI
fense League. A number of men call
ed at Major Pullman's office today to
offer their services. Request was
made that they send letters giving
their ages and addresses.
Many letters have been received
from owners of automobiles and motor
boats, offering the use of the vehicles
and craft IL needed by the Police De-
partment.
The committee is having printed
5000 application blanks. These will
be distributed through the clubs, trade
ORGANIZATIONS and civic bodies.
A meeting OF the executive commit
tee will be held in the office of Major
pullman the last of the week. The
committee consists OF Major Pullman.
Woodbury Blair. Odell s. Smith, Dan
iel ]. Callahan, William p. Emo, A.
Leftwich Sinclair. snd Charles 3.
Shreve.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
More Ships Needed

The problem as to sending an army
to France is largely one of honor.
Several other prospective war ques-
tons that face America imperiously
demand a solution for reasons
chiefly practical. Among these the
maintenance of the North Atlantic
shipping tonnage is as important
perhaps as the supplying of victuals
and war material to the entente.
The total of sinkin9s announced by
Germany since February 1, including
a list issued on April /, comes to
1856, 900 tons. Though the German
figures have greatly exceeded those
published in London, it is prudent to
assume them to approximate the
truth. At their own reckoning, then,
the Germans are effecting about SO
per cent of the monthly destruction
which they designed.
Hedged as the factors of the prob
lem are with uncertainties. we still
incline to the belief that a million
tons sunk month. conditions other
wise remaining unchanged, would
put Britain in straits for lack of
ships in About six months. With
construction going on as before, a de-
struction, of $4,000 tons a month,
other things being equal, would leave
Britain about year to go.
This computation is not a predic-
tion, but an indication of what must
be done to help beat Germany. The
factors in the shipping problem must
be changed, and America SO far as
Sin her lies must help change them.
Shipbuilding needs to be enormously
increased. The output of American
Shipyards must be put into commits
sion at the earliest possible moment.
The type of transatlantic freight
carriers can perhaps be altered to
suit the exigencies. Wooden vessels,
for example, can be built here. This
coast still has an army of workmen
who understand the wooden ship
building trade, and lumber can now
be obtained in many qualities cheap
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
A Word to the Pacifists

May we not hope that the mes
sages of congratulation toahe MEM
bers of Congress who voted against
the war resolution, with its merited
rejection by those to whom it was ad-
dressed, is the last we shall have of
the public manifestations of pacifsm
during the war?
We are at war. and war is war.
Doubtless some of you are ready to
seal your faith in the doctrine that
war is never justifiabie with the
martyrdom of going to Jail for
your convictions. But what good
would that do to yourselves, your
cause, or your country? AS to your
selves, it would hand down to your
children and your childrerfs chill
dren the brand of treason. To your
cause. which in happier times may
well flourish again, it will add the
contempt of patriotic men. Your
country would only be injured by the
resentment that would accompany
the resort to severe measures
against yourselves.
The wise man knows that there is
time when one should be silent for
the sake of the convictions which he
holds. Sane pacifsts should realize
that unless they succeed in canning
the pacifst atmosphere that sur
rounds them, they can have no influ-
ence in guiding the thought or the
action of the nation. To fight for
making this a little war, to object
to the means which the authorities
agree upon after taking the advice
of experts as to how the army or
the navy or ne financial resources
of the country shall be used, is not
only to make a losing fight but to
create a reaction in the opposite
direction because of the taint of pro-
Germanism that attaches to these
efforts. /.
There is a time for all things un-
der the sun. There is a time to
speak and time to be silent. This is
the time for the pacifist to be silent.
The time will come again when real
pacifism .Yill not only be tolerated
but will be effective in the cause Of
enduring peace. Meanwhile there is
nc danger that America is to be
Prussianized. The deadly danger to
the Hohenzollerns is that Prussia
shall become Americanized.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
Man Who Arraigned Paeifists Ready
To Serve His Country I'm War.

Man Whe Arraigned Paeifists Ready
To Serve His Country In War.
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
received a letter last night from
pacifist condemning me very Sc
verely for what l wrote of the pa
ctfists in the papers lately. The fact
that 1t was not signed would indl-
cate that the writer was ashamed of
being a pacifist. II true that much
Is at least o.his or her credit. The
writer charged that 1 was probably
a Government employe. an sppendags
OF society, or had Wall Street con.
neetions, and was, therefore, promot-
ing war for the personal benefits
that might accrue to me.
beg to answer and reassure my
charitable critic through your paper
that. L have none OF the connections
he assumes, but on the contrary am
only a plain American citizen, who,
like millions of his fellows, tolls In
honorable employment for his daily
bread and try to stand four square
in all or LIES relations. 1 should
like to further inform my critic that
l advocate nothing I am not willing
TO support, and that l am enrolled in
the War Department as a lieutenant
colonel OF infantry. United States
Volunteers. and have asked the au-
thorities TO assign me to the first
troops that may be sent to France
or any other part OF the world,
should any be sent. If in the course
OF Providence 1 should be sent and
lose my life upon the field of battle,
l would esteem ii a glorious sacrifice
upon the altar OF democracy to the
end that governments Of the people,
by the people, and for the people
shall not perish from the earth, which
Is now threatened by an autocracy,
backed by the most diabolicaI, brutal,
unconscionable, and desperate mill
.tary organization the world has ever
seen. Furthermore, whether my pa
cifist friend should so regard the sac
rlfice or not, IL would also be for his
protection. and all others OF like
mind, in their life, liberty, and pur-
suit OF happiness.
ALEXANDER SIDNEY EANIER.
Washington, ID. C.. April 8, 1917.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
No Way to Help Ireland

Medill Mccormick is an eXper-
fenced newspaper man but a green
Congressman. The newspaper in
stinct for making news is not al
ways compatible with ones best
service as a legislator. His pro-
posed resolution, which has been duly
advertised as offered in the House
today "for the establishment of a
self-governing ireland and Poland"
is good as an ADVERTISING scheme,
but will not be effective for the pur-
pose named in the rcs6lution.
The President's address has al
ready had its infuence in Great Brit
ain, as the welcome extended it
from the Liberals Gnd the ccoiness
manifested by the Tory element
shows. That went as far as It is
safe to 90 for the present.
The British Parliament. would un-
doubtedly resent the passage Of such
a resolution and its Transmission to
themselves. Just as the american
Congress would resent any sugges
tions from the British Parliament
Rs to the American duty of making
independent nations of the Philip
pines or of Porto Rico. The best
way to fight for Ireland is to. help
the United States in making this a
war for democracy. The indirect
method is. wiser than direct action.
The resolution should be referred
to the Foreign Affairs Committee
and given long sleep in some con-
venient pigeon-hole.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
Stone and Kitchin Should Resign

The safety of this Government
and the efficiency Of its operation
are seriously threatened by the
presence of two men in its councils.
Those two men are Senator Stone
and Congressman Kitchin. There
is every argument for their removal,
voluntary or forcible, from the
places which they now occupy.
Senator Stone as head of the For
eign Relations Committee, is, or
should be the intermediary between
the President and the Senate on mat
tiers concerning both friendly and
enemy foreign governments. He
has proved by his utterances that he
is not to be trusted to express the
Executives ideas regarding either.
No one knows better this lack Of
usefulness than the President, and
he has for weeks failed to make the
Senator his. confidant or his spokes-
man.
Mr.. Kitchin is nominally the
leader of the majority in the House.
But he has no longer a majority of
the House to lead for the majority
do not agree with him. The majority
will not follow him, they will not
even be driven by him. He can no
longer represent the President in
the lower branch of the Government
because he does not choose so to do.
1t would seem impossible that
these two meE should wish to con-
tinue a situation so distasteful to
the President, so hampering to the
Government, so unsafe to the in
terests of this country; and so EN-
to themselves.
They have the remedy for the
whole situation in their own hands.
They can clear the complication by
the act of resigning. In a business
affair they would either resign or
be fired. The present condition
cannot be endured and if voluntary
action is not forthcoming forcible
measures should be and must Re
adopted,
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
CADET CAMP OFF.

April weather, accompanied by snow
and cold winds. today resulted in the
camp for 80 high school cadets, planned
by Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Kramer. in charge Of military affairs
Of the public schools and Lieut. N B
Brisooe. cadet instructor. atWinthroD.
being postponed until more favorable
weather prevails.
About twenty-five boys assembled at
the wharf early this morning. ready 10
take the trip. despite the cold. Mr..
Kramer and Lieutenant Briscoe. after
one glance at the snow-covered ground
and the thermometer, decided against
permitting the boys to take any risk.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
LETTERS TO TIMES
FROM ITS READERS
Objects to Universal Military
Training and Points Out
Her Reasons.

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
The principle of universal mill
tary service" is advocated today by
many well-meaning and unthinking
persons in the name of democracy and
equality. They regard war as un-
avoidable, but think II wrong to hire
our fighting done for us. In this crisis
all men must be called upon to share
equally in their duty toward their
country, including the duty of killing
and Of being killed.
OF the two the universal" theory
perhaps looks preferable on paper,
but how does II work out in fact? Its
advocates object to the volunteer idea
OF Let-George-Do-It and purpose to
substitute therefor MAKE-George-Do-
1t, George in the latter case being any
defenseless lad aged from twenty 10
twenty-four.
In the apartment building in which
L live, for instance, some fifteen Or
twenty stalwart male citizens who be-
lieve In the necessity for war and the
justice Of a universal form OF ser
vice are to be represented in this war
by the gentle, twenty-year-old colored
lad who runs our elevator, who will
doubtless be drafted to render their
universal service for them, in the
name Of the Defense OF the Worlds
Liberties"
THERESA II RIJSSEII
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
BALLOON IN STORM.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala, April g.
Lieut.. f. w. Coil and Ensign r. C.
Pennoyer, students at the naval aero
nautic training station at Pensacola,
who left there in a dirIgible balloon,
were forced to descend in a severe
wind and rain storm near North
port, Ala, across the Warrior river
from Tuscaloosa. The ballon at
tanned an altitude of 1000 feet
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
BALTIMORE JEERs SLAcKERs
Thirty-two Red-bIooded Men An
swef Dramatic Call to coIors.

BALTIMORE. April 81 Thirty-two
red-blooded American. youths raced
down the aisles at the academy OF
Music yesterday and ,ciambered over
the rails at the orchestra pit to the
stake-thirty-two Of that first 500 for
the navy's first line Of defense whose
names will be preserved in Maryland's
historical records
As John Nordeck. broad-shouldered
and red-cheeked. sprank from his seat
and swung down the aisle. dragging his
overcoat behind him-the first pan to
break under the stirring can Of Lieut.
P. L. Wilson to step up'-pandemo-
MUM was let loose. and the 1000 In the
recruiting meeting stamped their feet.
whistled, shouted. clapped their hands.
and cheered-
Shortly afterward twenty-eight OF the
thirty-two grouped themselves into a
little band and the first cry of slack
ers" was cast in the faces Of several
hundred youths on the sidewalks. many
of them smiling condescendingly on the
twenty-eiEht-
Hey, there" cried one man excited
ly. you going to let these fellows do
your fighting? Get into line with them
get into line. Don't be slackers"
''Eh. slackers! Yeh. slackers" i'm
mediately burst out in derision-
The cry drew hundreds OF pedestrians
The shout ran along again:
"Slackers! Slackers! Slackersr
Men pulled their hats OF and yelled.
and the women cheered and applauded.
Let's march to the recruiting sta
tion." sang out one Of the twenty-sight-
who's got a fiagT
A moment later a man ran to an auto-
mobile. whipped a small silk nag from
the windshield and handed II in
A bluejacket who had Joined the TWEEN
ty-eight seized the flag and. jumping to
the head of the line. started on with
them down Howard street.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
ENLISTS TO GET GOOD GRUB
Philadelphia Follows Advice OF
Marine Who Heard Plant.

PHILADELPHIA, April 9.-"AwfuI
grub, this" Private Charlie Frank, OF
the United States marines, heard his
neighbor in a quick lunch" res
taurant remark.
"Righto. bo," he said. Better
Join the marines. We get the best
food in the u. s. A"
where can 1 john" spoke up
friend neighbor. Point me the
way"
I4O9 Arch street, where John BoRgs
was registered, examined, and told
to report today for enlistment at the
good grub" table of the United
States marines.
The Washington times., 1917-04-09
Tomorrow.

Social meeting. Indiana Society. New Ebbitt.
p. m.
Meeting OF National Agriculture Society. New
Willard.
Musicale for the blind. Pavilion I. Library of
Congress. sis p. m.
Meeting of local branch Of Association of
Collegiate Alumni, New Willard.
Monthly meeting Of Washington Chamber OF
Commerce. Twelfth and F streets north
west, p. m.
Patriotic evening by Home Club Of Depart.
ment OF Interior. p. m
Bridge Whist Players meeting, Home Club.
Meeting Of Park View Citizens Association
assembly hall. Park View School Building
7:3Q D. m.
Annual Davis prize speaking contest, as
sembly hall. administration building
George Washington University, 2o23 G street
northwest. S p. m.
Masonic-IIlustrated talk before Acacia Lodge
No. IS: DeMolay Commandery. No. 4
knights Templar; Evangelist Chapter, Rose
Croix Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite;
Bethlehem ChapteE, No. !, Order of the
Eastern Star.
Odd FeIlows-Amity Lodge. No. n; Washing.
ton, No. 6, and Golden Rule, No. q; Fred
D. Stuart Encampment. No. !.
Rebekahs-Ladies' Auxiliary OF Canton Wash.
inKton, No. I.
Knights Of Pythias-Exeelsior Lodge. No. Il;
Capital, No. %; Webster. No. !. and hyr.
. tie. No. ..
The Washington times., 1917-04-09

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Your tirade against Mr.. Bryan TINS
evening is typical of what one might
expect from a tyrant.
You cruelty first the German peo-
ple for obeying the Kaiser, and, in
turn. cruelty the Kaiser for commend
ing them. Then, with impudence born
N insolence, YOU cruelty all Ameri-
cans who dare to dispute with our
President in times of peace.
In your inconsistency, you strive to
dethrone rulers OF Europe, while you
srtbrone them here. Mr.. Bryan is, OF
course, too big a man to notice you
smau fry. However. he has set a
good example for all weak-hearted
editors who will not enlist.
You should read the Constitution
Of our country. and swear allegiance
to il. and, at the same time, make a
solemn promise to try to be decent
while writing OF other Americans.
r. E. JONES.
Washington, April :.