davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
General Leman

We have had so many heroes IN this
war most of them holding the world stage
only for a few hours. that il is but nat
ural that one of the first should be Tor
gotten. Thus the final liberation Of the
defender of Liegc seems likely to awaken
little interest in world thinking in terms
of current battles and coming campaigns.
Yet General Leman will, beyond all
doubt fare better in history than most ol
his successors to world attention. HIS
spirit, his courage, his determination
made the first resistance to the German
food the immortal thing that it was. lie
frst held the gate; like the Spartans at
Thermopylp he failed, but like their taiI-
ure his will remain one of the glorle5 oi
human history.
Like the Spartans. too, Leman Gld not
surrender; the victors dug him, stu un-
conscious, from the ruins of his shattered
fort. And those who found him found
soldier still unbeaten, the heroic lieutenant
of one Of the bravest of soyereigns. Inc
defence Of Liege will be remembered when
two-thirds Of the now famous battles OF
this war are forgotten-and with the de-
fence the name of the defender will also
persist We have forgotten already who
captured the Belgian town, but those who
were alive in August, 1914, and those who
hereafter will read Of those great days
will never forget the man who first faced
the latest barbarian hordes in the doomed
and decaying forts along the Meuse.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Thirty.three Overcoats.

We never had much opinion as chllG
of that Biblical land rcputed to be flow
ing with milk and honey. 1t always ap-
pealed to our youthful imagination as a
very sticky and musSy prospect. Honey
in due scale was admirable and so was
milk when properly confined to its bowl
or tumber. But to slop about in such
things was another matter.
The same attitude recurs as we con-
template Diamond Jim's clothes rack. 1t
may be all right to have Al evening dress
vests-what commuter who has packed
his own suitcase would not give his king
dom for just one upon occasion! And
SO overcoats, Or II pairs of shoes. OF
course, Mr.. Brady did not wear all his
overcoats at once. Yet that is somehow
the picture that comes to mind-of a
bent figure toiling YEARLY through
careful schedule Of pleasure buried be
meath a small mountain OF clothes About
his person clanked chains of diamonds, il
you will.
There was the same point in a subtler
vein, for a rariiied atmosphere, in little
story called "Things" written several
years ago by Mrs. Alice Duer Miller. A
proper enough wife and mother, with the
noblest aims and finest outlook. wrestled
herself into a nervous decline by devOt-
ing her mind TO the wealth of details
which her large, comfortable and elab
crate life cntailed. Her pursuit was high
living rather than pleasure. Yet the re-
suit was identical. She could not sec the
high living for the immediate mass Of
things. She was swamped in the scenery,
quite as the Shakespeare play disappears
in q Beerbohm Tree production.
Is the necessary moral a reversion to
the simplest life. one overcoat, a Green
wich Village garret and VI. jacques
Copeau in the managers chair? For most
folk, as for most plays, yes. There comes
along, from time to time, a great master
Of pleasure, of much money, Belasco of
detail who can somehow keep the play
going through an appalling clutter Of
things. But he is the rare exception, let
us make no mistake. For most humans
there is nothing so devastating and death
dealing as too much of anything. 1t is
far easier to become great man with no
overcoat than with hirty-three-which
may sound cold philosophy for snowy,
warful winter, but is sad truth none the
less
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Making Midas Mistake
This Country Is Heaping Up Gold,
Instead of Goods for Use

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t has been generally supposed that
what the economists call the mercantile
theory" Of trade or prosperity was exploded
in the eighteenth century, but it would seem
to have survived in the United States, if one
is to Judge from the summary of the annual
report OF the Bureau of Foreign and Do
mestic Commerce published in The Tribune
Of Tuesday.
The headlines say. America Gains Flnan-
cal Pinnacle in Three Years. Volume Of
Foreign Trade Shows Phenomenal Increases
The basis OF this statement is the fact that
"since 1914 the flow of gold has been stead
iiy toward the United States, until one-third
of the worlds visible supply is held here.
Also, net imports OF gold have amounted IN
three years to Sl,11J,0000O0" Our exports
ir 1917 were the unprecedented sum OF
s629f000, ,0O0" and our imports were $3.50
100000, and the belief is confidently eX-
dressed that this phenomenal prosperity will
continue after the war.
So intimately is money associated with
wealth that it is almost impossible for the
average man to realize that money, though
the equivalent OF wealth, is not. in fact,
wealth. or If it is wealth. it is so because
Of its power of being converted into real
wealth-that is. things capable Of human
consumption, capable OF satisfying the pri-
mary wants OF human existence in the first
place and Of providing comforts and luXuries
in the second It is difficult to realize that
though the more money a single individual
has the Weather he is, because he can ap-
propriate so much more OF the goods to be
obtained with money, it is not the case that
the more money whole people has the
Weather il ia. The true measure of the
wealth of nation is the quantity of goods
IL possesses; the more goods il can produce
for consumption, either directly or by pur-
chase the richer the whole population is. To
measure the prosperity Of country not By
the amount of consumable goods it possesses
but by the amount of metal il imports in
exchange for such goods is to mistake the
shadow for the substance. Here the precious
metals, instead of being regarded as a means
Of obtaining wealth, are regarded as an end
in themselves
A bitter commentary on this crazy phi
losophy is that under such circumstances at
the present time, were IL not for the active
intervention of the government, the poorer
classes would find il almost impossible to
obtain the prime necessities of life.
The moral is that the true basis of inter
nstional trade is that a country shall ex.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Concert Conversation

Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The letter in your paper discussing
the click of knitting needles and the clack Of
tongues brings to mind a story told by an
old music teacher Of mine. II would seem 70
ccincide with "Brooklynite's" statement in his
letter Of December 10, that the clicking Of
there is any of knitting needles is infinitely
TO be preferred to the clacking of tongues.
A. a series Of concerts given by soma
musical genius two women occupied the
same seats, down front, each week. Their
incessant chatter was a source of great
annoyance TO the conductor. SO he arranged
plan for their downfall
In order TO hear well, above the orchestra,
these women spoke. in high pitched voices.
So the conductor waited one day until their
Tongues were waggiEg, and at most un-
expected place in the rendition of piece
gave the signal and the music stopped short
One of the women was just screaming TO the
Other, I'VE fry ours in lard"
MAUD KIRSHAW.
Brooklyn, Dee. 10, 1917.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Prohibition
The Federal Amendment and The 1ribuneS V'e~ o. II
Discussed By Our Readers

influence has been felt all over the world m
the changed view and theories that followed.
At the last annual meeting Of this society
in November. in New York City II declared
that the disease Of inebriety and the ehee's
Of alcohol on the brain and body were prac'
ticaHy settled; that science recognized tnl8
in all its teachings and literature. u az
Grmed that these studies showed range o.
causes back of the saloon, and the hrst use
OF alcohol. and that this was the new heiu
for Investigation. Il resolved TO take up inc
work begun AZ Hartford by the secretary OIL
the society, DR.. Crothers. and make % me
central purpose Of future investigation. Ih..
work il the scientific study OF range o.
causes included under the following His''
hcredity and the transm ission OF oeIec'S
from parents TO children; second inc I"'
auonce Of foods. nutrition and diet in in
fancy and later life and the effects oi IN
fcctious diseases in childhood; third, in
irrioq from, blows on tho head, and shocks
10 all parts Of the body. and severe menta'
and nhvsical strains followed By exhaustion
and debility; fourth. how far surroundings,
mental states. contagion, suggestion, poverty
succegs. education, or the want OF 1t, pre- D.
pared the soil which developed inebrety and
alcoholism
Along these new ranges Of studies tnere
have been gathered many interesting facts
showing that the alcoholic evil begins iaf
hack of the saloon and the first use OF alco-
bol. Driving out the saloon does nos re-
move the real causes which make alcohol 50
fascinating There undiscovered laws
and conditions which, if known. would show
the possibility Of preventing the alcoholic
scourage as positively as yellow fever was
stamped out.
The highest scientific work Of to-day u
the discovery Of these causes, and then the
means of prevention is clear and positive
Such work appeals to every one as the high
est and most practical efforts to indicate
means OF prevention and the durability OF
the army of alcoholic victims OF to-day
II is literally study of "Why Men Drink
along purely scientific lines, and is a most
practical temperance and a Humanitarian
and scientific work that promises relief and
results more startling than anything yet
attained
This work is certain TO attract great
deal of attention, and should enlist the
warmest support and Endorsement of every
one interested in this great evil.
T. d. CROTHERS, ". D.
Hartford Conn., Dec. 10, 1917.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Scientific Temperance

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The passage OF the prohibition reso-
luton in Congress will arouse a new inter
est in the attitude of physicians to the al
coholic question. The first medical society
in the world 70 take up the study of inebrety
as a disease was organized in New York
City, in 1870, with the late Dr.. Willard
Parker as president. It was called the
American Society for the Study Of Inebrety
az a Disease and It's Durability. From that
time to thc present this society has held
annual and scmi-annual meetings Cor the
study and discussion OF this subject It
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Australia and Canada
Both Democracies Face Same German
Forces Working for Anarchy

We have been too immersed in the stry7,l.
20 save Canada from the Bolsheviki "a ra,.
tnat in Australia a patriotic Union goy.,.
ment is making parallel fight against a,g
nationals and pro-German forces. Prsm;.,
Huehes's appeal 20 The Australian fo,...
which appeared in fun in yesterdays ~F,,.
Press applies with the slightest nodis..
tions 70 the situation in Canada. a. wi.,.,,
these extracts:
soldiers the time has come for pl,i.
speaking. While yoI. exposed 20 great bs,1
ships in the nerve-shattering strain Of Va,
have been heroicsliy fghtng for the cause ~
liberty and Australia, certain seetiops a,
those for whose safety you are rsking dealt
daily have been playing upon the credgli,v
ard apathy Of the citizens O, .ae commo,.
wealth. insdiou-ly and systematically noi
soning their minds by cunning lies. Boloi,y
actively promoted b. 7. W. W.-ism and Sin,
Fcinism, is doing the dirty work Of German
in Australia as in other countries.
"Thcsc men Extremists, pacifsts. 7. Wv
ncu snd Sim Feiners) pirate about Hosrig
about the rights Of labor and Of free citizen
ship and about what Australia has done. Bv,
they not only refuse to fight for liberty then.
selves, but strive by every means in their
power 20 prevent others from doing So Thsv
presume 20 speak on behalf Of labor, but ,hev
have done nothing for labor but live on 4
TLey have done nothing for Australia or for
liberty. yet they talk as IL they we're IL.
guardians. There Is only one way By which
liberty can be won or maintained. only one
way by which Australia can be kept white
ard freely fighting against Germany, ii.
c7cmy Of liberty and Australia.
Soldiers, you who have fought so gallan,y
end have endured so much In order that Al.
strala may not lose her liberty; you who
know the power Of the Hun. who understand
what the Italian reverse and the anarchy !,
Russia mean; who know how imperative. hoe
urgent is your need for reinforccments. 10
you appeal to grant the government n,
power necessary TO reinforce our divisions.
This is a war for liberty. war again,:
war. IL is fighting to finish. No middle
course is possible. Upon decisive victory De.
pends whether We are 20 be bond or free. To
defeat the enemy we must put forth all or
strength The forces arrayed against US are
not only great, but are working increasingly
to sap our strength by disseminating cunning
lies against the Allies, armies and peoples.
n every country the agents Of Germany are
.nsidiously and actively working. The De.
ruoralization of the Russian armies, the an
archy among the people and the dtbacle in
italy are due TO this sinister influence. The
failure Of voluntary recruiting in Australia
is directly due 10 its operations Il IS nov
straining every nerve. filling the peoples
minds with cunning lies 20 defeat the gov.
,rnmcnt proposal. Are you going TO allow
Sim Fein. l. ". W.-ism, paeihsts and pro
Germans in Australia 70 render vain your
sufferings, your sacrifcesT
We have had in Canada to contend against
al, the influences that Nr. Hughes invegh'
against. plus French-Csnadlan elereal'na-
tionalism.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Life Insurance and Credit

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Obviously there are many who 90 not
fully appreciate the service OF life insurance
in establishing and maintaining the credit Of
professional and business men. The twelve
Reserve banks in the United states and TIER
widely scattered members require those seek
in1 loans TO disclose the amount OF life IT.
surance carried and the name Of the bsns'
fcisry in each policy. II the replies are not
satisfactory relative to the amount OF the ln.
surance and the way the policy is drawn ana
the standing Of the company carrying the IN
sured then the loan Is not infrequently re-
fused
For many years there hSs been conflict o.
judicial decisions as TO the right OF creditors
in bankruptcy proceedings TO claim the eAsa
value where the insured has reserved the
right TO change the beneficiary under NE
insurance policy. This long mooted question
has recently been finally disposed OF ey ne
Supreme Court Of the United States. II me
right TO name a new beneficiary has been r.
served the cash value becomes subject TO ne
debts of the insured in insolvency proceed
ings. The only way 70 defeat creditors
for the insured TO waive the right to change
the beneficiary at the time Of applying i'f
the policy.
J. Pierpont Morgan reafirmed the a1omaue
truth that character is fundamental IN a.
business transactions" Surely the pureha"
of n life insurance policy discloses the CHAR
scter of loan applicant His habits, wees
or virtues are closely weighed BY the ihs'
ydual or banker who contemplates fayoraoy
the loan. II the man on woman seeking
loan carries personal life insurance il is e''
dence of thrift, enterprise, sobriety, prudence
the capacity and the wisdom to provide ie'
eventualities. Precaution is therefore
splendid virtue. Quarantines serve TO guaN
against epidemics. Fire insurance funds re-
build devastated homes. and life ins1rahes
replaces incomes of bread winners despohee
by death. Such a policy often educstes son
or daughter who otherwise might find ne
workshop the only avenue FOR toll. lnhsni'
ance laws exact heavy tolls. A life PO!J
liquidstes the debts. IL protects the credit
of the insured and the welfare OF his family
when he has passed beyond the narrow lni"
of life. EDWARD EVERETT WARNER
New York. Dec l., 1917.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21

President or on Federal judges, that would
hardly invalidate the general recall Of the
pernicious exemption which Mr.. kitchin
and the other tax slackers had hankered
after
The House would have done what the
occasion really demanded if it had re-
called the exemption from excess earn
ings and income tax which state. county
and municipal officers now enjoy. These
officers constitute an unduly favored
group in the community. They escape liza
blity to conscription. as well as liability
TO income and excess earnings taxes.
They give no special service which en-
titles them TO such immunity. Only tradi-
,ion and habit protect them. Congress
has the power to do away with the in
equality from which they profit 1t should
DO away with It. Now that the Federal
tax slackers are being mustered in, why
not 90 ahead and muster in the state tax
slackers also?
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Only Americans on Guard

SO far as the general public is con-
cerned, there is bound to be satisfaction
over the expulsion of the three Dewitt
Clinton High School teachers recently
suspended for holding views subversive
Of discipline and tending to undermine
good citizenship \ great deal of hair
splitting has been INDUCED in regarding
their case, and the issue of free speech.
so called, has been falsely, if not wilfully
and malciously, injected into it. The
claim has been made that they did not
have a free and fair trial. As to that,
they say they will reopen the matter by
certiorari proceedings, so there is no need
TO mourn over any possibility of their
being deprived of their due day in court.
The plain fact is that these teachers
belong to a certain class of citizens,
small but tremendously large vocally, who
seem able TO see all the faults of the
United States and its course in the war
and events leading up to it, but to have
had astigmatism when they looked at the
enemy. Quite possibly they said and did
nothing "treasonable." Quite possibly
they remained within the letter of the
law Yet the question existed whether
they were desirable members of the teach
ing force of this great city, and that
question was, and was bound to be, bigger
than technicalities of phrase in answer
ing questions or Of refusal to answer
any. Freedom Of speech had nothing 20
do with 1.-THE issue was one Of obliga-
ton, of duty to the city and nation
which gave them freedom, protection and
livelihood, rather than of abstract privi-
leges. What the Board of Education was
called on to decide was whether they had
been as loyal to the United States as a
soldier in the trenches would be expected
to be- If not, that body had the authority
Of the State Commissioner Of Education.
assuredly not an illiberal VI autocratic
man, for declaring that wherever they be-
longed it was not in the schools.
This action of the Bosrd of Education
is wholesome precedent. There is
every reason to believe that among the
teachers there is not only tacit disoyalty.
but active sympathy for the enemies of
the United States How either brand of
opinion would be treated in Germany
everybody knows. The United States
does not want, or need, to Prussianize
itself; but there is needed a stern repres-
sion Of half-baked theorizing, anarchist
tendencies masked under the guise Of
free criticism and a Bolshevik attitude
toward the government. Here where the
schools are filled with foreign born and
the offspring of foreigners it is particu-
larly important that they be agencies Of
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
The Winds of War-News

7 he winds of war-news change and veer.
Now westerly and full OF cheer,
Now easterly, depressing, sour
With tidines of the Teutons' power.
But thou, America, whose heart
With brave Allies has taken part.
Be not a weathercock to change
With these wild winds that shift aud
range.
Be thou compass ever true,
Through sullen clouds or skies Of blue.
To that great star which rules the night,
The star Of Liberty and Right.
Lover of peace, Oh, set thy soul,
Thy strength, thy wealth. thy conscience
whole,
To win the peace thine eyes foresee.
The triumph Of Democracy.
HENRY VAN DYKE.
New York, Dec 10, 1917.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Score One for Wisconsin
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: An honest German woman OF Neills-
Vile. Wis, says:
'If the Germans here don't like America
let them 90 back to Germany, where the
poor people live like swine. 1t took me three
years to save enough money to get to this
country, and | had to borrow a little then
10 get ticket for the trip. The people
there wear wooden shoes, held on by a strap
across the top, and / wore pair when |
came here; but | saved enough out of my
first weeks wages TO buy a pair of leather
ones. That was more than | could save in
month in Germany They live like hogs
over there, whole families in two small
rooms, where they dress and undress before
each other II seemed like heaven when
got to America and had room all to myself
THE American people have treated me
fine, and never once made me feel like a
lickspittle, as the rich people do in Germany.
The German people here must not take the
American courtesy and forbearance for fear
or cowardice-no, sir. or they will get an
awful bump soon. ! know the American
reserve and strength better than most peo-
pie Of my nationality. | think they have
given Us every chance in the world to get
along and prosper and it is mean and dirty
thing now TO go to Dragging and eneourag-
ing our country's enemy. Germany, a coun-
try that is so conceited that it thinks il can
run the world. Germany is the worst place
in the world for a person TO live, and I
would as soon be in hell this minute as to 90
back where | came from in Germany"
Wisconsin has its Teutonic troubles. but
this German woman is not one OF them
L. B. RING.
Neillsville, Wis. Dec. 4. 1917
New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Free Travel for Soldiers

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Would it be possible 70 interest l''
in behalf Of the soldier getting free tnns'
portation when getting furlough home' 10
me it does not seem right or just that '''
lads should pay out the little money they r'
after giving up home, loved ones, and the"
lives for humanity's sake. What would W
country do without those brave lads! "h'
would protect US? II is the soldier that i''''
the most deadly weapon and does II brave.
who will or can ever repay them for what W, w
do and will do? Few look at II IN the 10.
the writer does. for the heart Is IN hs' -
peal. Give the soldiers all We can |hae W.
us-the outlook is black for them.
Ny only lad and support enlisted s''Is ~,
three years ago. lie may get furloUsn' -
to get 10 me it will take every penny We 81
get together to defray expenses Of the VIZ
There are many more in the same pos'''s
Ny appeal is for all non-commissioned m..
and privates who are unfortunately poor pVs'
because they have given up good p@yn. %
sitions (ss in my ease), leaving depenasHT..
struggle with advanced age and frail 0VU,,d
II would not be quite so bitter II they W.
only remain on United States soil
Police and iiremen are exempt iron -.
fare in this city, understand, but "e !,
diers while at the Preside were eApeeNe
pay full fare. Carfare. small as u is' eVS.
quickly. With food prices beyond the i.s ,s.,
Of the priyate's pay, il is the poor ia@''!
feels this so keenly, not the rich msn.
c. JANE De GRooi'
Oakland, Cal, Dec. 8, 1917. At