davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

volunteers will be able TO harden themselves
for the work.
The state and the nation should help in
this movement Individual employers in the
city can help by encouraging men in their
employ to take this step and by promising
to keep their places open for them. be-
leve that this is an entirely practical plan.
Columbia University has already organ
lied farm bureau. We have already placed
several men on farms The food situation is
so serious that the university authorities have
offered full college credit for men going into
this branch of national service on the same
basis as those going into the military
branches. We have sent twenty boys into
their respective counties and are ready to
place men who volunteer. will be glad to
receive suggestions or inquiries in regard to
this plan. JOSEPH II. BROWN,
Chairman Farm Bureau, Columbia University.
New York. April %, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
The Civil War Failure
Not Volunteers Themselves but the
System at Fault

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Tho letter from Past Commander
George Il. Loud in Mondays Tribune calls
for a sympathetic elucidation of the purpose
and spirit Of universal training as under
stood by us who arc working for IT. particu-
larry with reference to what may be called
its emergency phase, the draft.
The viewpoint OF Commander Loud VIII
he appreciated by all who understand the
IGNORED traditions OF the Grand Army. The
veterans of 1861 remember CONSUMPTION as
the tarred rope that marked the slacker-or,
worse. the paid substitute Of the rich Stacker
of those days Very logically, the Civil
War draft has conferred stigma upon all
whom IL touched because-and here is where
American democracy proves its development
the draft of the COS was not, as IS the
present one, a universal draft. 1t bears the
same relation to the universal service OF
modern America that the divine night OF
kings does to manhood suffrage. The volun-
teors Of 1861 did not fail, Commander Loud
Whoever says they did is not worthy of his
national heritage But volunteering as
system, did fail. The patriotic men who re-
sponded to the country's need did their part;
il was the unpatriotic, selfish men who shield
ed their yellow bodies behind the wearers
OF the blue that caused the failure of the
volunteer system. The great fortunes OF
Chicago were founded during the Civil War
by the men who stayed at home. The SOL
diers' homes Of the country are filled by the
men who went to war
In none of our great wars have the men
whose sense Of duty translated itself into
action been sufficient for the needs OF de-
fence Even in the Revolution Massachusetts,
and Virginia rcsorted to drafting in 1777,
within two years of the opening Of the war.
II is because we would avoid repeating the
injustice to our men OF patriotic soul that
we seek to commence drafting at the very
outset of this war. 1t is perfectly true that
there is connotation Of bravery and patriot
ism in the word volunteer. That is as 1t
should be; and there is nothing in the meas
ures before Congress that would deprive a
single man in the country of his chance to
become a volunteer. Universal service is
merely the bayonct at the back Of the slack
er; the real patriot will be in Khaki before
ever the recruiting sergeant reaches his door
And, by the way, why isn't he in Khaki now?
As certainly as history repeats itself we
will have to come to drafting before the war
has run its course Let US do il now, in such
an intelligent and efficient manner that its
application will be an education in true de-
mocracy. c. W. NlEMAN.
New York. April 90, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Let the Nation Buy Land
tor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: | believe that some of the enormous
resources for waging war which it heartens
US to hear are possessed by the nation should
be used as a direct means to prevent the food
shortage which is feared. The government
should rent or buy large areas Of tillable
land, now lying unused, and bring them to the
highest point of cultivation, producing and
distributing crops of potatoes and grain for
the consumption of the people.
The Department of Agriculture should be
able to direct such work, and the county
agents, doing such fine work in so many
states, should be able to give valuable as
sistance.
Appeals to the individual to plant for the
nation" will have small effect, as even when
enthusiastically inclined and broad minded
enough to respond to such appeal, ques-
tons of expense and labor prohibit an in
creased production.
IMOGEN HAWTHORNE.
Georgetown. Conn, April 81. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Field Training or a Jobp
ditor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: | am an engineer by profession 7
have in my pocket an application to the Chief
of Engineers, U. S. A., for examination for
commission in the Engineer Officers
Reserve Corps. | am training with the
College Mems Training Corps. If I leave
my position to take the three months
field training required for a commission |
shall receive no compensation from my en-
ployers and, according to this mornings pa
per- none from the government.
In addition shall have to supply my own
uniform and other incdentals. How am
to meet my financial obligations during those
three months? II l should be fortunate
enough to receive a commission at the end
of that time would be taken care of by the
government, but what if | should be re-
iected? 1t is my understanding that my en-
ployers will not hold open my position if |
leave. Shall | take such long chance,
with the prospect of being out of job for
months after the middle of August?
ADELBERT c. EASTBURN.
Yonkers, n. Y, April 20, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Green Men Worth Little
Farm Workers Needed Who Have
Had Experience

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: We have heard much of the food scar
citv and the farm labor shortage. 1t is truly
a serious problem Few of US here in the
citv can fully realize the situation. have
lived on a farm for the best part OF twenty
four years. / have visited several sections
of the state this spring and have Just re-
turned from my home in Orange County.
was So fortunate as to be there on April 2l
Farmers DAY. | talked with many of the
leading farmers and with the manager OF
the County Farm Bureau. ! feel that IN
general way | know the situation.
The farmer is in desperate need of help
mean efficient experienced help. He IS
doing his best to meet his obligation TO the
nation. but he must have help. Various plans
have been proposed in the city to meet tne
situation. One advocates the wholesale ship
ment OF idle men u the country, another al
vocates CONSUMPTION Of bartenders' taXl-drlV-
ers. walters, etc, as farming army, thiru
would like to see the rich non-producers en-
Gagged in tilling the soil The intention Is
splendid. but the plans themselves are dan
oorous as see the situation. Previous
krovledoe and experience are at premium
on the farm in this day no less than IN any
other enterprise. We should keep expo
enced men and experts in their own Helu''
Failure to do this will cause a grave situa-
tion. The farmer needs labor, but shlpping
green men, many of them unwilling 10 WORK.
to the country will accomplish little IN inc
way of food production and Will tend 70 an
tagonize the farmers.
have a plan which | believe has some
merit and is to be preferred to those above.
| should like to have it considered and criH-
cised. Let US call for volunteers from the
ranks of the men who have had farm eXpe-
rience. The number of sons Of farmers IN
the city is amazing. Most Of them have good
general knowledge of farming. Why not APP
neal 10 them on the basis Of patriotism and
national service to leave their desks and
offices and return to the plough for the sum-
mer at least? The men are familiar with farm
conditions and could be easily assimiated
into the farm labor supply. By reason OF
their previous experience they would be
snapped up in no time by the progressive
farmers. They would be able to do real farm
work and give valuable assistance in the
present crisis.
True. most Of them would be soft. but there
is still month before the heaviest season of
farm work opens. In this interval they would
have time to harden their muscles and would
then be able to give the farmer three or four
months Of efficient assistance and return to
the city in the fall in the finest health. They
would form real army of fighting farm
ors." such as our histories tell of in Revo-
lutionary times, but fit alike for farm or
ofice work Let US then call for farm vol
rnteers from the ranks of the farmers sons
who have come to the city. Let US do this
quickly so that the farmer will know on
how much help he can count, and 30 that the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
In Defence Of the Cat

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In his letter in yesterdays Tribune,
headed "Kill the Cat" Mr. Harsell quotes
John Burroughs as saying: 81 believe the
preservation Of birds demands the non-pres
crvation Of cats" Do Mr.. Burroughs and Mr..
Harsell think that natural history began YES
terday? Since Nineveh and Thebes, at least,
and probably long before, cats and birds have
been in the world. What is the use Of telling
us that they cannot both live when we know
that for thousands of years they have done
so? And that without bird protection from
man. No refugees, no sanctuary, no closed
seasons. The birds protected themselves and
the cats protected themselves, and there are
millions Of both in the world to-day.
By the way, was it cats that exterminated
the passenger pigeon, the Labrado- duck and
some other varieties of birds? The worst
enemy of bird life is man, but as it is net
considered desirable to exterminate him he
seems to think that the "most self-respectng,
the most charming, the most lovable Of
beasts" will make good scapegoat.
You are no doubt familiar with Calverley's
verses:
Men prize the hearlless nouHu 'h"I dui''
dry-eyed his native land,
Who wags a mercenary tail and licks ty-
rants hand.
The leal true cat they prize not, that If
Ger compelled TO roam,
Still flies, when let out Of the bag. prec:pi-
lately home.
Should china fall, or chandeliers, or anything
but stocks
Nay. stocks when they're in flower pots, the
cat expects hard knocks!
Should ever anything be missed-books, Goals,
umbrellas. brandy
The cats pitched into with boot or any
thing that's handy"
NJ A. HOWARD.
Anesea -on Cayuga. n. Y, April p, 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
The Anti-Conscriptionist

Candor is one of Speaker Clarks most
engaging qualities. There is often a reck-
less frankness in what he says which in
creases respect for him as a man at the
expense of respect for him as politician.
Nothing could be more illuminatlve OF
the spirit behind the anti-conscription ca
bal in Congress than this remark OF the
Speaker yesterday to delegation repre-
senting the National Security League;
"The War Department is jumping around
trying to bulldoze people into passing this
bill. but | don't think they are going to do
it." Here is an impulsive admission of the
real animus of the fight in the House
against CONSUMPTION. It's controlling mo-
tive, as The Tribune pointed out some days
ago. is antagonism TO rational and modern
military policies in so far as these policies
have their origin with the General Staff of
the army.
This inheritance of cheap provincalism
and unworthy prejudice is the chief OBJ
stacle in the House to-day to the adoption
of conscripton. As far as military expe-
diencv goes. no serious argument can now
be made in favor of retaining the volunteer
ing system. Il am for letting the flower
and youth of this country volunteer before
we fasten the disgrace of draft on them
says Speaker Clark. But this is nothing
but fustian. Great Britain was a long
time coming to CONSUMPTION. But as Lieu
tenant General Bridges, Of the visiting
British commission, said yesterday in
Washington, "the English people are be-
coming almost fanatical about it now"
They listened TO prophets like Speaker
Clark and Chairmen Hay and Dent At
present their only regret is that they did
not discard all anti-conscription nonsense
earlier
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

having defeated and turned back the par
barian food, pinned it to the trenches
blocked every successive attempt to retake
the road to Paris and finally transformed
the German blow into an inert German
occupation of French territory Behind
trench lines two armies faced each other
while time was allowed to the English
to raise an army, to transform themselves
into a military nation and to begin the
campaign which we now see going for
ward
There was lacking to Jofre the num-
bers and the resources to make immediate
" complete his great victory Of the Marine
but what is happening to-day in France
the ebb tide Of German occupation-is an
inevitable. if delayed, consequence Of his
great victory. The blow that was to crush
France forever was parried at the Marine.
The gigantic thrust that was TO win world
mower was blocked between MeauX and
VitryLe-Francois. Naunoury, d'Esperey'
Foch. able Iieutenants Of supreme COM
nrander: Garitni, the heroic governor OF
Paris: Sarrail the defender of Nerdun;
de Castelnau, the savior Of Nancy and
later of Verdun-thcse did their part To
them enduring fame is assured. But to
JofTre now and hereafter the first praise
must fall
Americans viii welcome Marshal Joffre
as a soldier Of France and as the victor
Of the Marine. They viii welcome him
now in the light OF the growing conscious
ness Of the fact that had he failed in the
last days Of August and the first days Of
September, 1914, all that we love and hold
TO Of democracy and Of civilization might
have been destroyed by that barbarism
which is writing its shame indelibly over
the fairest cities and fields Of France and
in Belgium has renewed the horrors Of
the Dark Ages
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Chained to Our Needs
Mental Advancement Retarded b.
Struggle to Live
To the Editor Of No Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: A short letter in your issue Of April
10, written by Mr. Amos PinchOt, hn a.
tracted my attention and interest.
The average life at present is rathG sr'
cumscribed existence. The great mas a
people are up against this unbeatable pf'ia'
sition, that they cannot advance mentalJM
cause of the struggle for a bare eIiisa's
and they cannot gain in the struggle BE-
cause of lack in mental equipment 10 'iia
words, humanity is so chained to It's pkysia
needs that its mental and spiritual proSF'"
is greatly hampered. 1t is my opinion u"
the chains are golden.
Wise people have given up hope OF asEfs
men equal. II can't be done. But men al
be made free and opportunities equsL
present men are only free and OpPOrt1hIus
equal in dreams. But these ideals can
realized.
Supposing that each individual in the con-
try should receive weekly salary OF 81 |"
each year of his or her age up to nan
mum Of S25 or $50 or S35 a week; suPp0'@
that this money should be good only io'
year from the date Of issue; supposing 'a'-
in order to insure that this sum would Cow
the necessities Of life, all the food, elo'nas
housing and transportation industries Sa'
operated or regulated by the goyernns''
supposing that a real national employn'"
system was devised to insure to eaea ~.
vidual constant employment at ta'A
under conditions that were eohs'-.
wouldn't that combination produce ires' .
and more equal opportunities than OUT p
ent hand-to-mouth public economy nj
Eating, dressing, sleeping well sls - a.,
functions. They have their place. Ba' ~, ~
do not contribute to the advance OF ei,'. n
ton. Flowers, animals and savagis >.
these Just as well as anybody. u
thoughts. feelings, conversations arr ~,
work and play of men and na'iOn' =,
bring us closer to each other aii0
future state. a, re
The above suppositiOns are based .. y.
decomposition that each individua 4.
preston Of divinity and must ul''Fn ~ -.
tain perfection. If this is not true , v
would not work. DA'iO
New York. April 20, 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
A Prohibitionist's Misconceptions

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: George T. Rowells statement in The
Tribune of April 20, that zone of the reasons
vbv Russia and France have been able to
nut I'D such wonderful resistance against
German invasion lies in the fact that IN the
beginning of the war by a single stroke the
manufacture and sale of drink was prohibit
cd which act conserved the full strength Of
the soldiers, while an enormous saving was
made in the money that came into the treas
uries of these countries that heretofore had
been largely wasted" is inaccurate bosh.
Drink" is a very indefinite word. The
manufacture and sale of wine goes on as
.usual in France. although the cafes may have
corIier closing hours, and the poilu gets his
red wine quite regularly The German SOL
dicr also gets his beer and perhaps it will
bo acknowledged he also has shown some
"wonderful resistance" A British commits
sion recently reported that the Tommies
wore better satisfied in the trenches when
,bov were able to get their beer from the
canteen.
Increased bank deposits are phenomenon
peculiar to war, as everybody, including Mr..
Rowcll. must know, and even the German
savings banks have shown marked increases.
The prohibs should have better sense than
TO quote France as an example of prohibit
tion for here every one gets his red wine
twice a day, and in all wine drinking coun-
tries dyspepsia and digestive troubles are
almost unknown. TEMPERATE.
No,, Nork ApriI 81 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Ready to Enlist for Farming

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: After having seen the idea of one
woman entitled zone Who Would Farm-A
Woman Ready to Shoulder the Hoe if Land
Is Available" / wish to say that this is exact
ly my idea from a womans point of view.
am a stenographer in New York City, but
was born and bred on a farm and would
like very much to get back to it. I am writ
ing the Department of Agriculture. Albany,
y. Y, to inquire how ! may enlist to help
my country. ANOTHER READY"
New York, April 20. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

hitting relaxation Of these safeguards
only under definite restrictions for short
periods.
This country cannot afford TO overlook
the lesson there learned, and there Is no
need for repeating that mistake. New
York State cannot be more concerned
about preparation AMI national safety
than the Federal authorities. There Is no
use in going beyond what they recommend
Somebody - perhaps greedy employers -
might profit. but it wouldn't be the nation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
The War and Socialism

FROM The Detroit Journcp
The war has advanced socalistic doc
trincs. 1t has done more than all the move
mcnts Of peace times to rebuff and control
and weaken what the socialists call the CAPT
talistic element.
Nevertheless, the bitterest opponents Of
the war are our socialist leaders They arc
less reconcied TO war than the so-called
pro- Germans. Why? There is a possible
explanation. The agitation of sociaistic
doctrines provided many men with profess
sions. with livelihood. Their profit was in
an established order in which agitation
could be continued endlessly. Their profit
was disturbed or threatened where agitation
had nothing against which to agitate The
world is moving too fast along their own
lines for them 70 adjust themselves. We
find them now our most vociferous reaction
aries
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
M. Painleve and Aviation

'FrOW Tho Wt'tmin7tcr GdtfftfI
II is TO NJ. Painlev6, by the way, that France
owes. to very great extent, her rapid prog
rcss in the study OF aviation. His scientific
mind led him % believe in the future of the
aoroplane when the rest OF the world was
making jokes at the expense Of Wilbur
Wright and Of Santos-D umont, and so far
back as 1909 he began the formulation of a
scheme by which an "ar service" was to be
added to the French army. II is fortunate
that his enthusiasm was so wisely directed
Cor we in this country gave little enough en-
enlargement to aviation, and if the new
science had been left to grow up unaided We
might have been long way from winning
that command Of the air" of which We have
heard so much.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Identity This Hero

To the Editor OF The Tribune .,,,,
Sir: Is there not some means Of % 49,
ing the name Of that valOrOus American ~ y,
ing in France. the Texan VINO %. hear ~
honor of being the first man 70 :, o.
stars and Stripes in the world w.
battle Of Vimy Ridge! ...,v AZ
His name should be known " - AZ %
honOred as are the names OF 50 "'"'
national heroes. ARR o.
The glory Of being the first TO ss u
Glory to a new victory was ne ~. % sSss
many of his cOuntrymen "0' Lbs.
I Pinehurst. N. C.. April is. 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

From Editorial in COHier'Sl
On our side it is consideration of sentiment that
makes us wish that the President would decide send troops
to France We this and 1t is real war, and
it must wagd with the earnesness and unanmity of armed
forces and civilians alike which is essential national
Nothing could bring the reality of the present struggle OF
republics and liberal governments Of the world against
kaserism before American people the fact that
is sharing dangers and herosm of the French battle line
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

Won can purchase merchandise advertised
in THE TRIBUNE with absolute sai''H- -.
4 dissatisfaction results in any case ~,
TRIBUNE guarantees to pay your money 0 ,'.N
upon request No rcd tape. Ne au'ool,ns. w, we
make GOOD promptly If the advertiser does not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

49,, =, ~. roe.o~r, q, Nrr yO-t /" s"'"aa O. @''
N Ma. Mat.sr
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-02-02
REMEMBERS WHEN EGGS
WERE 3 CENTS A DOZEN

Macon, Mo-. Feb. 2.-"People who
complain of paying cents apiece
fer eggs think they are in hard
luck" remarked J. II. Wright, one
Of The county's pioneers, "but l can
tell you we thought times were n
eocd deal woxse in the sos, when
eggs were selling at cents doz-
en-" he said. II remember one day
of taking a basket of the incest egcs
ever laid to old Bloomington and Of
fering them to the merchant there.
When he told me he cculd get all
the eggs he wanted at cents doz-
en- and wouldn't pay any more ] took
mine back hcme.
Those were what you call real
hard times, as far as money was
concerned. People raised lots more
stun on the farm, but couldn't get
anvthing for II because there was
no way to get 1t to market.