davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Willing to Sell Out

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: | read with great interest that the
first public utility TO be taken over would
be the Consolidated Gas Company.
Does Mr.. Hylan know the history of the
gas company in Philadelphia?
Does he know that Philadelphia had a
very expensive experience with the owner.
ship of that gas company, and that the city
made a good bargain in renting it to the
United Gas Improvement Company, which
sells gas cheaper than the city could ever
do and gives a better service?
| am a director of a gas company in
greater New York and have money invested
in il, 10 my sorrow. | would be glad 70 sell
out at cost 20 the city rather than TO con-
tinue to manage a public utility company
under the present incompetent Public Ser
vice Commission-s body Of men who don't
seem to consider the investor but forget that
it will be impossible for these utility COM
panies TO attract capital.
We are forced now to sell gas to the city
for IS cents a thousand cubic feet which
actually costs 95 cents TO produce.
Is this justice, | ask? No wonder that
the securities OF greater New York public
utility companies sell at such low prices: il
provement or extension.
A great deal Of blame belongs to the Pub
lie Service Commission, which does not seem
TO have the necessary courage TO take a
stand for what is just and right, but is
afraid of certain newspapers. A.
Brooklyn, Dec. 3, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

past have been largely matter of wrang-
ling among the cooks.
Mr. Fitzgerald has in many ways lived
up to the high traditions of Samuel D.
/ Randall. He has been a stanch fighter
/ for economy and order. He seemed for
long time to be pleading and arguing to
associates absolutely insenstiye TO his APP
peals for a return to sound fiscal methods.
Now the force Of public opinion is joined
TO the persuasive influence of the Admin
istration in advocacy Of budget reform. 1t
is a pity that Mr.. Fitzgerald should not
have felt at liberty to continue his SER
vice in the House long enough TO see his
theories triumph.
He should have been named as chairman
iof a reorganized Appropriations Committee
and should have been charged with the
duty Of putting into effect the new system
of centralized control (really the old House
system revived. But though he retireS
from Congress he may at least look back
with satisfaction on the valiant work he
did there TO combat Reorganization and
extravaganza.
/ Another chairman will be named, we
hope equal to him in energy and public
spirit. The country will need full sized
man to restore the authority of the con-
soiidated Appropriations Committee and
TO start in Congress with the Senates CO.
operation) that work of coordination
through which Senator Aldrich, ten years
ago. expected to achieve a net annual saw
ing in Federal appropriations of 80
ner cent
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
The Demnition Total Appalls

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The press condemnation OF the Fusion
Committees extravaganza sounds hollow.
Page ads, primers in words of one syllable
for the proletariat, editions de luxe of de-
partmental reports. and aesthetic posters are
not to be had for a song! While the money
was flowing no one said word, not even
the editors who knew Of it as we'll as every
one else. It is the "demnition total" that
appalls US.
The explanation is simple. Some we'll
meaning but misguided finsnciers convinced
the Mayor, who had better sense of the
state of the public mind than they had, that
he must run in the interests of good gov
eminent Later they found that they had
led him into trap. The barrage was on
both sides of him; he could neither advance
nor retire. Being good sports. they put up a
dollar drumfre TO annihilate the Tammany
trenches and force General Hylsn into the
open. They did not succeed, but they did
their best.
There is talk OF legislative investigation
for the purpose Of framing a law TO prohibit
a repetition of the offence. In the name Of
all the gods, who will want to repeat IL?
One experience like this is enough. The
men who enabled the city to get it are en-
titled TO our cordial thanks. They have
proved that the Mayoralty cannot be bought,
however else it may be gained.
MARTIN MINK.
Riyerdale, y. Y, Dec 4, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
A Christmas Appeal for the Children
of Belgium

To the Editor of The Tribune.
SIR. There has been no Thanksgiving IN
Relqiun, this year and there will be no
Christmas for the population generally, but
tho Dollar Christmas Fund, of which | am
treasurer is working hard for the fourth
wear to make Christmas Day little less
gloomy for a million poor children.
DESPITE government grants of money and
the noble efforts of the Commission for Re
lief in Belgium, five millions Of the people
over there are obliged to exist on one-third
of q soldiers ration per day. As usual, the
little children, the young mothers and the
aged are the chief sufferers.
The United States and Allied governments
are loaning Belgium a sum of money which
permits the purchase OF as much food as
the available shipping facilities can trans
port to Belgium, but the amount is wofuily
inadequate. This winter most of the coal
produced in Belgium has been carried to
Germany, and all signs indicate Belgium even
now has reached her darkest hour.
Americans are asked TO follow the example
of the British, who are contributing gener-
ously to the Christmas gift for the children.
There are still local supplies Of food to be
bought in Belgium, and our committee has
arranged with the Commission for Relief in
Belgium to cable all money received to their
agents in Brussels, who will undertake the
work of purchase and distribution of food 10
supplement the meagre official allowance Of
most necessitous little ones on Christmas
Day. II Britain can donate generously TO so
good a cause, surely We Americans, who for
so long were immune from the sacrifices Of
war, can do likewise. The sentiment behind
the Christmas gift is one which We know
from previous experience is as much yalued
by the stricken people as the gift itself, and
nerves them TO endure unexampled trials
while waiting for the day Of de iverancc.
ANY sums addressed TO me as treasurer Of
the Dollar Christmas Fund care. OF Henry
Clews & Co., bankers, Broad street, New
York, will be gratefully acknowledged. The
same representative committee as in previ-
Gus years Joins with ne in begging you not
10 forget the Be sian Riddles this Christmas.
They need your help and Christian sympathy
more than ever. Help US to cable on Christ
mas Eve a sum worthy Of the United States.
With your aid We believe we shall exceed
the British contribution. prodigal though II
may be for country which has been fighting
and enduring from the start.
HENRY CLEWS.
New York, Dec. /, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Malignant Neutrality
mics.

There are Unionists in Ireland who
are beginning to find some consolation in
the persistent activities of the republic
element. Their opinion is that as long
as those who threaten second rebellion
can be kept out of actual mischief their
clamor can do nothing but good
1T has aicnated," says "The irish
Times" with obvious satisfaction, every
one of the powers which are now fighting
for the freedom of the world. France
and Italy, and the little kingdoms which
they have helped to save from extinction,
have nothing but contempt for the Irish
men who turned their backs on Belgium
and Serbia Sim Fem has contrived to
do in a few months what all the oppo-
nents of Irish nationalism have failed TO
do in a hundred years; it has forced the
United States to appreciate the British
case against political agitation in Ire
land"
That may be true enough, but 1t must,
however, be recognized that the leaders
of the new movement have gone ahead
with their eyes open. The older type OF
Home Rulers, of course, regard the de-
cision as fatal, but it is clear that 1t was
taken deliberately, the supposition being
presumably that Ireland was strong
enough to dispense with the traditional
sympathy of America. 1t must, more
over. be recognized that the followers oil
Mr.. de Valera and those associated with
him have abundant confidence in the wis
dom of their leaders.
1t is evident that German victory
would be more profitable to Sim Fem
than German defeat, since voice at
the peace conference is what the leaders
are counting upon. Sim Fein has helped
Germany and plotted more or less openly
with the Kaiser's agents; the leaders have
reioiced over the Italian disaster as tri-
umph for their cause, and they have
hailed the Germans as their gallant al
lies" Clearly what is meant is only that
those who fight beside Great Britain are
for the time being enemies, but it would
be difficult to explain that after the war
In dealing with Germany no explanation
would be necessary, since Sim Fem has
been of manifest service TO the German
cause.
Mr.. de Valera, Mr.. John MacNeill and
the rest know well enough, therefore, that
after the war they cannot expect to be
received with much warmth by the Allies.
1t remains to be seen, however, whether
they are strong enough to stand alone, or
whether an opportunity will come for
another rebellion, whether international
recognition for an Irish republic can be
won by those who now call themselves
neutrals, but who, with regard to the Al
lies, have proved themselves malignant
neutrals.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Suffrage a War Measured
New York, Dec. /, 1917.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: May | be enlightened on one poin'
How is it that when the anti-sufrsgiss
fought the ballot being given to women u.
suffragists called us "dogs-in-the- mangeh
and told US that while some Of US might W
pose voting as individuals we had no nsi'
TO prevent other women from voting II tav
wished to, and assured US that II we Ola ~.
wish TO vote we did not need TO. and lsush"
at our dctum that if woman suffrage e.~'
il meant all women must vote, and yet ~ae'
have suggested that we anti-sunras,~
refrain from voting in order to snow W -
real suffrage vote in its true pseihsts'''..
list color 1 am overwhelmed with indishs"
protests! q
The names called me by the various
cialist papers in the country and the n.',
displayed by them makes me really tn'Ns
have made a good suggestion. have -.
been the recipient Of high praise from =.
other class Of papers, but that Is nos
point OF my inquiry. IL is merely; "hss ..s
become of the old cry that we VINO 'pr,s
he vote should not oppose those VINO W
20 WELD u?
do not question the loyalty OF nshy
the suffragists. | do blame them se's'.
however, for pressing an experiment ., 80
a critical period in our history s,,s
them for crowding to Washington a. . ~
when it is ditficul, to obtain quarters ','
vast army Of war workers who are sa' 49,
there. / blame them for starting .
TO nag and bother men who shouio ~
their entire time and mind free fol ~
prosecution Of the war. blame hen
terly for the insincere cry that woman -
frage Is war measureW ~wo.
ANNIE NATHAN NEf"
New York, Dee. 5, 1917. - n
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Cheape: Theatre Tickets

The present theatrical slump is worse
and more widespread in its effects thar
the depression which occurred during tho
hard winter of 1914-15. Managers are
not endeavoring to conceal the fact that
it is occasioning the gravest anxiety. il
has already given rise to several eXpedl-
onts for weathering the storm, among
them the proposal for cooperative en-
terprises-that is, theatrical productions
IN which the actors shall jointly share the
risk of production with the Managers
situation which was never contemplated
when normal seasons indicated prospect
of profit rather than loss from the venture
Still another is the suggestion that actors
agree to take half their contract-stipulated
salaries in order to keep plays going-this
IN the face of the fact that managers in
other years never suggested cutting any
profits received from partly successful
plays in order to pay full salaries TO
actors.
Such schemes will not get far. The pres
ont trouble cannot be reached by them. 1t
cannot even be reached by the payment of
the war tax on tickets by the managers,
which some producers have undertaken to
do. The plain fact is that theatrical en-
northumberland that is what most thea
treeoers seek-has SCARED in cost above
what ordinary people arc prepared to pay
For anything save some particular piece
which they have set their hearts on seeing,
Fifteen or sixteen years ago the town gave
much energy to a discussion Of the advance
in orchestra ticket prices from $3.50 to 81.
Now they are $3.50 in many theatres Bal
cony seats and gallery seats, in theatres
which have the third division, have gone
ND in proportion, although discerning man
ayers, who know that upstairs" seats fire.
quently, if not usually, show the profit on
the production, have grieved over the grad
ual thinning out Of the regulars who used
to buy these cheaper places.
The war has forced serious thoughts OF
economy on Americans-thoughts such as
this generation has never before had
Omitting the weekly visit to the theatre Is
one of the easiest and most obvious means
Ct cutting down expenditures. The man
ayers have got to meet this condition, not
only by a readjustment Of the grade and
material of their offerings, as they had to
90 in London, but in all probability by q
readjustment Of their charges. One man
ager has taken the bull by the horns and
announced what amount to cut rates fol-
certain nights each week-a franker con-
cession to the existing situation than hav.
ing his tickets peddled out through the nu,
merous cut-rate agencies.
Theatres will continue TO do business
at least, those having really interesting
entertaining or valuable productions will
and it is eminently desirable on every
count that they should. In war time the
public needs the mental relief, the stimula,
ton, even the downright nonsense Of a
good farce, for which it looks to the stage
But by all signs the public is not going
TO be as omnivorous as it has been; 1t is
Poing 10 hesitate about spending its money
! and is going TO make as certain as possible
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Buckwheat and Beans
(From The Baltimore gun)

(hTOnl The Baltimore Sum
According to a recent report from one Of
the most prolific of the buckwheat states,
there is an immense increase this year in the
buckwbeat crop. 1t is JOY news Let us hope
that the buckwheat cakes this coming winter
y III Carnish every breakfast table. 1t is to be
hoped that Mr.. Hoover will be able to take a
little time off from the arduous duty of ad-
vsinc his countrymcn TO eat less, to ordain
meatless days and wheatless days. and, in
general, TO substitute fast days for feast days,
to look after the food prohteers and see TO it
that they do not get corner on buckwheat
and boost the price.
Once there was an Eastern Sho' man who
sad that when he went TO bed knowing there
would be buckwheat and sausages for break
fast he couldn't sleep for thinking about IL.
And when he went TO bed with the informa-
ton that there would be no buckwheat and
sausages for breakfast he couldn't sleep for
worrying about il. The price of sausage was
skied last winter and there is reason 10 fear
that unless Mr.. Hoover does something about
i; the price even OF "hot dogs" will be "out
Of reach" except on special occasions when
the ultimate consumer grows reckless and
goes in for buckwheats and sausages in spite
of the inflated cost.
There is another report floating around that
sounds much more cheerful than the quit
eating admonitions that Mr.. Hoover is send
ing out. This report is that the bean crop is
ten times as large this year as it was last
year New York State, always a great bean
area, mas a rccord-breaking crop. But the
Rocky Mountain and Pacific Coast states are
harvesting bean yield that will soon be
moving eastward in trains a mile long.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Three Generations
Are They a Necessary Condition OF
True Americanismp
{ The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In n recent issue of your paper Mar
tia Leonard takes issue with the conception
Of Americanism expressed in your able col
toral entitled Making Americans. your
correspondent would deny the title Amer
can" TO any one who has not given loyal
service" TO this country for three gener-
atoms"
In answer to this un-American and alto
gcther narrow and provincial conception OF
Amercanism, beg leave TO quote para
graph from a recent address of mine before
a Red Cross gathering:
"Amcricanism, my friends, is not matter
Of race, creed, birthplace or figure OF
.peech II is an ideal, a scheme Of life, a
dedication to q principle OF human action.
One may be true American without being
born on American soil, while another may be
anything but American in spirit, although
born in America. Any man is an American
who in his heart Of hearts believes in liberty
justice. equality Of opportunity and free in
sttutions and the right of the individual to
achieve his own destiny. Those whose
spirits make no response 10 these ideals and
principles are not Americans, no matter
where they have been born"
| submit that thousands of our boys, both
in the trenches and on their way to the
trenches, have testified TO the falsity of the
proposition advanced by your correspondent
Amcricanism can be taught just as well as
miitarism is being taught in the schools Of
Germany. To deny this is TO deny the very
success OF the United States of America. 1t
would make one despair Of this Republic, not
to say of human nature, If the three gen.
Grafton" fallacy were true.
RICHARD MARL0WE.
Elrnira Y Y Dec a 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Relief and Prevention
(Froln The Ouiiool:)

(FTon The OutiOOkl
Before the United States entered the war
America spent many millions of dollars TO
relieve suffering in Belgium and elsewhere.
II is spending billions now in Europe TO pre-
vent suffering by removing its cause. Moth
ing is finer than to feed the hungry and bind
IN the wounds of those abused by savagery;
we arc proud Of all that our people have
done, are doing, and will continue to do in
this direction But the way TO stop savagery
IS TO stop the savage.
A man died in New York the other day who
saw this clearly One night, to little group
Of acouaintances at & restaurant table, he
said. in effect: az have given all mean TO
for the present for Belgian relief WORK. am
now going to spend my money to help throw
the Germans out Of Belgium" And he showed
r cordial letter from King Alberts chief Of
staff, thanking him in the Kings name for a
round sum Of money sent directly to the King
20 be used "for military purposes only" This
was before America entered into the war,
and, in reply 20 jocose suggestion that our
government might prosecute him for unneu-
trail conduct, this American of Revolutionary
stock exclaimed, 81 wish to God they would. "
Since then this country has learned that, as
Mr.. Roosevelt would say, We cannot stop Ger
man rapacity and cruelty By saying, Poor
pussy! poor pussy"
Samuel Dufiield Osborne was a courteous
gentleman-a lawyer, u writer Of sketches and
fiction, an expert in carved gems. For a
score of years he passed an interesting life
in the tower of Madison Square Garden. lie
had many friends, who will remember him for
his personal qualities. But one little group
ii almost chance acquaintance will always
remember him as the American who helped
King Albert TO fight the Kaiser.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

German Empire when It refuses to abide
he the decisions of peaceful world and Of
a world at peace. If the Allies cannot sue,
coed in their present enterprise, why should
these same Allies, calling themselves Peace
League, be able to succeed when Germany,
having recovered from her present exhaus-
ton. shall once again seek to dominate the
world? The names Of the parties TO the
conflict may become different, but nothing
else will be changed. and calling thing by
new name does not usually change the I'M
Jorlving fact GUSTAV Kissing.
New York. Dec l, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

that it will get its moneys worth before 1t
purchases tickets. Certain attractions may
still be able to collect 81 or $3.50 for the
choice seats. Most managers, however. will
be more likely TO count a profit at the end
Ct the season if they meet the public half
way in its enforced and patriotic econo-
mics
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
vTNRrR OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

II, Associated Press Is exclusively entitled 70 'ns u.e o
hicatou - al dispatches cce1 70 i' % ~.
tssrs, credited th and also the Local news o.
spontaneous origin published herein. -, -
Al eh q, REPUBLICATION q AL o,her matter herein arc
also reserved
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

Y.u can purchase merchandise advertised N I'M
TRIBUNE ih absolute safcy0r y dssAtisfacuon results
ia ans case TIE TRIBU VI guarantees 20 pay your money
49, iron REQUEST No rel tape 40 clubbing we maze
sooI promptly q the advertiser does not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

Owned and pubHshsd daily BY The Tribune Association.
New Yors Corporation ogden Red. President; G Neno
Roeers VICE f--,ifert: T. Sucr. Treasurer address
rs1re BuIdir. $50 Ns,sau Street. New York Telephone
Bcciusn 5000.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

SUBSCRIPTION RATES by Man. FosisEs Put out
eide o. GREATER Ncv N7rS
IN TIE UNITED STATES OUTSIDE or CREATE
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

ra,e-sd Al The Pos,orc, Al YORK As Second Cas-
Mail Mater
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-17

FOR SALE-S0 acre farm, Glare
county; good 6 room house; barn; out
buildings; school; telephone; bargain.
Write owner, G.. v. RUBY Clare,
Mich, r. 9.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-17
Notice.

Notice is hereby given to property
owners that all obnoxious weeds on
and in front of their property must
be cut down Unless it is done by the
property owners, the city will have 1t
done and assess the cost against the
property.
+. L. HANSCOM,
Adv. Commissioner.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-17

Please send sample, price and how
many you have; best quality. Theo.
Geaether, s Winslow Place, Detroit,
Mich.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1917-12-14
A Man S Highest Duty

Thousands of men in the United States today
are confronted by double duty. They are bat
Ting with an issue.
The question before them to paraphrase a
thought Of President Edwards of Earlham col
lege, is:
Is it my highest duty to remain in my civilian
vocation or to offer my ability to the govern
ment?
The answer is matter which each individual
must settle for himself. No outsider can give a
satisfactory answer, for there are hundreds of
considerations that enter into the question, and
only the man affected knows these best, and con-
sequently is fitted to determine his line of duty.
Thousands of men have pondered oyer this
question long and hard and have arrived at the
conclusion that it is their highest duty to fore
sake home and loved ones. The government has
accepted some of them; others have been in
formed that the government at present cannot
utilize their ability.
No hard and fast rule of conduct can be laid
down.
The question is one of conscience. Each man
must judge for himself.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1917-12-14

WHY?
These half-baked American citizens,
Who ran away from Germany and
came to this country
So they could enjoy little freedom
And make decent living and bring up
Their children where they could have
chance,
And who are now crying their eyes out
over Germany
And pulling secretly for her to win,
Why didn't they stay over there?
Why did some OF them risk their their
lives to get
Away from the same brand of kultur
they now admire so much?
Why don't they go back now?
Nobody's keeping them.