davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

Plan o. Using Cats or Poisoned
Grain To Rid Gardens of Sparrows
Brings Dismny To Heart Of Song
Bird Lover.
To the Editor of THE TINES:
In one OF your excellent columns
in last nights Times, you published
an article that read with dismay.
The heading is How Gardens May
Be Rid of Sparrow Pest" Having
been quite a successful gardener for
the past four seasons, and having had
my share of trouble with the spar
rows, I read the article eagerly.
agree fully with the two ideas Of
flying rags and scarecrows, but 1 wish
to protest most earnestly against the
other two, namely, the spreading Of
poisoned grain or the keeping OF a
cat.
In our own pleasant garden we
have numerous bird houses and en-
ticing rose arbors, and bushes. and
each year we have our wonderful
families Of song birds. At present
we have a family OF blue birds in one
tiny house. Mr.. and Mrs. Wren in
another, a colony of purple martins
in a third and perky little Mr.. and
Mrs. Song Sparrow in one rose arbor.
Only this morning a glorious brown
thrasher was investigating our large
rose arbor which is densely covered
with growth. Yesterday a Baltimore
oriole lit on the bird fountain in the
garden and after refreshing himself
hoped down to eat bugs. A mock
ing bird which we fed all winter,
comes each morning for his breakfast
as do also a brilliant pair of car
dInaIs. What would become of all Of
these wonderful bird neighbors n
spread poisoned grain for the spar
rows, or allowed a cat to prOwl
around.
We read articles in all magazines
against the cat as a pet, we are urg-
ed TO protect the song birds who do
so much to rid our gardens Of insect
pests, and we are urged to have gar
dens.
have found that the tying OF white
rags in fruit trees and bushes and
erecting a scarecrow both Brighten
the sparrows and by covering our
early peas and vegetables with wire
screening we have saved them.
Trusting that this may interest
other gardeners and bird lovers, re-
main yours truly,
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

nag flying. for your appeal to hang
out the nag" was met with spontane-
Gus reply from all parts OF the city,
and today We see our nag afioat
everywhere, for that spirit which
you created has not died down.
But I wonder. Mr.. Editor, IL you
permit your campaign to die at this
stage whether or not you may not be
doing our country more harm than
good. for can you think of any better
method Of preserving among our
people that patriotism that has been
handed down from father to son than
to inspire our youths with a more ex-
allied respect and reverence for that
flag. that symbol OF national SUI
premacy, that emblem of our coun-
try's glory? And teach them that our
flag Is not simply q banner for holi-
day display. not merely a strip Of
bunting which can be purchased at q
nearby store for few cents. but
that IL Is the proud emblem OF dig
nifty, Justice. and power. which. II in
suited. millions will spring to its de-
tense. and these millions will die in
its defense.
1t Is particularly necessary in a
country such as our own, in which
there are so many who have been
reared under foreign flags and who
could not be much too familiar with
the play OF this great nation nor with
those principles for which II stands.
X Y. q
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
A Citizen Of the United State.

The fervor Of the American well
come to Marshal Joffre has to some
extent diminished the ovation that
under other circumstances would
have been accorded the Marquis de
Chambrun, the great-grandson Of
Lafayette, who accompanies the
party. The mayor Of Baltimore and
the Maryland Congressional delega-
ton, at the State Department today
urging that Marshal Joffre and his
party be persuaded to visit Balti-
more ere their return to France,
point out the interesting fact that by
a formal act of the legislature, the
Marquis de Chambrun is a citizen Of
Maryland.
In the year 1884 the Maryland
legislature decreed:
That the Marquis de Lafayette
and his male heirs forever shall
be, and they and each OF them are
hereby. deemed, adjudged. and
taken to be natural-born citizens
of this State, and shall henceforth
pc eullLleQ 10 All lue lnnunllleSs
rights, and privileges OF natural
born citizens thereof, and they
and every one OF them conform
ing to the laws Of this State shall
have the perpetual enjoyment OF
such immunities, rights and exer-
cises.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the
Constitution makes the citizen Of any
State a citizen of the United States.
Vive lie Marquis de Chambrun,
Citoyen American.
In the same connection it is point
ed out that at a session of the legis-
lature in 1894, which Lafayette ad-
dressed, he said:
To have been early adopted
among the sons OF freedom, to
have seen French and American
standards united in the cause OF
mankind, to have so peculiarly
shared in the confidence and
friendship of the United States,
are ideas the more pleasing to me.
as am assured, when I reflect
upon the difficulties this country
oVercame, that she will attend to
the means of splendor and happi-
ness which now. thank God, are
at her disposal
Evidently the Maryland delegation
has made out its case. The Times
seconds the motion that the Marquis
de Chambrun and Marshal Joffre be
urged to visit our neighboring city
of Baltimore, and may we be there
TO see!
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
TO TIMES READERS

TIE Times 70 receiving great Aum-
bers Of letters from Cts reoders.
No communication phich does not
CORY the name and gddress Of the
contributor t0iU be used, but both
tOiH be considered confidential u re-
guest 70 made.
Publication t1iH not b made Of
letters on HnttmeIy subjects or re-
R0ious Questions. II t0SH not pub
nsh dbHsivs personal attacks NOR
cTtticisHs tchieA TIE Times deems
UntOorTGHted By the facts a. % kHotDs
them.
No record % kept Of EnpHbHshed
letters and none tOiH be returned M
less posto0e 70 tncIossd
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Would Put Heavy Tax on Unuse,
Reaourra~

Would Put Heavy Tax on Unused
Resources.
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
An annual tax OF one dollar per
acre foot Cor 1900 tons) of our coal
deposits held out OF use would yield
over $1,000. OO0. 900 a year. A tax OF
81 per acre on gas and oil deposits
held out OF use would yield about
$3.50, 100000. A tax OF $50 per acre
foot of iron and other mineral de-
posits and 81 per acre on farming
and grazing and forest lands held
out OF use, and 20 per cent on the
annual rentable value of vacant city
lots would yield many billions Of
dollars.
Such taxes would reach spectators
only, who now pay almost no taxes,
and would break up the greatest evil
Of the age, the restriction OF produc-
tion, due to the fact that high rents
and high prices OF land make produe-
tion Improbable.
Unless such taxes are laid the suf-
fering and death caused by high prices
and low wages will be many times
greater than that caused by war
alone; our people will be poorly nour-
ished and weak and unable to pro-
duce what is needed and therefore
our nation could not put up Its best
fight and defeat might be possible.
II such taxes are laid, our own Prus-
sianism will disappear, all OF our best
lands Will be put to use, monopoly
VIII be destroyed, production VIII be
enormously accelerated, giving en-
ployment to all labor at the highest
prices possible.
Prices will fall to a minimum fixed
by competition: prosperity such as
was never known before will come 10
all. reaching down to the very poor
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

A Daily Example of Criminal Waste
Such a. Must be Suppressed IL We
Are 10 Triumph I'm War.

A Daily Example Of Criminal Waste
Such ss Must be Suppressed IL We
Are to Triumph I'm War.
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
The place was a Quick-lunch room,
the time 1:15 p. m. The personages'
an old man who might have been a
retired banker, lawyer, or such like.
He had a vegetable soup, crackers,
and water; check 10 cents. A 2Oo-pound
capable woman, OF, say, forty or more,
ordered Boston baked beans. bread
md butter, coffee; check 20 cents. IN
each Of these cases there was not a
shred left.
At the same table, an eighty-fve-
pound napper, all diked out in the
latest scream, picked out tenderloin
steGx, asparagus on toast. mashed DO.
tatoes. lettuce salad. pot OF tea, straw
berry shortcake, and ice cream; check
S1.35.
she paved this good food all over,
cut up the steak, mixed in the lettuce
and potato. and during the process
ate possibly one-fourth Of II; abe then
fell 10 in the same way on the short.
cake and tea: finally leaving a mass
OF food all butchered up into criminal
waste, a waste much greater in vol.
ume and far exceeding in value the
materials composing the two other
lunches.
She paid her check with a IS bill
and happed on into a picture show. ap.
parently as contented as though she
had performed some honorable service
to her country in its present neces.
sity.
This is a strictly true story. and
seems TO show an urgent need for
more strenuous teaching on the sub
feet of willful waste.
JOSEPH BURDEN.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07


and Marshal Jonre Acknowledges
With AppreeIative Letters
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
The verses which I am inclosing !
have sent manuscript copies OF to MI.
Balfour and to General Jonre. The
reply which / received indicated
pleasure and appreciation OF the
poem, as well as OF the spirit which
prompted me to send It, Under the
circumstances you may think II
worthy Of publication:
WELCOME TO BRITAIN AND TO
FRANCE
yoyaKers from q war-cursed wave,
We bid you welcome here:
To you we give the clasping hand,
To you the shining tear
or sympathy. Here rest awhile,
Here tell your cruel wrong;
For, though our eyes are dim with
tears,
Our hearts are true and strong.
We, too, have felt the bastard hand
OF foes DER waters far:
We gave them welcome to our shores,
They gave us ruthless war.
Their throats are full OF Wanting
boasts,
Their hearts are full OF strife;
They are the foes of liberty,
The enemies Of life.
Down with the autocrats OF earthi
Down with its pomp and pride!
Town with oppressioni Fling the door
OF freedom open wide
Give to the sea her white-winged
ships.
Give to the bound release:
Give to thy brother man his rights,
Give to the world Gods peace.
10! England, trance, America,
Join hands across the sea,
They stand together firm and true
Earth's Faith, Hope, Charity
Content to battle for the rights
And liberties OF man.
And God in heaven looks on and
speeds
These workers in His plan
Under the Cross, the Stripes, the
Stars,
Meath the Red, White and Blue,
He marshals men for His great cause;
The merciful, the true.
He'll lead them on to victory,
ne II lOpple eTTOTS tuIOuo
Until the earth from sea to sea
Is ruled by Christ alone.
The new day dawns, the morning
breaks.
The shadows soon must nee:
For hatred dies when love awakes,
And love enthroned must be
In every heart, in every life
Love which, like Gods great Son,
Shall give its life upon the cross
Till victory is won.
Hail! to the union OF tho brave,
Honori o noble threei
France, England, and our own dear
land,
Our hearts are all with thee
Strike, II you must, for truth and
right,
For life and liberty:
And God, who rules with power and
might,
Will give you victory.
AnNTu.cJ
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Thanks The Times for Campaign
to Display stars and stripes.

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Some time ago. when it was evident
that war with a foreign nation was
Inevitable. your paper very patriot
ically launched forth a campaign to
get our people to hang out the flag"
You put forth a splendid effort in
that extremely patriotic move. and
no one who walks our streets today
can deny that your paper and yours
alone has fIIed our city with that
feeling which a true American expert
ences when he sees the American
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Quick Work in Japan

From the Bulletin Of Japan
Society" we CLEAN the following
item of information:
A carbo boat Of the e.00O-ton
type was recently launched at the
Kawasaki docI1yard, Kobe, Japan.
This is one OF the seven steamers
built on its own account, the pur-
chase of which was recently con-
tracted for by q London firm. 1t
has taken only three months for
the vessel to be made ready for
launching, and she is to be rugged
out and delivered in three weeks,
the whole construction taking not
more than four months. 1t is
stated that such quick work is
unprecedented in the annals OF
shipbuildlng in japan.
Whether it be wooden ships or
steel ships or both, the need is i'm
perative that shipbuilding on the
largest scale ever contemplated
should begin at once in every Ameri-
can shipyard, for war purposes. The
news today is that General Goethals
has been working on a plan by which
the big steel fabricating plants of
the country will undertake the work
Of preparing the parts at the plants
themselves, as the parts Of sky
scrapers and bridges are now con-
structed, and shipped thence to the
shipyards. The steel plants are
ready for their part Of the task. It
is to be hoped that ere many moons
have passed the item quoted above
may be multiplied many times with
date lines showing American ports
as the places Of launching.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

If the Reichstag is to have author,
ity over the army and navy by the
new amendments to the constitution,
II is probable that parliamentary as,
sembly will be talking while the
allies including ourselves are march,
ing into Berlin.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

Belasco-'slGr. Rip Van Winkie. ~ MAE
and wiz Club, $50 .. m
New National-' 1ntoieranee," , ,. m. and
PoIrs-Nsw Poll Players In Camille" SIS
a +. Keith's-vaudeville ? and SIS p. m.
Gayety-Buriesque. 2:i5 and ssis p m
Losw's CoIumbia-Photoplays, 1Osso a m -
strand-Photoplays II a. m to II .. m
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Suggests Importance Of Interestins
CsIored People In War and EnIlst-

@-es-.~@
CsIored People In War ana EnIist.
ing Their Cooperation.
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
Probably the German propaganda that
is seeking to infame the colored people
Of the South against the successful pros
ecution Of the war, Il responsible for
the belief Of many intelligent and patrf-
otic colored women Of Washington that
their help in any form Of relief work
u not wanted They feel this exclusion
keenly. and say they are eager to help,
that. II told what they can do. they viii
prove their patriotism by doing their
best As one said. This Is our country,
our interest r. the same a. the white
peoples. my madam Il helping and
want to help. too"
Every woman IN America can do some
thing to help to win the war as soon As
possible. and millions can be saved by
housewives and employers, by enlisting
the interest and cooperation OF our
colored countrymen and women
As q nation, we have all already real
lied our culpability In doing 50 little to
AmericaniEe our foreign population. but
many women are equally culpable in
neglect Of the education OF the devoted.
faithful. servitors In our homes. who
make Us comfortable and free our time
for our own profit. pleasure. and philan-
throphy. Somebody Is to blame. II any
one under thirty or forty, who has
proven the intelligence and industry Of
q useful servant and yet can neither
read nor write and ask within the lastt
three months. Where Is the war? What
are the people lighting aboutG
Z N.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

Some OF the Congressional oppo-
nents Of the press-gsg measure take
occasion TO intimate that they have
personally suffered for the want Of
some sort OF press-gaG themselves.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

! est. In spite Of the war drain: our peo-
pie will be we'll nourished and strong.
and they will then be able to invent
and forge weapons that will make our
nation invincible.
Official reports show that 1900, 00o
Of our people are now deprived. to 4
great extent Of the necessaries Of life.
Shall this number be increased to
100000? Or shall we let all have
the opportunity to produce and get an
abundance? One path leads to uni
versal peace. another to universal sui
eide.
This is no time for quack legisla-
tion. Our worst enemies are those
short-sighted legislators who. because
they fear that some OF monopoly 8
rights may be Infringed. propose and
pass such. and thus deprive the very
lifeblood' Of our nation. Civilization
itself Is now threatened with destruc-
tion. Not since the world began was
IL in greater peril. and there Is but one
certain way to avert It.
The holding Of land out Of use must
be prevented. or the holding OF land
out of use win destroy us.
C. B. HEMINGWAY.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Only Six Weeks Needed To Make =
Soldier Fairly Efficient, Says ThlE
EuRllahman.

Soldier Fairly Efficient, Says Tall
EngIIshman-
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
The statement has been made that
year is required to manufacture
soldiers from raw recruits. I will
here state a personal experience:
Some thirty years ago I Joined q
volunteer regiment ("the Artists') in
London. had had no previous mill.
tary training, and yet earned an
efficiency badge in six weeks This
included efficiency In target shooting.
The badge was . strip OF silver braid
worn on the arm. OF course, efficiency
in the volunteers Is not quite the
same thing as in the regulars: but
I may mention that the standard of
''the Artists" was high: II was then
said to be the best and smartest vol.
unteer regiment in England. 1t must
also be remembered that we drilled
only twice or thrice a week. II we
had been regulars drilling twice or
thrice q day. I am certain that !
could have become an efficient
"ranker" in the same time.
was afterward in the volunteer
medical stan corps" and found
stretcher drill and "hrst aid" equally
simple. To close with an American
experience. 1 recently was in Fort
Worth, Tex, and as the citizens were
drilling there 1 Joined them These
gentlemen had had no previous mill
tary training, and yet in three days
they were marching in column down
the streets and making all the turns
correctly, and in ten days they were
doing rife drill very creditably.
There is no mystery in a soldiers
calling; a schoolboy could learn II
easily, and the man who cannot be-
come efficient as q private In the
ranks in two or three months must
be half-witted-
BERTRAND sHADwELLL
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Suggests That Ships Move In Float
ing Harbors a. Protection Against
Submarines

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
While we are awaiting a hoped-for
American invention OF a scientific
protection against torpedoes from
submerged submarines, a simple,
rough-and-ready temporary American
scheme may be suggested for supply
ships going from this country to
England.
We are all familiar with the row
Of fender-logs that hang perpendi-
cularly from the sides OF tug-boats,
and also with the loosely-chained
rows OF perpendicular piles at ferry
slips. Suppose that a ship from this
country, approaching the danger
zone, should be met by a transport
and furnished with a long string OF
fender logs, weighted at the lower
end land buoyed, II necessary, at the
upper end), loosely chained together
like the piles at a ferry-slip-not to
hang Cas on a tugboaO from the
ship, but to be kept pulled out, at
some little distance from the ship, all
around, by tugs. Along the log
palisade there could be loosely
stretched a submarine net to fill such
spaces as there might have to be be-
tween the logs. The ship would then
move (rather slowly, OF course), 20
port, inside a moving palisade. The
palisade would take the explosion OF
a torpedo. The palisade might be I'M
harmed, owing to the freedom Of
swing OF the logs and net; but II
broken at one point, II could be
quickly repaired by the tugs, as the
great bulk OF the logs would be I'M
harmed, and would still float per-
pendlcularly.
The tugs might be so broad and
OF such light draft dixie the famous
Cape Cod cat-boats) as TO be largely
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

II the Germans are responsible for
a negro uprising in Cuba IT will make
even Senator Vardaman a convert to
effective war measures.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

So DR.. Dumba thinks the President
Of the United States is an AnElophile
autocrat. Certainly when 1t comes
to real American Germanophlles.
there amt no SIGH animal.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

Bohemianism to the German mind
will henceforth mean the independent
spirit that cannot endure JunkerIsm.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

Germany will believe in the reality
Of American inventive genius when
the submarines that leave their home
ports regularly fail TO return.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

Would Use Germans n Shield Against
U-bOafs.
To the Editor OF THE TINES:
have q suggestion to make Tor
combating the submarine propaganda
Of murder and destruction Let the
steerage of every ship that Phys be
tween America and European ports
be filled to capacity with German
prisoners, and then let the imperial
German murderers torpedo their own
men.
CHARLES z. FULLER. n C.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Asks increases for Employees Of Rail-
way Mail Service.

way Mall Service.
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
Why can't our Congressman and
Senator's be so benevolent as to adopt
resolution giving the employees of
the railway mail service, and the post
office clerks the same raise In salary.
that IL the and 10 per cent raise,
that the departmental employees OF
the District are to get, effective with
the first OF July?
Surely We have just as much II not
more expense than these clerks, and I
am certain that We are as much en-
titled to 1t a. they, for are We not
Federal employees in every sense Of
the word. handling Uncle Sans great
volume OF mail as we do?
With the cost Of living necessities
sky-rocketing as they are at the pres
emit time, we are certainly in need Of
this raise, and It Il our sincere hope
that the desired resolution may be
passed in our behalf.
R. wOwARD GUDGER-
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

II the Reichstag takes over the
appointments Of officers to the army.
we see the end Of the crown prince
approaching.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07

1t is true that Dumba had a dis.
agreeable experience with Presidential
autocracy.
The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Criminals

Crtmlnalh
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
noticed in your paper an article
by Mr.. Hoover, advising the people
OF America to eat fsh, fruit, poultry,
etc. Now ] would like to know how
a man with a family on a salary OF
800 per month or less can AFFORD to
buy such luxuries. And, where are
the women to get the fat when fat
back is Is cents q pound and bacon
40 cents.
The high cost of everything is
nothing more or less than q hold
up by the money making people. Mr..
Hoover and others know 1t. The
crop production was about the same
this year as last, and the exports are
less; now what else can the cause be
but speculation?
Why does Congress not make laws
to stop Wall Street speculation in
food. which is one of the greatest
crimes OF the age? Why should any
one that has the power of money be
allowed to impose on the weak by
half starving them?
Congress appropriated S4O0, 900 for
a food investigation. Has anything
been done to better conditions? There
are plenty Of laws to protect the
people IL they were only enforced.
II the investigation in this city was
given to the Police Department they
could get enough evidence in twenty
four hours to put a few of the most
prominent men connected with the
speculation in jail, where they should
go. II poor man was to steal to
keep his family from starving he
would go to Jail, but when the ma
nipulators plead guilty they are fined
$25.
There are thousands OF half starv-
ed children in this city today, es-
pecially OF the negro class, made so
by this manipulation. II the proper
kind OF investigation was made and
the law breakers punished as they
should be. people would not suffer
so by the high cost OF living.
w. W.