davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Stop the Mouth of Sedition

To tho Editor OF Tho Tribune.

Sir As one OF the "fvs million OF fathers
named In the letter OF Lemuel Ely ouigg IN
Saturdays edition OF The Tribune. want to
express my very hearty agreement with MS
views and 70 add my offer 10 his, my service
to do what can for the swift determination
Of the rampant spirit Of scditon that Is TO-
day doing It's utmost TO hamper and retard
the work Of our government in its hght TOT
democracy. When many Of us have gwen our
only son-our only child-to the service oil
the government in response to Its call we
feel that we have a right to expect that
every possible effort should be used to secure
that for which the sacrifice Is made, and
that the traitorous element in our land
should be brought to realize, in unmistakable
ways, that this is not tho time for an express
sion Of disloyalty, In any form, nor for the
failure TO realize just what we are, as ma
ton, up against. There is no room for any
special privilege being given those who OPP
pose the strenuous efforts Of our government
too sec this war to successful issue. II mod
crate means cannot stop the sedtious utter
ances of certain classes or newspapers among
us, then let the government employ drastic
means that VIII accomplish lne utSlreu icSu'''
There is hardly a country under the sun IN
which the right of free speech is so abomina-
bly, abused as in the United States. The
utterances of some men and the utterances OF
some papers would, if made in other lands,
have won for their authors position against
n wall and in front of firing squad in short
order. But the enemies within" our borders
are permitted to use the protection given
them by our laws TO do and say that which
is to the highest degree proof Of disloyalty
and 90 on their way unpublished.
| happen to be a clergyman, and so am sup
posed to be an apostle of peace. So am, but
not of peace at any price" Nor am | a fire
eater" as some would have me believe, but
am one of large body Of our citizens who
think that the time has come and long since
passed when residence in this country or the
possession of tizenship-hyphenated or
otherwise--is permitted ground for open or
secret opposition to the efforts of our govern
ment to make America safe for Americans
and those who will really appreciate what
America means.
"Shut the mouth Of sedition by bullet" II
il cannot be shut in any other way-but shut
It, and keep it shut. II has already been al
lowed to be wide open too long for comfort or
safety CHARLES R. TROWBRIDGE.
Easton, Penn, Sept. l, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Organize
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: l have read with care and apprecia-
ton the letter Of Mr. Quigg appearing on tho
editorial page of your newspaper Of this
date. I heartily indorse every word that he
has written therein and suggest that, in ad-
dition to offering our services TO the Pres
ident in the enforcement of the law against
treason, we organize In our respective COM
munties for that purpose | would not pro-
pose the use Of the lamppost, because be-
lieve in the principles which cur flag repre-
sents-a government of liberty, regulated
by law"
l, too, have a son who had Just begun what
appeared to be the opening Of a successful
legal career in New York City who is now
encamped in Van Cortlandt Park on the first
stage Of his progress toward the trenches n
France, whose mother freely consented to
his own desire that he join the colors.
MICHAEL J. O'CALLAGHAN.
Philadelphia, Penn, Sept. 1, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Protect the Migratory Birds!

1t is earnestly to be hoped that in its
consideration of war measures Congress
will not overlook the measure introduced
bv Senator Smith and Representative
Flood intended to make effective the
treaty between this country and Canada
for the protection of migratory birds. At
first glance this may not seem to be war
bill, and it has been held up in the House,
though passed by the Senate with only
seven votes in opposition, on the ground
that it does not come within the category
Of legislation directly concerned with the
nations preparation for war. Actually,
this bill is directly and intimately con
nected with one Of the most vital war
problems this country has 20 solve-the
food problem. AS an aid to the conserva-
ton of food it deserves prompt consdera-
ton and enactment, and thorough enforce
ment thereafter.
The Federal Department of Agriculture
estimates that insect depredations cost the
farmers of the nation about Sl,2OO'OOO,OOO
annually. The value of birds in reducing
these losses IS unquestioned. State legis-
lation has failed to give adequate protec
ton to the bird life of the country for
various reasons 1t is agreed by conser-
vationists that the only adequate protec
ton can come by way of Federal legisla
ton In other words, unless Congress
enacts the bill in question one Of the most
important food conservation measures
possible for the country to take will have
been neglected.
This is not new proposal. Congress
should be familiar not only with the actual
question before it but with the underlying
considerations. -Four years ago Federal
migratory bird law was enacted, intended
to safeguard game birds and insect and
seed eaters which were not adequately
protected by state legislation. Subsequent
" the American Game Protective ASsocia-
ton took the lead in advocating the nego-
tiation of a treaty with Great Britain for
the mutual protection Of these birds in
Canada and this country. This interna-
tional extension Of protection was based on
the same principle as that which had been
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Wild Fears Of Army Life
(From The Cleueland Leader

tFrOw inc tlcufldnd Leader
Numerous incidents reported in the United
States since the selective conscrption law
was passed have shown that many persons
have a wildly exaggerated notion OF the
dangers and hardships Of army service. They
evidently feel that call to the coors is about
the same thing as death sentence A few
have killed themselves. Some have shot OF
an arm or cut of several fingers Other
mutilations have been reported
This is the madness of fear In all wars,
even in the tremendous conflict now raging, a
soldier has about nineteen chances out Of
twenty OF surviving a years service. In two
years he does not run much ten per
cent risk of death. German and British rec
ords indicate that the ratio of fatalities is
not more than one out Of every twenty FIVE
men. annually
As for hardships some soldiers like the
change from the conditions of civil life Many
seek to remain in military service after wars
end. Nearly all who escape wounds say that
they feel unusually we'll and physically 1T.
Disease in modern armies maintained by ad-
vanced nations is less common than in or
binary occupations.
War is grim and terrible enough without
Wild exaggerstions Of its perils and it's SUI
fcrings. Always its chances leave a good
balance on the side Of safety,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
For a Mortgage Moratorium

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: As one or two corporate mortgage
lenders have stated that they are not calling
loans as they mature and are not foreclosing
mortgages for failure to comply with the
demands made, special protective COM
mittee delegated by the $50 greater New
York real estate owners associations has in
preparation statement showing exactly the
financial havoc and distress that certain
mortgage leaders are creating.
Meantime here are significant figures for
the first six months in 1917, taken from
"The Record and Guide" for Manhattan only.
Four hundred and eleven corporate loans
renewed, generally for reduced amounts, and
l79 corporate foreclosures; or 40 per cent
foreclosures to renewals, which points its
own moral
Real estate owners intend to pass a
mortgage moratorium; they have under con
sideraton "boycotting" the savings banks,
title guarantee, trust and life insurance
companies that are engaged in the present
unfair and unpstriotic actions. State legisla-
tive Investigations into these corporations
will also be demanded at the next State
Legislature. J. BLEECKER MILLER.
New York, Aug. 90 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Potash and NitratcsI
IRON me PHILADELPHIA Ledger

From The Philadelphia Ledgerp
The passage Of the Pittman bill through
the Senate, which gives authority to the
Secretary OF the Interior TO withdraw GER
tain potash deposits in California and else
where on government reservations and let
them be commercially exploited is the begin
ming of tn. end Of another phase OF German
domination in our industrial affairs. In 1913
this country imported $4,000 tons Of potash
from Germany, which sold for $40 ton,
while at present potash is scarce at $500
ton, due largely TO our own carelessness in
failing to develop the potash deposits we
possess as we'll as Germany, and also in
not utilizing to the full substitutes for potash
in agriculture, since the absolute necessity
Of potash is a sort of fetch made in Ger
many, the potash famine" bugaboo being a
German scarecrow soon to be done away with.
The fact is that not only will the Pittman
bill allow large output Of potash to be
developed for home consumption, but al
ready in various parts of the country potash
deposits arc being worked, and, in addition,
potash IS being obtained by chemical proc
esses as a by-product, just the other
Overwhelmingly impregnable superiority
as nItrate-producing cOuntry-is being
met by the recently formed 5000 900 cor
poration, which will be the most powerful
factor in the world for the production Of
Liquid nitrogen from the air by the process
Of which the Germans claim TO have a
monopoly. As all American chemists know
the United States did not 90 in for certain
chemical productions, since II was engaged in
bigger problems, though it knew very we'll
how TO work these things out. Germany,
however, took this for inability and assumed
a world domination Of methods And now
in the potash and nitrate industry their
whole house Of cards has fallen to the
ground, as in the dye monopoly issue.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04

found necessary in extending the protec-
ton afforded by good state legislation into
countrywide protection. The treaty was
drawn up, and last October was ratified
by the Senate. 1t pledged the signatory
POWERS to the adoption Of acts to make ef-
fective its provisions. Canada has adopted
such an act. This country has not.
The present bill, awaiting action in the
House, is intended to supplemental fact,
to supersede original migratory bird
law, which has been found TO be made
ouate. This measure must be enacted now
or later if this country is TO live up to the
terms of its treaty with Great Britain,
duly ratified. The game birds which would
be protected against the ravages of pot
hunters and breeding season shooters con-
stitute an important source of food sup
ply. The insect and seed eaters which
would he protected are invaluable friends
of the farmers of the nation. On the purely
material side, just as a matter of dollars
and cents and the available supply of
food in a time when food is of prime inn
portance to the nation and its allies, this
hill should be passed. 1t would be folly to
set it aside as having no bearing on the
country's needs.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Ignorance. We Think

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Are the people Of New York ign''
rant. disloyal or merely indifferent IN the'
failure TO salute the flag on ceremonial OF
formal occasions
watched the attitude of the men wltne"
ing the farewell parade to-day for az
lance Of several blocks as the colors We"
borne proudly by at the head OF the various
regiments, and IT was as astonishing as
was disgraceful Not ore in five Lifted -
hat or otherwise exhibited the least respeo
for our national emblem. An English oriee'
who stood near me said: "What fine 'is'
this would be for the Kaiser!'
Perhaps this lack Of respect for our eoua
try's emblem, this solidity, this csse'nsr
dcned imperviousneas TO patriotic emouOD
may be the logical result Of the stmospheH
in which New Workers live, but | dislike !"
believe It. Possibly these men with the im.
movable hats and the unmoved hearts msy
belong to the undigested and indige'u0'
foreign element OF our cosmopolitan poP'
lation.
Whatever the cause or the excuse, Sa
il time that an effort was made through y.
public prints TO shame or educate our peoP,I,
into an observance OF the requirements ~
American etiquette in the presence OF Wv
Glory? j. H. 4"
New York, Aug, 80, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04

wrong, Just as Il is futile, TO continue to
talk about peace. We have at least an
other year of fighting before us, and IN
all human probability ii will be the bit
terest and the most expensive fighting in
the whole struggle. This is what we
shoNld recognize. This is what we should
prepare ourselves for. And we shall only
serve the German cause if we echo their
endless and purposeful talk about peace.
Let us face the fact The only peace
possible can be attained on that day when
Germany is not baked merely, but also
defeated Enthusiastically, and it is to that
defeat that we must look. 1t is from that
defeat that peace will come, and before
that defeat we shall only delude ourselves
and play the German game by talking
further of peace.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
When Monte Santo Fell

Modern warfare takes a turn for the
gayer and toward happier and more ro-
mantle past in the tidings out of Rome,
telling of Arturo Toscanini and his
battling band. No diagram Of the scene is
transmitted, and one may be permitted to
surmise that the advanced position"
whcreto our operate director led his men
and wherein martial music was blared
forth throughout the storming Of Monte
Santo was not exactly front line trench.
Whether, too, the strains actually reached
the ears Of all the charging soldiers
through the artillery uproar may be a
trife doubted. Puccini is not Wagner, and
is no fit competitor for the machine gun.
We are glad that Signor Toscanini won
his medal, and we should like to have heard
"Garibaldi's Hymn"-one of the most
stirring and one of the. least known in
America of our allies anthems-under
those conditions. But the example will
hardly spread far along the Western front.
French warfare has no more use for music
than for gold lace and giddy uniforms.
Buglers and regimental bands are all very
well for camp life. Adjoining No Mans
Land whiskers are the height Of eloquence,
and the charge is ordered by hour and
minute, with only drumfre, not drum
beat or bugle call, as a preliminary. The
officers whistle is about the only music
left in modern fighting against modern
artillery, which renders invisibility and
surprise practically the only weapons of
the attacker until face to face with his
enemy.
It seems a pity that this should be So.
Yet there is the suspicion that music has
never played a very large part in actual
fighting. There have been glorious myths.
There was the relief of Lucknow, with the
pipes playing "The Campbells Are Com
ing"-only, we believe, disagreeable critics
have refused to support the myth with
facts There were, of course, "The Drums
of the Fore and Aft" But they were fic-
ton. So also was Cyrano, with his Cadets
of Gascony. When the list is rudely
analyzcd there is grave danger that
Signor Toscanini will be left almost alone
on the firing line Of history.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Which Is More Dangerous
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Mrs. Wadsworth's letter in your is,u.
OF August % demands an answer.
She sees ga serious menace" in what she
calls "the close alliance between soeialis, and
sufFragist paciist and feminist and taxes
you with Inconsistency in supporting suFrag.
because the radicals Of the community sdyo.
cate it.
It is strange that the government should
have overlooked this "menace" in appointing
DR.. Shaw and Mrs. Gait on the Council o.
National Defence, Miss Leckie 70 such re.
sponsible post as head OF the Hoover Pub.
Lefty Bureau, and Mrs. Van Wrinkle to the
Food Conservation Board. X rather looks as
if the government had good deal OF conf.
dence in these suffrage leaders. Also # Nrs.
Wadsworth will look the matter up more
closely she will find that the first speech o.
our lady Representative in Congress was
made not so mach in behalf OF the !. W. W
as in the interest of simple human justice.
As for that ignoble word ''pacits,,' what IS
70 become of it when the Allies have achieved
their aims and established abiding peace %
the world? Shall we all be pacifsts then OF
not? And shall we still be throwing stones
at hotheaded young idcalists like Crysta.
Eastman and her brother?
Since she so disapproyes OF he company 10
which she finds the sufragists, ! should Ike
to ask Mrs. Wadsworth whether she sees sny
inconsistency in the fact that the antl-susra'
gists are really lined up with the worst els'
meuts in our political l:fe? 1t is as certain
as anything can be that all the underground
world of our cities, the rogucs and thieves and
gamblers, the saloon men, the diyekeepe''
and the corrupt politicians, will vote again''
woman suffrage. DO not suggest an "a"''
arce" or any understanding whatever between
these gentry and the ants OF Mrs. Nscs'
worth's type. but the fact is clear that th'y
are working for the same end-to defeat p"
li,ical equality for women il they can.
Would Mrs. Wadsworth admit for mome''
tina, the harm she believes the radicals DO ca
be compared with the dangers to our ei'S
iii, from the dark and secret forces OF e."
to which have alluded? At least, the rae.
Gals make for healthful, intellectual iermen
in the community. They are the yeast OF ODI
civic life. Those other elements dehle anu
degrade il. Which company IS to De PIE
ferred? Which are the more dangerou; en'
mics OF our country? .o,.
ANTOINETTE RoTAN PLIERSoN'
New York, Aug 81, 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Go South, Young Man

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I am surprised at Mr.. Godkin's query
il to-day's issue. Doesn't he realize that if
cotton we're Northern staple and wheat
,alsed In the South the conditions would have
been reversed?
Besides, Germany is getting most OF the
cotton to carry on her war against democracy
So. why shouldn't she pay well for it Tween
ty-seyen cents is none TOO much. The South
needs the money and she's getting it.
II General Leonard Wood, like Josephus
Daniels. had only been born south Of Mason
and Dixon's line, and Democrat, it might
have made great difference in his career.
Go South young man; go South, and you'll
oe fixed for life-if the government holds out.
W. T. SMEDLEY.
Bear Creek, Penn, Aug. IS, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
lie Sou du Mutile
An Appeal in Behalf Of the Belz.,
Manned Soldiers

The Belgian fund lie Sou du Mutill ~,
the Belgian MANNED soldiers, who's. ga,
mittee has been formed at The Hagu. ,.,1
to-day an earnest appeal to the ever gem.
GUS heart OF the American people
lie Sou du Nutile, one OF the mos. ma.
torlous Of enterprises, deyotes all its .ro-,,.
the care and welfare Of the manned sold.,.
These efforts will not be discontinued .o,.
the war; on the contrary, out Of the funa,
that will have been collected and nl,..I
under the control OF the goyernm.n, u.
committee will aid, in the best possbl. ma,
ner, these glorious soldiers IN securing ara,
an independent situation which will .n,y.
them to play, as before the war, a us.,sl
part in the great struggle for life.
This enterprise had been created but %,
months when its utility was a. once r.eo,
nized by the Belgian government. and in u,
latter part Of 1915 ". Poullet, Belgian Mn.
lister at The Hague. at III. request OF "
Schollaert, then minister in charge Of n.
supervision Of the relief committees es,,s.
lished for the welfare Of th. invalid soldier,
informed the president OF the Sou du M.
tile that the Beglan government had >co,.
sented 70 patronize this work. A little ht,,
their msjesties tho King and Queen Of "a.
Begians, in order 20 show the interest th.y
are taking in this work, sent 70 the commit,
tee, through the intermediary Of N. Ing.n.
gleek, royal secretary, a letter, from vhie.
the following extract has been taken: "Ts.
King and the Queen have at heart 70 or.
courage your generous efforts, and ask v.
70 send you herewith a gift Of 500 francs
as a mark Of sympathy for your glo,iou,
proteges."
In New York this fund his been placed
under the auspices Of ". Pierre Mali, B.lg.,
Consul General, and the Rev. J. 2. Still.naa,
director Of the Belgian Bureau and pr.sii.,,
Of the Belgian Relief Fund
The committee has full confidence tia. III,
new appeal to the well known generosity o.
the American people, already so highly 81,
preciated and for which Belgium is so graft.
full, will not 60 unheeded, and that q great
many Americans will cooperate with Us /,
this most meritorious enterprise. We esr.
nestly ask the donators 20 send such eonts.
buttons as their generosity will dictate 70
VI. Paul Dumont, Belgian Bureau, 49, IVES.
Forty-seventh Street, New York City, making
all checks payable TO the Belgian relief tuns
for the Sou du Mutlle.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04

We have been at war four months. Few
OF us, however, have realized this fact, be-
cause we have had no war problems TO solve.
The first real problem with which we have
been brought face TO face is that Of price
control.
When Congress passed the bill giving the
President the right to fix prices on certain
commodities il violated one OF the longest
established traditions OF democracy as we un-
derstand IL in this country. Price control
seems from an academic standpoint simple
and easy thing to inaugurate, but as we come
closer and closer TO the actual doing OF 1t we
find that the cost Of one commodity is mex
tricably bound up with the cost of nearly all
ether commodities and that the problem OF
fixing prices is one Of enormous magnitude
very small amount of consideration SHOWS
clearly that on account Of the nterdepen-
dcnce Of our industrial activities it IS i'm
POSSIBLE to fix an equitable price on any one
commodity unless we consider the price OF
many other commodities. In short, the price
fixing Of one commodity necessitateS the
price fixing OF all commodities.
What Shall Be the Basis?
Tho question which forces itself upon US
at once, then, is, Shall this price-fxing be
done by the Federal government or shall IL
be done by business itself?
II can undoubtedly be done more inteli-
gently by business men than by Washington
bureaus Granting this fact, we must ask
ourselves what shall be the basis on which
prices shall be fixed? In the past prices have
been fixed in such manner as TO return the
greatest possible profit to the investor. In
other words, the prime object of business
has been private profit.
In a time when we are facing skirui'
strong and dangerous enemy, can we con-
slider such basis? Or must we in self
defence fix prices at such figure as Will
produce tho greatest benefit to the people as
a whole and thereby increase to maximum
strength the working and fighting power OF
the nation?
The conditions in Europe indicate that our
war task is enormous and that we shall re-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Too Much Mystery
lr of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I want to express my opinion in re-
gard to keeping secret the whereabouts OF
our soldiers in France. have son in the
regular army, supposedly now in France. |
have not heard from him since he passed
through Sedalia, No.
What is the meaning Of this ridiculous pol
icy of our government, keeping the news
from the parents, when no doubt the Ger
mans know almost to the square foot where
our soldiers arc located in France
l.. II. ROBERTS.
Stony Brook, n. Y, Aug. 81, 1917.