davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
LA TOILETTE RAILS
AGAINST ELIHU ROOT
Wisconsin Senator Criticises
Appointment Of New Yorker
to Head Commission.

A bitter attack on the selection Of
Elihu Root to head the commission to
Russia was made on the floor of the
Senate last night by Senator La Fol-
lette.
In the course of q lengthy speech
against conscription, Senator La Fol-
lette took OCCASION to decry the infiu-
ences which he said were working in
this country against popular govern
ment.
This led him to refer In scathing
terms to the selection OF Root to
teach democracy to the Russian peo-
pie. He said:
"I have heard Senators talk about
democracy and how much we are to
do for other governments in spread
ing the doctrine OF democracy. Just a
few days ago the country was thrilled
with the announcement that the Presl-
dent, thoroughly in sympathy with
Russia to establish a free government,
and wanting to promote their efforts
and sustain them. had selected as a
pilot for them in their struggles
through the maze. the distinguished
gentleman who formerly represented
New York in this Senate, Elihu Root.
"As I remember, that distinguished
gentleman took a very active part in
constitutional convention a few
years ago in New York. His influ-
ence, was, OF course. very potential,
and the document was submitted to
the people. The plain people rejected
II by a majority OF about 100000. Mr..
Root had been prominently mentioned
as almost sure to be nominated can
didate on the Republican ticket, but
after the people of New York. had
passed upon the cunning OF his handi-
work 1t led very promptly to his with
drawal.
But in these days OF new apostles
of democracy he has been selected by
this Administration to go to Russia
and aid the Russian people.
"I imagine that some OF the people
recently released from Siberia, who
remember the obstacles which he con
tinually placed in the WY OF their
securing an asylum in this country.
will perhaps enlighten some OF those
political refugees. and they will per-
haps have a pretty fair understanding
as to lust how far to follow his coun-
sell. These are great days for democ-
racy. Mr.. President.
"Under the new doctrine that now
prevails we are going to draft an
army to go to Europe and shoot de-
mocracy into the German govern
ment" I
Senator La Toilette urged an
amendment for referendum on
conscription and another providing a
system of passing on exemptions
from conscription by local tribunals,
after the manner OF the English law.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Ballad of a Baker.

This Is the tdle Of a Gallo baker,
Who noD Is guest Of the serdphim
He had no need for an undertaken,
As the VdHddls played thG. part for
himi
In August-tide, in the year of flame
cor shall / call 1t the year of Shame ,
To Gerbervillers the Vandals came;
And the Vandal colonel ragged and
roared
Because. forsooth, there was much at
stake,
And there was a stream which he
could not ford,
And there was a bridge which he
could not take,
For he dared not meet the deadly ire
OF the gun that, Is known as the
"rapid-nre,"
And there were twain on the village
ridge
Where the street ran UP from the
river bridge,
And sixty chasseurs to train them.
too,
And hold the town from the vandal
crew.
But sixty men may not face a corps
With the end OF their fighting store in
view,
Hence at last the ehasseurs slipped
away,
And the vandals surEed from the river
shore
Foiied, but frenzy red with the fray
Foiled-and they must have ven
geance! so
The helpless villagers they led
Out in blinded files OF hves
(what-they said-are their silly
lives?),
And though none had lifted a hand
for q blow.
They lined them up and they shot
them dead!
Then they found a baker, a harmless
fellow,
back where his ovens were.
In which his cakes of white and yell
low
He baked for the peaceful vIIlager.
And just to show that hey were not
sloven
On the road to win them a new re-
nown.
They opened the door of the widest
oven
And they shunted the shriekins baker
in
(What was his crime, pray, what was
his sin?l
And they kindIed a FIRE, and they
baked him brown
Brown as one of his loaves. No
doubt
When the dusk dropped down, and the
fire was out,
In the calm and cool OF the eventide,
Where the Gerberyillers fields
stretched wide.
They sat and gravely talked OF Kul-
tur,
For that Is the boast OF the Vandal
Vulture,
I recall that the poet Milton
Pictured q pit not lit toith candles:
And since H's fact that this tale 10
built on,
Wouldn't that be q good place for the
Vdnddlsf
Clinton Scollard.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
The Minority Leader

From the beginning of the extra
session of Congress, Mann has con-
sistently and actively worked and
voted for the honor and safety of
his country. He voted for the dec
laration of war. for the passage of
the bond issue, for the selective draft
measure. Whatever his previous
record has been. his present attitude
is beyond criticism, and The Times
is glad to record the fact and to
pronounce its verdict of praise.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Plattsburg Gold Bricks

The passage of the selective con-
scription bill to secure an army being
assured, Congress should turn its at
tention to authorizing a just system
of providing officers for that army.
1t will be notoriously unfair if men,
bers of the Officers Reserve Corps,
who have had scarcely any military
training, but who, by chance merely,
had the opportunity to take the ex-
animation originally specified, are
called to the colors or sent to camp
for additional training with pay,
while other men, who have had more
Plattsburg or national guard expert
ence than they, are denied examina-
ton and required to take the train
ing without pay-and with the pros
pect of a harder test which only one
applicant in three, as a maximum,
can pass.
The case of a national guardsman
who put in more than six months in
border duty during the recent mo-
bilization, is typical. He had spent
some $4,000 on his education, extend
ing over a period of eight years and
embracing three academic degrees.
But he must now cut all business or
professional connections, at no mat
ter,what loss, and 90 to Plattsburg
or some other instruction camp on
an uncertainty at his own cost. The
argument that the man who volun-
teers as . private enlists Tor q much
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
America In Line.

Hail Britannia! Vive la France,
America unsheathes her lance!
America Is in the fight
For human freedom; human right.
Hail Britannia.
Vive la France!
Hail Britannia! Vive la France!
America unsheathes her lance.
For home defense. for honor true.
She proudly takes her stand with you
Hail Britannia!
Vive la FranceI
Hail Britaniai Vive la France!
America unsheatifes her lancei
With God and right, we must prevail!
With God and right, we can not fail!
HAL Britannia!
Vive la Francei
MARTHA s. GIELoW.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Hon Shall the Sacrifice
FOur Soldiers Be Repaid?
Should Not Those Who Stay Behind Assure In
dependence of Fighters Families? Canada,
By Dependent Law" Has Blazed Frail.

! be provided hand in hand with th'
call that goes forth.
II is up to the people of the coun
try to come to tell what they think
should be done, to advise their Con
gressmen and Senators what they fee
ought to be provided.
1t cannot be contemplated that
every man shall be guaranteed the
ordinary quantum of his income as he
leaves, but within reasonable limits
provision should be made so that his
dependents may be able TO live in re
sonable respectability, whatever may
befall.
As recently stated by Sir Herbert
Ames, Canada has sent beyond the
seas over 100000 men. and IL the
United States under similar conditions
were represented likewise she would
have across the ocean an army OF
100000 men today.
How Canada Solved ProbIen.
In Canada, as Sir Herbert Ames fur.
ther explains, it was accomplished,
FIRST by the ordinary pay of the sol
dier, second by a separation fund in
case OF married men which adds an
increment, and lastly by q patriotic
fund which seeks to make up in some
measure the difference between what
his family had while he was at home
mental. act with Canada. but with its
at the front. The last II not q govern
mental act will Canada, but with its
illustration 81 should be made one now
with US.
Pensions. as known in prior wars,
are frequently sbortive. At best they
represent q system Of efficiency large
ly obsolete. They afford no real ef-
fective principle of compensation.
They come after disability or death.
They generally start by legislation
enacted after thousands have passed
on. The door for misuse and fraud
comes and stays open wide.
Congress has to settle a trinity of
things. The. first Is already done-a
fund OF $1,000, 900 900 has been author
ized. The second will by the end of
the week. we hope, be done.
The third Is that Congress should
next week pass a first dependent
law" and later follow It by sequels
a. events demand
We are In to fight. In proportion
as we strike quick and strike with
our best human material in line, so
Is prolongation of the war curtailed.
So IL our help to the allies and our
selves advanced. Millions Of dollars
are saved each day and countless lives
are to be spared by each day that the
wars duration may be lessened-
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

The men of the United States are
called to arms. Ten per cent at most
Of the population. however, are At TO
serve. It is to conditions confront
ing them that these observations are
addressed, The 90 per cent, be they
men, women or children OF thinking
age, can, however, do their part. But
through the agency OF Congress alone
can the pathway for progress be
made clear.
When he responds to this duty, can
q man forget his family? In the
proportion as he leaves them safe Is
not his cheerfulness to endure hard
ship and capacity to undergo hazard
increased? Can any one deny that
those who stay behind may help to
carry the load of the soldiers who go?
These three thoughts are inter
woven-a country, family, unity
OF those who remain behind.
As the primary duty of aa man
runs to his country, so the efficiency
OF his service to It depends upon the
financial independence OF those he
leaves behind. Yet this Independence
depends in turn, after all, upon the
readiness OF those who canot 60 to
make up in some way the less OF
those who do. For those who, stay
risk neither life nor health nor in
come from which the means of sub
sistence must come.
Men with Families Must Go.
The soldiers of the army to take
the field now and most fitted to rem
der the hest service must be between
the ages of IS and IS. With those
who have given consideration to the
physical capacity of men there can
be no question upon this point Be-
tween these ages a man is at the
acme of his endurance and of the
ability, to respond with strength 20
the strain of travel or trench life
which is before him.
II is between the ages OF twenty
five and thirty-five that most men
are married and have the greatest
number OF infantile dependents. They
have more to give to their country
and more to lose to their families.
It Is idle to assume that the pay of
the soldier in the ranks, 90 per cent
of all the force, is enough to support
a family.
The thing to do Is to provide now
a law by which men can feel free to
enlist when duty calls, a soldiers
law. That basis should
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
LETTERS TO TIMES
FROM ITS READERS
Union Veteran Opposes Plan
for Raising Army by
Conscription.
TO TIMES READERS

The Times Is receiving great NUM-
bers Of letters from its readers.
-. No communication t0hich does not
carry the name and address OF the
contributor viH be used, but both
riH be considered confidential u re-
guest IS made.
. Publication tciH not be made Of
letters on uHtimelv subjects or re-
h0ious questions. 1t toiH not pub
Esh abusive personal attacks nor
criticism tchtch The Times deems
unuarTdnted BY the facts as It ktotos
them.
No record Is kept Of unpublished
letters and none tciH be returned Nm
less postage Is irclosed-
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Which Would Be Better?

We can sympathize with the state
Of mind which closes the Rhodes
scholarships to Germans henceforth.
But the intellectual isolation of Teu-
tons after the war may not be the
best way to eradicate the mistaken
philosophy of Kultur. Pummel the
stubbornness out of the German
mind sufficiently and perhaps it can
learn something after all, if it has
the opportunity.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
lis HOMINY FISH?
ENVOYSDIDN'TKNOW
That's Only a SideIight on I'm
pressions Gained by Allies
on Visit to America.

Here IL a summary of what the
members OF the British commission
have learned since arriving in the
United States:
They realized Immediately after
their arrival that they were very
raw"
When handed menu cards on dining
cars and in hotels they did not know
how to order food. They ventured
the task OF ordering with trepidation
and fear. They did not know whether
hominy meant fish or desert.
The neatness, pleasantness, and at
tractiveness OF the offices in the
State, War aud Navy building, the
marble halls, tiled floors, and fittings
OF the offices impressed them.
Amazed By "LIfts.-
The speed OF our elevators, "goIng
ripping along" amazed them They
say that the elevators installed in the
British foreign office by the "tsar-
Always" do not travel as fast as trees
grow in this country.
They observed that the insulators
used on telegraph and telephone wire
poles in this country are made of
glass. while in England they are made
OF china
That United States cavalrymen use
cowboy stirrups rather than the
smaller ones used In the British army.
That Americans finish a days work
before going to clubs and cafes, while
Britishers break the day with tea in
the afternoon.
That there Is in America a "beat-
ing. burning patriotism and a desire
to be OF service on all sides"
That the Panama Canal spirit" the
determination to go through with
whatever task Is undertaken, prevails
in the United States.
That high ideals obtain here, and
that they can be touched by great
men and great causes.
To Feed the World.
That while rich and sympathetic
persons started the Belgian relief
fund. the people living in the rural
districts and along the rivers are now
starting a world relief fund to save
the world from starvation.
That President Wilson's expression,
service to mankind" has been
adopted as national slogan In the
United States.
That this country Is an immense
storehouss OF potential forces far
greater than the rest OF the world
realizes.
That the press is OF invaluable as
sistance.
That sit Is tremendously worth
while to win the respect and esteem
of this great nation"
This summary was made today by
Godfrey Butler, official spokesman
for the British mission. at a dinner
attended by all the members, and at
which each OF them gave his opinion
as to what impressed him most, and
what interested him most. Mr.. Butler
spoke with some emotion as he de-
tailed the Impressions he and his as
sociates had gotten since coming here
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Sub Specie EternItatus.

hold the stars in my fist
And zodiacs glow on my breast,
Ny breathing's the etheric mist
Where men and gods swirl at my
hest.
My wrath Is the whirlpool Of nations,
My smile the re-risen Light.
Ny eyes are the beds OF creations,
Ny heartbeats the thunders of
Might.
1 CLEAN and I-shine in the darkness,
] am shadow at the bosom of day.
stand in your heart in my stark
ness
am nowhere, yet here and for aye!
Benjamin De Casseres.
DON MARQUIS.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

Germany would probably apologize
for sinking that American schooner. IL
we were still neutral. by declaring that
the submarine commander mistook II
for a hospital ship or vessel laden
with relief supplies for Belgium.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

The determination OF Senator Borah
to leave the Senate at the expiration
OF his present term fills one with re-
gret, especially when one considers
some OF the present Senators who will
have to be pried loose with the crow
bar Of q popular election
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

The argument seems now TO be that
the Confederacy resisted the Federal
Government so long and often so vic
toriously because It presented a con-
script army against a volunteer one.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Tomorrow.

Address BY Charles Sumner Hill before
Woman Wage Farmers Association, 7O4 T
street northwest. p. m
Address by II. Martin Williams, colored
branch. Y. II. C. A, 1916 Twelfth street
northwest. 3;45 p. m
Lecture. Gods Purpose In Creation" by
Prof William l. Washington. Zion Baptist
and a half streets southwest. s p. m.
Twelfth annual church service. Society Of
Colonial Danes. st. Marks Church, Third
and streets southeast. II m.
Lecture India and the War" by Prof.
George F. EnOch. Polls. 5 p. m.
Meeting. Washington Secular League, Pyth-
ian Temple. y. m
Lecture Industrial Standards In War Time"
by Miss Mary ID. Hopkins. Suffrage head
quarters, 1875 Rhode Island avenue. l:5o
y. m.
Try out" debate OF society Of Young Mems
Hebrew Association. at Y. W. H. A. Home,
1880 Tenth street northwest, .. M.
Afternoon tea. National American Woman
Suffrage Association, 1875 Rhode Island ave-
nue. northwest, 4:9os p. m
Lecture Emancipation OF the Human
Race" by T. E. Barker. Associated Bi5.s
students. old Masonic Temrle , D. m.
Address. The Breath OF Life" Ly Dr. Riley
II. Moore. Washington Secular Lce51e,
PythiAn Temple, D. m.
Drill OF members OF National Capital MIL
Lecture. The Public Schools" by Prof W.
b. Patterson, Liberal Religious Union. All
Souls Church. p. M.
Lecture, what the Bible Says About Sslec-
tive Draft" by p o. Alexander. Polls.
D. m.
Annual convention Of Holy NaEls Society. 81.
Dontnio's Catholic CAu-ch.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
400 sTUoENT-sLAckERs OUT.

AUSTIN, Tex. April 2s-The State
University has dropped 400 men stu
dents from Its rolls because they
faile to enroll for a course in mill.
tary Science. About 1900 students
have applied for admission to the
citizens military training camp at
Ian Springs May &
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

One thing is certain, there will be
no difference between a conscript
who refuses to serve and a convict.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Don Marquis
Column

Not long after Eve bit that apple the
Garden Of Eden became an abandoned
farm.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

The German propaganda Is just now
temporarily submerged. When il comes
up again will the periscope be disguised
TO represent a Pacifist or a Socialist
The Washington times., 1917-04-28

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
Please give me space to say to Con-
gressmen, readers of The Times, and
the people generally that IL the con-
scription bill now becomes a fixed
law, 1t could not be viewed in any
other lightlthan a direct insult to the
volunteer American soldiers of the
civil war, both Federal and Confed-
crate. These armies were made up
OF at least 90 per cent volunteer sol
diers, and 1 am correct in the state
ment that for the number engaged
the casualties reported and confirmed
on our many hard-fought battle fields.
was never before or since equaled. II
Mr.. Wilson calls for a large army he
can get them from the North and
from the South under the same old
recruiting plan put into practice in
'61J65, without the danger OF friction
or a serious reaction, which must be
the climax OF forced military service.
WILL II. S. BANKS,
Captain Ninth Lincoln Volunteer
Cavalry.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
This Correspondent Thinks There II
Opportunity At Home On which To
Spend Excess Energy.

InB COrreBpOnoent TninkB Tnere IL
Opportunity At Home On which To
spend Excess Energy.
To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Won't the people of America calm
down a little and instead OF making
war on foreigners, kindly take a look
out of their back doors and on their
side streets and see a little of the
horrible misery right at their own
gates.
am a visitor in your beautiful
city, but my. heart aches at the suf-
fering allowed to go on right in your
midst-my narrow outlook discloses
In the alley OF Eighteenth and NJ
streets northwest four tumble-down
brick pig stys, where three families
OF self-respecting colored people
live. r.
The center one Is occupied by a
dear old dignifed couple-both badly
crippled with age and disease-the en-
tire winter have never seen a bit OF
smoke from their chimney-both are
as clean and neat as they can be with
their terrible limitations. I feel sure
they have not even necessities, OF
course none OF the comforts, OF life.
With all these vast sums being ex-
pended isn't there any milk OF human
kindness left for our own poor people
at home-fuel and a little OF the COM
mon staple foods would help that
dear old couple-trying SO hard to
be decent and self-sustaining under
such fearful odds.
In fact the whole place would be
condemned by other cities interested
in sanitation and decency.
A SOJoURNER AND OBSERVER IN
YOUR CITY.
To Arms, Ye Men of the Land.
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Unfurled to the breezes OF heaven,
the Star-Spangled Banner floats
free.
Through the trials and fears of a
hundred years II has sheltered
you and me.
Each star and each stripe in Old
Glory holds a chord to Americas
heart.
nished; to arms. ye men OF the
1t has floated high in tropic skys,
and baffled the Western gales,
And the flag OF the land. for united
we stand. has guarded our native
wales.
Then for the stars and stripes in Old
Glory. for the stripes OF the red.
white, and blue
Awake, ye sons OF Dixie, The world
looks Southwark to you.
It Is the flag that our fathers gave
US, that thousands have died TO
save,
For the blue stands for right, the
red for might, and the white for
the pure and the brave.
Then to think that the flag Is in
suited, the lgle rings Westward
afar-
oh, enlist. We men OF the praIries!
For the Union is calling to war.
From the Lone Star State of Texas.
stretching north to the Canada
From the strands OF the gentle Pa
cIhc to the Atlantic's heaving
brine.
The East and the West are united.
the North and the South clasp
hands
Hark! America Is calling her chill
dren. To arms. ye men of the
land.
WALTER CHAMBLIN. JR.
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
WHATS ON PROGRAM
To-day.


Reading. Missr Victoria Sidccns, Beleo1r,
Seminary, .. m.
Convention, American Society Of Intsrna-
tional law. Willard Hotel, morning, attsr-
noon and evening.
College Equal Suffrage League meeting. Ia,l
Rhode Island avenue. 4 to o'clock
Lecture, America" by r. Hayes Hamilton.
photologuer, National Cathedral School, !
D. m.
Inspection Of local bakeries by George wash
ington University Chemical Society.
Hike by Y. W. @. A Girls, from AQusdues
Bridge. y. m.
Recruiting rally for District Guard. D. y.
Reith's Theater. noon.
Vaudeville sketches by Spanish-American n
Atheneum at immaculate Conception Hall.
Eighth and " streets northwest, s D. m.
Smoker by Active Chapter. Kappa Alpha Fra
ternity. 2oli Columbia road. $50 D. m.
Annual meeting, Arkansas Society of Wash
ington. W. c. T. U. Hall. 80 Sixth street
northwest, $50 D. m
General meeting OF Socialist Party Of Dis
trict, Socialist headquarters, sli street
northwest. p. m
Masonic-Schooi OF Instruction: Washington
Centennial Lodge. No. II.
Odd Fellows-Canton Washington, No. I, Pat
riarchs Militant
The Washington times., 1917-04-28
Amusements.

Belasco-''Ths Princess Pat" Els and s:.o
New NatIonal-"The Little Missus," .:iS and
$50 p. m
Poifs-New Poll Players. in within the
Law" 2:i5 and Sis p. m.
B. F. Keith's-Naudeville. 2:l5 and Sis D. m.
Gayety-Burlesdue. 2:l5 and Sis p. m.
LoeW's Columbia-Photoplays. 1880 a- m TO
IL p. m.
strand-Photoplays II a. m. to II D. m.
Garden-Photoplays. II a. m to p. m.