davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Fire Department or Labor Union ?

Senator Gilchrist has introduced this
time the annual measure to transform the
fire departments of first class cities into
labor unions-that is, TO establish two
platoon system. It is to he hoped that this
vicious measure will meet this year no
kinder fate than has overtaken it in its
previous incarnations.
A two-platoon system means the dividing
Of the fire department into two squads OF
officers and men, working fixed hours
the day squad quitting when the night
squad reports and being free from further
duty. save in case Of fire at quitting time
or some crisis. The trouble with the
theory is that a fireman, once off duty,
would be unreachable if an emergency oc-
CURED. Moreover, the fixed-hours type of
mind is precisely the type Of mind which
renders a fireman incapable Of doing the
work which his job requires, and the work
for which he is paid highly and treated
Literally in the way Of time off, vacations,
pensions and the like The valuable fire
man is the man who gives his whole
thought and ambition to his job. regardless
of 'hours" He serves his city well, re-
ceives good treatment in return and al
most inevitably wins the rewards Of his
profession.
Fire is a foe which keeps no regular
hours. It sends no warnings Of its ap-
proach. The fire department which copes
with this foe cannot afford to have two CO
ordinate squads. with arriving time and
quitting time, and divided responsibility
for the work of protecting the city's prop
erty and lives. Every fire commissioner
and every fire chief since the formation of
the greater city has opposed this danger
Gus proposal, out of the fitness Of his ex-
perience The best it deserves is TO be
choked TO death painlessly in committee.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Enforced Honesty in Eggs

1t is a victory Of considerable strategic
importance which Commissioner Dillon Of
the State Department Of Foods and Mar
kets has won over the egg dealers in the
courts. Justice Blur has upheld his order
that each cold storage egg must be stamped
to indicate that fact. 81 am quite Ger
tain" said the Justice that the regula-
ton lies wholly within the powers Of the
Commissioner and that ii is perfectly
reasonable under the circumstances
To be sure, this ruling, given in connec-
ton with an injunction to compel certain
dealers to obey the order, may be over
turned on the trial Of test cases. But
there are intimations from some Of the
dealers that they will not endeavor to fight
the order further-in which case the Com
missioner need worry only about enforcing
it. In that he will have the hearty APP
proval and ought to have the active CO.
operation Of all housewives.
There has been a great deal of egg
Juggling in this town, and much money
made crookedly in winter by selling storage
eggs at the price of the almost unprocur-
able fresh laid article. The Dillon order
requires egg merchants to do, at COM
paratively slight cost, only what they
ought to do willingly and without quibbling
to deal honestly with their customers.
Many Of them are, manifestly, extremely
sore at being forced to be honest.
The public can have no sympathy with
them. The egg stamping order would
never have been dreamed Of if crooked egg
dealers had not made it necessary. This
enforced honesty ought not to hurt the
business Of selling eggs, so far as that
/ business is legitimate, and it certainly
should help the public TO get its moneys
worth.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
To Alice
New York, Jan. 3, 1917.

For four and forty years and more,
Sweet girl, our lives have coursed as one;
And since the day your heart was won,
Each made me stronger than before.
Stronger in all the things that bless.
Reflected from your womanhood
In quiet ways for doing good;
In patience, hope and tenderness.
Earnest, forgiving. just and true;
With eyes that the good, and had
No recognition for the bad,
built my better self on you.
No cloud so dark no hope so faint,
But somewhere promise could be found,
And your belief would spread around
The sweet communion OF saint.
The steadfast faith found in you,
Through every nerve and fibre sent
The thrill OF such encouragement
As spurred me on to dare and do.
Your CHEEKY smile. your tireless skill,
The helpful, wise solcitude
With which you watched our growing brood
Remains an inspiration still.
As all our past comes into view,
The retrospection makes me see
The very much you've done for me,
The little | have done for you.
Dear heart know how glad you are
To give with no desire 70 get
Your blindness to yourself-and yet
know I've let you 20 too far.
It's mine 70 see each season sends
New pleasures that will cheer your way,
And closer link. each passing day,
Ourselves, our children and our friends.
NJ H. GILLIAN
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Ending Petticoat Intrigue

The ruthless exposure of Mrs. Corn
wallis-West and her allies in the British
army is as encouraging a sign as could
come out Of England. It means much more
than the deserved punishment of one med
ding woman and some weak-minded Off
GERS. Judging by the impossibility Of such
naked publication of the truth in the
past. II marks savage overturn of Brit
ish methods and the promise Of relentless
warfare upon inefficiency and muddling
wherever found.
Such petticoat intriguing is no new
story in the British army. Gossip gave 1t
a commanding voice during the Boer war.
An attack upon Sir John French in the
House of Lords specifically accused the
British commander in chief of subordlnat-
ing his headquarters in France to petit
coat influence. The influence has done in
calculable injury 10 the whole British gov
ernmental system in the belief of many
clear-eyed Englishmen. Mr. Wells paints
a portrait of exactly such a female inter
meddler in "Mr. Drifting Sees 1t Through.
From this angle, the influence of this class
of women is not so much vicious as self
seeking, petty and mischiovous. They
merely add one more item to the whole
elaborate structure of easy-going muddle
which has so terribly hampered England
at war.
This structure cannot be demolished IN a
day. It is the hope of England's enemies that
it cannot be demolished within the period
Of the war, and the best aspect Of the Corn
wallis-West episode is the swift ruthless
ness with which. the report strikes out.
Only by such drastic measures can reform
be speeded up so as to save the day. This
first conspicuous act Of the new ministry
serves a needed notice and points the way
There is hardly need of further proof that
the ginger is working.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
A Misleading Plea

M (. II. Hall appeals in a circular
letter TO the friends of Niagara" urging
them to consider the Critical situation Of
the Falls since the United States Senate
decided to countenance the temporary di-
version Of the water still due to this coun-
try under the treaty with Canada, and re-
ouesting that they "send their remon-
strances at once to their Congressman, and
later, if necessary, to the President. if the
effects of this so-called temporary measure
and the more permanent measure for
which it psves the way arc to be averted.'
Il is TO be hoped they Will do nothing Of
the kind The amiable letter writers Of
the American Scenic and Historic Preser-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
1864 and 1917
DFrom The Philadelphia Inquirer


A correspondent asks If We can give COM
parison between the war conditions in this
country in January, 1864, and in Europe at
the present.
in 1864 the armies OF the Union and the
Confederacy faced each other on tolerably
near the same terms as a year before, in
spite Of the fact that Vicksburg and Gettys-
burg had interviewed. The Confederacy had
lost heavily at Chattanooga, but considered it
no more than an Offset for Chickamauga.
The important point TO be made rs that the
hardest fighting of the war took place be
tween May /. 1864, and the surrender at APP
pomattox in the following April
During the nearly twelve months Grant
made his terribly costly but final campaign
Sherman took Atlanta and marched to the
sea. while Hood was smashed at Franklin and
Nashville. During this period the armies
were at their best, composed of veterans and
more skilfully handled than ever on both
sides. But when Sherman finally occupied
Atlanta, mannuvred Hood to the northwest
where Thomas took care of him, and went to
the sea, he found the Confederacy hollow
she'll" All its resources had been expended
in maintaining its power at the battle line.
Evidently our correspondent is Of the opln-
ion that the same conditions exist in Ger
many. that its resources have been expended
in maintaining long line Of battle and that
if a break is once made there will be speedy
collapse. We 90 not know, but there are
some signs 90 indicate that this is the case.
Certainly German men, money and resources
of every kind have been expended in the last
two and half years 20 a much greater ex-
tent than it has been possible to repair them
Evidently that is the belief of the Allies.
Who would have thought in the spring OF
1912 that soon Napoleon would be a prisoner
Al Elba? 1t is impossible 10 know the real
conditions in the Central Empires but it is
likely that the coming campaign will disclose
them. In war the most surprising changes
often take place very quickly. We make no
prediction but it is not unlikely that this
war will have the same characteristics as
those which have preceded IT,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Let the War Go On

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Yesterday there came to me beck
written by an American woman, the wife OF
Polish nobleman. / wish that every reader
Of The Tribune could be persuaded 70 buy
when tho Prussian Came 70 Poland In
il Nine. Turczynowicz NEE BlackwelD Civ"
US a most vivid picture OF what German
"Kultur7 does for Poland. We know women
whose motherhood would enable them 70 en-
dure the trials she passed through, but speas-
ing for my own wife, / know that she Wouia
have been driven insane.
As clergyman in years past, there Rave
been times when tho imprecatory psalms
seemed out OF place in the Christian dispense
ton, but since reading that book the very a.
mosphere seems changed, and / now An0s
that nothing less than those stern outcres +"
the soul are needed:
Reward them according 20 their deeds ana
according 10 the wickedness OF their own ~
ventions. Recompense them after the Wof'
Of their hands, pay them that they have a.
served.
Pour out Thine indignation upon them, 'n1
let Thy wrathful displeasure take hold o.
them.
Let their habitation be void, and no m'n
dwell in their tents. -.
Let them be wiped out OF the book OF %.
wing and not be written among the righteous
No one can read "When the Prussians Cans
20 Poland" and not recognize In what per"
we stand. -
There is need Of protest Of some Nn'
which will make known 10 England, Franz
Russia and Italy that Wilson with bis noe'
and Lansing with his double-faeed interP''
tation Of them are not voicing the feelings "
America. .,
We feel that the man who was silent Owe.
the invasion Of Belgium snd has done MOI
in the matter OF the sinking OF the Lu''",
lis not representing US in these etof's ~.
peace Germany and Austria are ore"A''-
We are on the threshold Of victory. LEI y.
war, with all its horrors, go on and on D.
must 20 on until the German nation IS fs',.
to dethrone the Kaiser and 70 humble 10
dust the military caste which has bee" '
curse Of the civilized world ,,..
AN AMERICAN OF EIGHT GENERAL iO''
OF AMERICANS.
Fort Du Pont, Delaware, Dec IS, 1910.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05

walton Society are probably moved by the
best intentions in the world, but, If 1t may
be said without offence, their outlook Is
little narrow, their manner Of presenting
truths TO the world little wanting IN the
article Of candor.
The limited States is entitled under the
treaty to take 10000 cubic feet OF water
per second. The amount actually used Is
Is 600. and the demand at present--a de-
mand supposed TO be met half way by an
inadequate temporary measures for the
remaining 4.400. The preservers of seen
erv pretend to discover in this demand
plot of the power companies, as If they had
conspired in some way TO enrich them
selves by robbing the innocent sghtseer'
This is pure humbug. What power short
age may mean in reality was set forth
forcibly month ago in "Metallurgical and
Chemical Engineering:
The real sufferers will he those who de-
pend upon the Niagara Falls products; the
users OF oil kinds Of steel into every ton
of which Niagara Falls ferro-silicon enters
IS a necessary constituent, the inhabitants
of all the cities throughout the country
depending on Niagara Falls chlorine Tor
purifying their water supply, the machine
shops absolutely dependent on Niagara
Falls abrasiyes, the automobile manuisct-
urers. the gold miners, and so on. The un-
fortunate ultimate consumer will soon
find that for some mysterious reason the
cost of hundreds Of articles which he uses
every day OF his life has increased.
The constantly growing activity IN
electro-chemical industries concerns every
one of us, and the attempt 10 represent
the demand for power as a mere matter OF
"private advantage and pocket interest
is disingenuous if not merely stupid.
Canada, by the way, has already threat
ened to cut off a large block of power
hitherto exported to this country, as Can
ade has perfect right to do. Why should
Canadian industries be pnched to meet a
shortage entirely due to the folly and dull
ness of our own legislators who have al
lowed themselves to be hypnotized by the
misleading prattle of the preservers OF
scenery?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
NO HELP FROM HOSPITALS
How Can Physicians Be Obtained in an
Emergency?

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In the public interest will you oblige
me by publishing the following facts.
This morning, as a result Of the excitement
caused BY burglary in his apartment, one
Of nv neighbors living at 476 Central Park
West had an attack of heart failure and fell
heavily to the floor After yainly telephoning
for her own physician, his wife entreated me
70 find her some other doctor. Attempts to
secure one in the immediate neighborhood
proved useless. and then telephoned to the
Vanderbilt Clinic. Long delays, due to the
ineffciency of telephone operators, occurred.
At last a polite refusal to send assistance IN
the emergency was given me. ! then phoned
TO the hospital at the corner OF west looth
Street and Central Park West This time,
after another long delay, a woman answered.
7 EXPLAINED that there was urgent need Of a
physician. adding that it was not r charity
case" Though that should not have mat
tered. The reply was a cold-blooded, rude
refusal 70 take any action.
At last two doctors were secured. Mean
while the patient had been lying on his back,
half conscious and apparently dying.
Is it possible that in cases like the one !
have described there is no provision in this
modern, wealthy city for the RELIEF of suf-
ferers? Have no right to demand assist
ance from the hospitals? Ny neighbor might
have died, thanks to the indifference Of the
person who answered my appeal to the lO6th
Street hospital, which, by the bye, stands just
two blocks away from ATS Central Park West,
where l live.
CHARLES HENRY MELTZER.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
In the Event of War

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There is at the present time no general
fear that the United States will be drawn
into the European war. It is, therefore, a
good moment to consider the matter calmly;
for reason tells US that war panic, or war
itself, may overtake us in night.
In case a real war scare should arise, or
real war come upon US. there is one sensible
course to be taken; and that is to do imme-
diately what each OF the Entente Allies has
been forced TO do-resort TO practical dc
tatorship. The forms Of our government
need not be changed BY general consent
the will OF some one man can be made eff
fectual through those forms.
TIE man to fix upon at the outset is Ger
eral Wood. The President, Congress and
every branch Of the government can be given
to understand that in case of war the peo-
pie desire General Woods wishes TO be put
through.
Whether there is enough common sense in
the American people to make them do this,
or whether there would ensue Congress
sional chaos, ruled over by President who
rowed with one oar and backed water with
the other-no one can predict.
The matter depends in large measure upon
the preparation of the public mind for ire
idea. | write this in order to suggest that
in all parts of the country persons of in
iuence prepare their minds for the crisis, and
even 20 further, in the way Of getting to-
gether. so that a popular mandate can be
launched at the proper moment.
The auckness with which our people sub
init in the emergency TO one-man power
will be the measure OF their salvation.
JOHN JAY CHAPMAN.
Barrytown, n. Y, Dec. 80, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
OUR MOTHER COUNTRY
If 1t Is Not England, Who Is 1t? Asks a
Grandson of the Revolution

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Permit me to express my dissent
from the views expressed by Mr.. John Moore
in your columns under date Of Dec. p TAX
ing "a sharp issue" with Mr.. Francis Lynde
stetson in connection with his speech at the
recent dinner of the New England Society.
As SON Of former member of the New
England Society, now deceased, | wish 10
express my entire approval of Mr.. Stetson's
remarks, and in criticising him your CORE
spondent criticises the New England Society,
under whose auspices the speech was deliv-
cred and applauded.
I challenge Mr., Moore's declaration that
England is not our mother country Then
pray. what country is our mother country
II the one to whom we owe our language,
laws, literature and social customs does not
stand in this position to US, then ! would
like to be enlightened as TO what country
does. New York was indeed settled by Hol-
landers and Florida and California by Span
iards, and apart from some interesting build
ings left US they have made but little inn
preston upon our life Even the Dutch Re
formed Church has eliminated the Dutch "
and is known as the Reformed Church.
Our ancestors may not have loved England
but we who have no grievances against her
do not share their feeling. She has been TO
US a good neighbor in Canada, and more than
once we have shared the protection OF he:
navy, whose glory every fair-minded Ameri-
can, following the example Of Admiral Mshsn,
rejoices in.
A GRANDSON OF THE REVOLUTION.
New York, Jan. 8. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
DELAYED Motor Bus Lines

II. as Mayor Mitchell says, the city's ex-
perts have decided that neither of the two
bids for a general motor bus franchise
now pending compenSates the city ade-
oustely. by all means let them be rejected
without further loss o! time. Then, as
promptly as may be, let the city advertise
for new bids.
There has been ap unaccountable and
wholly indefensible delay in every phase
Of this matter. 1t has been pending for
several years. Considerably more than a
year ago the franchise committee Of the
Board Of Estimate decided in favor Of one
Of the competing companies and recon-
mended that a franchise be granted in &C
cordance with It's bid. But its opponent
protested. the subway protested, and final
ly the opposing company slipped in sup
Elementary bid On this and the recon-
mendation of the franchise committee the
authorities have been sleeping for many
months.
This city needs all the new transit facili-
ties it can get. Motor bus lines can aid
materially in enabling the city to keep up
with increasing traffic-no proof Of that IS
needed other than The subway's opposition
to the granting Of the franchises because
they would cut into the city's share mot
the companys share) of the dual subway
SYSTEMS profits. The routes laid out, in
GLIDING important 'cross-town lines, would
be a great advantage to the city. There
sbo1ld be an end TO all this delay.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Samples Letters
OF AMERICAN
Fort Du Pont, De

70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The afixing OF postage stamps 70
tiers is waste Of time; II is not necessary W
all letters. a..
Letters tied in bundles OF one pound OF ~ -
bounds weight, deposited at postof'es' 90.
be paid for by S2-cent or $3.50 posi-
stamp applied to the top letter OF Ouis's
the other letters to receive only the pos'o'-.
date stamp impression containing the '''''
ton prepaid" ,
Letters without postage stamps carried ~ =
bag or basket to postoffce could be Nsls
in bulk, charged for at the pound rave 80 go,
receipt. issued in duplicate, be given TOT r. a,
Envelopes to bear the name snd saoIe '.,,,,
the sender. TO enable the Postohiee 10 h,
letters found addressed to countries "a.
the Postal Union for the higher rate o. 81
age. I. u bANn
New York, Dee. 80, 1914
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Impending Disaster
or OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: / have talked with some Of the most
influential Germans in this country, and they
know and say that Germany will agree to any
terms they have to in order to bring about
peace, as they cannot go on much longer
Why not let the people know these things
and advise the Allies to hold Germany in the
trap they are in until they give up or have q
revolution. which they know is the only al
tentative and what they dread?
A CONSTANT READER.
New York. Jan. !, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Are Americans English?
New York, Jan. 8, 1917.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In The Tribune Of December 80 John
70. Moore attempts TO convince the American
people that the people OF the United States
are not, or were not, originally British. II
Mr.. Moore will consult the United States
Census Bureau at Washington, D. c., ne will
become painfully conscious that he is wide
Of the mark.
Suppose he should run over the list OF
names Of our former Presdents-how many
of them are British? Is it not true that with
them were either English Irish, Welsh OF
Scotch? Come, Mr.. Moore, call the roll
how many of those names sound like Ger
man. French or Dutch? Come on now
Washington. jefferson. Adams, Grant, Lin
coin, Wilson, the mother OF Theodore Roose-
Welt Certainly New York was settled by the
Hollanders, but was it not on disputed terri
tory? Who believes that the Holland strain
predominates in New York?
The question is not whether TINS country
is any better for being Of British origin OF
even if it is as we'll for it, but the question
Is. is it not an indisputable fact that at least
sixty million of the people OF these United
States are plainly of British origin, twenty
million Of whom are Irish' The language
the customs, the religion, both Catholic and
Protestant, the literature, the laws in all the
states except Louisiana are overwhelmingly
British. The Sabbath laws OF this country
are British. Are there any Sabbath laws
except in English speaking countries? Is
there any true civilization where there Is no
recognized Sabbath? DAVID STANTON.
BROOKLYN. Dec 80. 1918
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Torpedo-Proof Cargo Ships

p f00I IHe I0nu0H If1lt3I
Admiral Of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux,
NJ. P, has been informed by the Board Of
Trade that proposals for the building Of
cargo-carrying steamers specially con-
structed to resist torpedo attack we're sub
mitted by the Admiralty some time ago and
fully considered by their expert advisers.
They were not adopted because the experts
considered they would involve so great re
duetion of csrgo-earrying capacity as 70 be
commercially imprscticable
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Treason

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; As one who never could understand
Why importance should be attached 20 the
correspondence OF court stenographer ]
join others m acclaim Of our monarch, Bern
storf However. I still hope and pray for
our Venizelos Roosevelt
A TRAITOR TO THE KING.
New York. Jan. 8. 1917.