davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Congress Speeding Up

The Senate actually passed the bill
yesterday, already passed by the
House, increasing the enlisted
strength of the navy from $1,000 to
10000 men, and of the marine corps
from 17,4O0 to 10000.
It is true that Senator McCumber
had to take up a considerable amount
Of time with an amendment provid-
ing for a board to take up proposed
invention and mechanism for the
purchase of merchant vessels. But
that was the only waste of time in
volved in the passage of the bill.
The Senate then proceeded to in
troduce the bill from the Agriculture
Committee for the conservation of
food and the conference report on
the military bill was also introduced
and should be passed today.
The House debated the revenue
act, but the real business of debate,
the introduction of amendments for
the purpose of perfecting the meas
ure, has not yet begun. The Presi-
dents interview with the leaders of
Congress last night should have a
good effect.
Meantime, the Senate has in
creased the House bill for urgent de-
ficiencies for the army and navy by
authorization of S75O,OOO,OOO for Gre
ating a merchant marine and an i'm
mediate emergency shipping fund of
405,00O,O0O.
Evidently Congress has heard
from the people and believes that
the time for talk has ended and for
action has begun.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Beyeridge As a Prophet

III luck seems TO pursue the for
mer Senator from Indiana when he
assumes the role of prophet about in
ternational relations. His Russian
Advance" had hardly been published
when the Russians began their re-
treat before the advance of Japan,
which latter country Beveridge ex-
pected to be overwhelmed by Russia.
And now there comes a belated
article in Golfers Weekly, entitled
"What to Do About Mexico in
which there is some alarming infor-
nation.
OF course it is easy to say that if
we had pursued the right" course in
Mexico at is likely we would not
have been drawn into the European
conflict at ALL" The unreal condi-
tional is a safe mood for a statesman.
But when he declares that Mexico
commands the near Pacific, the Gulf
and their commerce, we wonder # we
have overlooked the acquisition by
Mexico of a powerful navy. And
when he goes on to affirm that Mex
leo also controls the Panama Canal"
we are dumfounded. until we reach
the modification that Mexico, if
strong enough, could dominate this
American waterway" If strong
enough, she could follow Zimmer-
mann's suggestion and take over
Texas. Also, if the skies fall we
shall all catch larks.
Beveridge sees a threefold menace
to our safety in an alliance with
Mexico, after the European war is
over, on the part either of Britain,
Germany, or Japan, an alliance that
is in some underlined way to give us
a lot of trouble. 1t happens, how
ever, that Japan and Britain are our
allies in this war, ar Germany is
our enemy. The Japanese bogy is
especially frightful in the Beveridge
vision. Yet it is difficult to get the
American people just now to worry
unduly about the future relations of
Mexico with either our allies or our
enemy. One war is enough for one
time.
The whole article sounds like a
campaign document that was held
The Washington times., 1917-05-16

over from last falls literature. Now
that the campaign is over, however,
and the American people have en-
tered the great war, there are few
Americans who are not glad that
Mexico was left to work out her own
salvation and that we do not have
two wars on our hands, with our mill
tary forces detained with the task of
policing that country and our navy
hunting for German submarine bases
on the Mexican gulf coast. One at a
time, please.
So when Beveridge gives his opin-
ion that Germany's suggestion of an
alliance with Mexico and Japan Sur
prised nobody but American politi-
cians," we must assume that he was
not surprised. Perhaps he was made
acquainted with Germany's deep de-
signs in that memorable interview
with the Kaiser, which could be ad-
vertised but not revealed. What
amused the United States, however,
was the lack of a sense of humor on
the part of Zimmerman in making
the offer of Texas and other border
ing States to Mexico. The former
Senator from Indiana seems to have
the same fatal defect.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
WhirligiEery.

The time has come to mobilize
The idle brains OF every size,
And put them at some public work
To beat the Devil. Hun, and Turk.
Indeed, IL this were promptly done
'Twould equal harnessing the sun.
The class included thus at once is
Composed of scholars and Of ounces.
OF rich and poor, the sanity, crooks.
Both young and old, nor overlooks
Those who perversely use their knobs
lnventing whims and jiggumbobs.
The crank whose cerebellic top
Must spin because IT cannot stop;
And he whose mental gyroscope
Doth whistle under stress of dope;
-..I those oppressed Dy heavy strain
OF fiat wheels pounding in the brain.
The waste of centrifugal force
In mental whirilgigs land verse)
Might be employed in wondrous wise
For some tremendous enterprise,
Like turning darkness into day.
The problem is to find the way.
j. A. z.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Get Them NOwI

An ounce of prevention is worth
several foot-pounds of energy de-
voted 10 alleviation. Gentle spring
yesterday loosed her hold on Wash
ington and let regular old-time sum-
mer get a long delayed whack at the
thermometers. Yesterday there were
probably born in Washington and its
environs several millions of flies. To-
day looks like another good day for
them. Each one if permitted to marry
and multiply will by the end Of sum-
mer be the ancestor or a progeny no
more understandable to the lay mind
than the figures involved in the war
bond issue.
The answer is: Get them now.
Poison them, trap them, put salt on
their tails and tame them; but get
them now. This is open season for
the fly.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
LETTERS TO TIMES
FROM ITS READERS
Communications on Timely
Topics Of Interest.
SEEKS FOOD CONTROL
Writer Believes Government Should
Act in Crisis Without Delay.
SEEKS FOOD CONTROL
TO TIMES READERS

The Times q receiving great AuHs-
bsrs Of letter from its readers.
No communication OhicA does not
carry the name aud address Of the
contributor toiH be used, but both
isiH be considered conhdeHttoI " re-
guest is made.
Publication triH not bs usods Of
letters on HHtimeIy subjects or re-
H0foHs questions. II tOiH not pub
Hsh abusive personal attacks nor
criticism tohich The Times deems
uHOorTaHted by the facts as It knotps
them.
No record Is kept Of WnpHbHsAed
letters and none t0iH Be returned m
less postage is inelosed.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Interesting Events Of Importance.
Scheduled for Today.

Last dinner and meeting Of season OF wash
ington Association Of Credit Men. CONNER
Concert BY RubinsteIn Club for benefit Of Rel
Cross Memorial Continental Hall $50 D. m.
High School GonzaEa College HaI, a I
Graduating exercises of isi7 elass. Columbia
Hospital Training School for Nurses. Con-
necticut avenue and L street northwest. SIS
y. m.
Annual conference Of National Association for
Advancement Of Colored People. First Con-
gregationai Church, D. m
Annual Nay carnival by pupils of Miss Mado-
lin Smithson, Casino rheater. F street. near
Annual election Washington Wellesley Club.
home Mrs. Ernest Knaebel. 57G Morrison
street. .. m
Annual convention. American Federation Il
Arts. the Raleigh.
Meeting Of Board OF Education. Franklin
School. $50 D. m
Regular monthly meeting Emma 5. shelton
W. c. T. T.. Of Petworth and Park View.
ONE Of Mrs. G. Evans, sos Randolph
Twenty annual convention Of En-
worth Leagues Of Washington. Petworth II.
National Training School. D. m.
Meeting Of South Washington Citizens As
sociatiOn- jefferson School Assembly Hail.
Concert. United States Marine Band. POtO-
Concert United states Soldiers Home Band.
y
Masonic-washington Centennial Lodge. No.
"a: Osiris, No IS, and East Gate. No. -.
Columbia Chapter. No. /. and BrightYood
No. 3. Royal Arch: Potomac Commandery
No. ,. Knights Templar: Robert de BrucS
Council Knights Kadosh. Scottish Rite;
Areme Chapter. No. 10, Order Of the East
ern Star.
Odd Fallows-Eastern Lodge. No :: Federal
City, No. 90 and Harmony, No. .: Mt
Nebo Encampnlent, No. s.
Knights OF Pythias-Mt. Vernon Lodge. No
). and Equal, No. Il: Friendship Temple
No 3. Pythian Sisters.
WoOdmen % the Worid-oak Camp. North
east Temple; Cedar Camp. Park road post
office; National Camp, Anacostia Masonic
Hall.
National Union-TreaSury. No. 80; Post or
fee. No. 204: Mt. Vernon, No. fSi, and Con
gressioual. No. SO.
Red Men-HousewRrming and celebration
White Eagle Tribe. No. u.
Second informal dance. Triangle Club OF
Master Masons OF Department OF AErieul-
ture. Arcade, p. m.
Address by Col. Heron. OF British commits
sion. TO officers Of army and quarteruia >
ter corps. Army Medical School. 4s4 Louis
lana avehue, p. m
Lecture, America" by r. Hayes Hamilton
Home Club. S:S0 D. m.
Get-Together Meeting and dinner. Fourteenth
Street Business Mems Association New
Cochran. Fourteenth and X streets north
west, p. m.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Germany confesses Defeat

The long address of Chancellor
Bethmann-Hollweg, consisting large
" of reasons for his refusal to state
the terms of peace which Germany
will accept, shows how hard pressed
the imperial government is with at
tacks from the extreme right and the
extreme left. But through it all
there is a confession of defeat for
the alleged objects Of the war. No
more significant document has come
out of Germany since the war began.
The dilemma in which Bethmann-
Hollweg found himself has already
been described in these columns. To
state such terms as would satisfy the
Junker element would be to nerve
the allies anew, consolidating Rus
sian opposition and endangering the
government itself through the So
cialist revolt.
On the other hand, to confess fail
ure would have been to enrage the
Junker element and probably lead to
the chancellor's immediate downfall.
More ominous still to German
hopes of victory is the great bold
ness Of expression by Socialist lead
ers. They were frank enough to say
what the chancellor tried to avoid
saying, namely, that Germany was
already defeated. Ledebour, for ex-
ample, said: with the exception of
extravagant visionaries, nobody be-
lieves' that Germany can win a war
of subjugation. It is true that a
separate peace with Russia cannot be
achieved, but the Russian govern
ment can convert the entente, and in
this direction we ought to assist it"
Scheideman, leader of the Social
lists, declares-"the chancellor must
say what he wants. 1t is our task to
expose this playing with the lives of
the people, and we cry to all govern
ments, 1T is enough If France and
Great Britain renounce annexation
and Germany insists thereon, we
shall have a revolution in this coun-
try"
The significant thing here is that
the government evidently believes it.
self too weak to crush the Socialist
opposition without endangering its
own existence. The chancellor's Of
fer of peace with Russia is thus neg
atived in advance on the floor of the
Reichstag itself.
The American mission to Russia
has been completed in all its person
mel and should arrive in Russia at an
opportune time for such assistance
as America can give in the way of
restored credit, rehabilitation of the
transportation system, and assurance
of Americas sympathy and support
toward the new republic that was
launched in such an extreme crisis
of the nations affairs.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Claims vOsrnns Made False state

Claims VOgrnAs Made False State
ments-
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
Having just returned from a trip
to New York, | have had the oppOr-
tunity of reading in your esteemed
paper OF May o a letter signed by
a certain Mr.. Vournas regarding the
question of the Venlzelos recogni-
ti0n.
1t is not my intention to give any
answer. in my capacity as secretary
OF the Greek Liberal Association OF
Washington, to the insults contained
in that letter against the noble repre-
sentative OF the Greek nation. Pre-
mier Venizelos. the great statesman.
as some weeks the British premier.
Lloyd George. characterized him in
the House OF Commons. But 1t Is my
duty to protest in the name OF our
association. which includes as its
members the big majority OF the
Greeks residing in this town, against
two false assertions OF Vournas:
(a) It is thoroughly untrue that
there exists in Washington 500 roy
alists of Greek birth. There are
hardly fifty. as 1t was shown on last
December 81 during the liberal mass
meeting held at Odd Fellows Hall.
Particulars OF that meeting have been
reported by both the Washington
Post and the Washington Herald OF
January I.
(b) IL is thoroughly Incorrect to as
sert that Greeks protesting loyalty to
King Constantine are loyal to the
United States, too. This is as much
impossible as Il Is impossible for an
American Of German extraction to be
loyal toward America and to the
orders OF the Kaiser. too. Whoever
is loyal to Constantine Is disLOyal to
the allies: and who is dislOyal to the
allies is disloyal TO the United States.
In order to have you Informed
about the real hostility Of the Greek
King toward Great Britain and
France, l beg to inclose herewith a
record Of the Kings hostile acts. 1t
naturally lies upon you to draw the
consequences that eventually could
have resulted to those who professed
loyalty to a King whose acts show
his secret alliance with the Teutons.
c. GEORGIOU.
1T13 Pennsylvania avenue north
west.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
FrightfuIness in Extreme Form

Prof. Oswald Flamm, in an ar
ticle in a Berlin publication, advo-
Gates the destruction of neutral
crews when neutral vessels are sub
marined. The professors of Ger
many have We'd with the clergy in
sanctioning murder and piracy, but
this professor happens to be a privy
councillor as well. He gives as a
reason for the course advised this:
II neutrals were destroyed so
that they disappeared without
leaving a trace, terror would soon
keep seamen and travellers away
from the danger zones and thus
save many lives.
The motive of saving human life
must be peculiarly appealing to his
fellow-Germans. The distressing
thing is that Germany learns moth
ing through the failure of frightful-
ness. The presumption is that citi-
zens of neutral nations are all cow
ards and dare not risk their lives if
the danger be made too obvious. The
psychological effect upon the nation
whose citizens are thus foully mur-
dered is lost sight of. America is. no
longer neutral, and really seems to
have Jared better since we Joined the
belligerents. But if Germany wants
TO see a great nation aroused as one
man, let her shell the boats and
murder the crews of our merchant
vessels and see what will happen on
this side Of the water.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16

To the Editor Of THE TIMES;
A very grave crisis Is upon US In
the United States in regard to the
food situation. The people are suf-
fering, II some are not actually
starving-not so badly as soms OF
the other nations. but badly enough
to call for heroic measures. We al
ready have the benefit OF the expert
ence OF our European allies. It would
be worse than criminal II we did not
profit by their experience. The food
SPECTATORS and gamblers are making
millions and the consumer pays the
bill. Flour in Minneapolis at SIT.1O
per barrel, 100 per cent Increase in
a few months. The most important
action that Congress can now take
is to pass a law Immediately for
Government control of all foodstuffs.
There is an utmost necessity for such
a law, for the absolute control Of
food, fuel, and other basic commodi-
ties.
Secretary OF Agriculture Houston
occupies a most important position
in the Council of National Defense.
The Secretary has recommended not
only the fixing OF minimum prices
on farm staples, but also that the
Government be given power to go
into the markets and buy and sell
products. and to license and regu-
late storage concerns and packing
houses. In other words. he wants
Government control OF retail prices
of necessaries. That this should
come about Is being forcibly demon
strated daily. Drastic measures must
be adopted, not only toward the
American consumer but also to sup
plying food to our allies.
The purchasing power OF our dol
lar Is less than so cents, compared
to its value OF 100 cents before the
war. Sugar has increased 130 per
800 per cent, beans 175 per cent, corn
meal 100 per cent, and meats and
canned goods have kept step with
the general advance.
The depreciation OF the peoples
dollar has taken place in peace times
so far as this country is concerned;
now that this country is at war
prices are sure to go much higher.
The time has arrived to cut off all
extra costs due to speculation, faulty
delivery. and the middlemen. En-
gaging in the retail grocery business
may not be a desirable function of
the National Government ordinarily.
but il is a necessary and legitimate
wartime policy. It is a natural step
in the evolution OF democracy-just
as constitutional representative gov
ernment has been a step upward from
mob rule.
Government or municipal markets
Is the only common agency that can
serve the people best, serve the pro
ducer as we'll as the consumer. and
cut out the exorbitant prices OF the
speculator and middlemen.
j. j. DORE.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
LocAL rEMPFRATuREs-
Amusements Today.

Belasoo-'-.O.OOo Leagues Under the Sea.
2:i5 and So D. m
New National "Intolerancs," D. m. and 8
p. m
Polf's-New PoHJPIayers In The New Hen
rietta." 2:l5 and S;is D. m
3. T. Keith's-Vaudeville. and SIS D. m
Gayety-Buriesque, 2-i5 and SIS D. m
II p m
strand-Ph0toplays. n a m to II D. m
Garden-Photoplays. II a m. to II N.
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Tomorrow.
Graduating exercises, class Of 1917. Garnel
Memorial Hospital. Trimming schools r.

Graduating exercises class Of 1911. Garheld
Memorial Hospital. Trimming schools for
Nurses. p. m.
Illustrated lecture "One Century OF Modern
Arts in Belgium" by Prof Victor Horta
auditorium United States National Museum
and reception to American FEDERATION OF
Arts. SIS p. m.
Military drill Of Young Mems Hebrew Asso-
citation. Convention Hall T:70 D. m.
Dance by the A. and p. Managers Associa-
tion. Old Masonic Temple. Ninth and =
streets northwest. p. m.
Meeting Of COMMITTEES Of District Of Colura-
bia A A. A Club and theater -managers
Riggs building.
BoN party and social evening. Ahaves Zion
Society. leo5 sixth street northwest o. m
Masonic-Naval Lodge. No A. Hiram Lodge
No. 10. Lafayette, No. l9. and William r
singleton, No. %; Adoniram Council. No .
Royal and Select Masters: Ascension Day
services. Christ Church, Thtrty-frst and b
streets. Georgetown. kni shts Tsmplar COM
ntauc cries; Robert de Bruce Council
Knights kodash. Scottish Rite: Esther
Chapter. No. 8. Order OF the Eastern star
Odd Fellows-Columhia Lodge. No. 10. and
Phoenix, No. y; Columbian Encampmsnt,
No. 10
Rsbekahs-Friendship Loige. No s.
knights o. Pythias-F'ra nxlin Isodge No
Woodmen ot the World-Oak Canfp Ninth
and + streets northwest
NationAl UniOn-NAtioRAl, No. ~,
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
A Communication From Archy

n
to continue the story
of mehitable the cat who
has come back on the
job at her former
salary not being able to
keep out of print archy
sne says to n when l
walked into that
barroom / was hungry and
mewing with despair
there were two men sitting
at the Iable and
looking sad / rubbed
against the legs OF one
of them but he never moved
then i jumped up on
the table and stood
between them they both stared
hard at me and
then they stared at each
other but neither one
touched me or said anything
in front of one of
them was a glass full
OF some liquid with
foam on the top of it 1
thought il was milk
and began to drink from the
glass little did /
know archy as I Tapped
IL up that il was beer the
men shrank back from me and
began to tremble and shake
and look at me
finally one of them said to
the other know what you
think bill what do
think Jeff said the
other you think bill that
{ have the Is said the
first one you think
think / see a cat drinking
out of that beer glass but
do not think L
see a cat at all that Is all
in your imagination it
is you yourself that
have the d Is no said the
other one I don't think
you think you see
cat / was not thinking
about cats at all
do not know why you mention
cats for there are no
cats here just then
salvation army lassie came
in and said you
wicked men teachlnB lhah POO4
little innocent cat to
drink beer what cat
said one of the men she
thinks she sees cat
said the other and
laughed and laughed
Just then a mouse ran
across the floor and '
chased il and the salvation
lassie jumped on
chair and screamed jeff
said bill suppose now you
think i think / saw
mouse | wish bill you
would change the
subject fHom animals said
Jeff there is nothing
to be tgRfned by talking
of aninaeis mehitabels
life story will be
continued in an early number
archS
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
Tn. Hired Man Is Usually Right.

Extract from a letter: There was
some debate at lunch as to whether
many OF our countrymen are guided in
their conduct by clear opinions as to
the balance of power, mare cldttsHBl,
the Balkans. the east shore OF the
Adriatic. the comparative Importance
Of Morocco and Mesopatamia. the
hegemony OF Europe, the spheres of
influence in China, and the old rules
as to effective blockade. Let us ask
Smith" said ], whether he knows
what we are fighting about" Smith
Is an American hired man OF English
descent. His father fought in the
civil war. Smith is ignorant and su-
perstitious and is regarded as only 90
per cent intelligent, as compared with
orr Connecticut Italians. So We went
out to the ten-acre lot where Smith
is pIowing and asked him what he
believes to be the cause OF our being
at war. and he said:
"'Them d kingsr"
The Washington times., 1917-05-16
TOdays Calendar
WEATHER FoREcAST.

For the District OF Columbia. Mary
land, and Virginia, fair. moderate to-
night and Thursday: gentle to mod
crate winds. becoming southerly.
Light rains continued in the north
Pacific States and there were also
light rains and SHOWS in Idaho and
the extreme western portions OF Mon
tana and Wyoming. Elsewhere
throughout the country the weather
was fair. except In southern Kansas
and Oklahoma where there were local
showers.
Pressure continues moderately high
In the South. with temperatures stilI
rather low for the season, but else
where east OF the Rocky Mountains
pressure has fallen considerably. with
a general rise in temperature over the
interior districts. over upper Michi-
gan the abnormalIy high morning tenn
peratures are due to the smoky atmos-
phere.
The weather will be fair tonight
and Thursday east OF the Mississippi
river. with higher temperatures, eN-
eept in the northern upper Lake
region.
The winds along the New England
coast win be moderate northwest, be
coming variable: on the middle At
lantic coast moderate westerly. be-
coming variable; on the south Allan
tic coast gentle to moderate norther-
ly; on the east Gulf coast gentle TO
moderate north and northeast
Steamers departing today for Eu-
ropean ports will have moderate west
to northwest winds. becoming var
liable. with fair weather to the Grand
Banks
HIGH TIDES. LOW TIDES.
5;t5 a. m: height 81 ias9 a. m: height Of
$40 D. m; height "a 1876 p. m; height 01
SUN AND NOON TABLES.
sun rose t:s4 a. m. Moon rises i.57 D. n.
Sun sets 7si4 p "a. Moon sets 2sts a. u.
Light automobile lamps at 7.A p. m
WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Observations At United States Weather Bu-
reau stations. taken at A. m to-day. seventy
dfth meridian time: