davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH

To the Editor Of the EUeHiHg Ledger:
Sir-It seems 10 me that a question has
been raised where none exists The
EVENING LEDGER is certainly to be com
mended for the policy followed with re-
gard to the latest murder-suicide sensa-
tion. The big point, as / want 10 show
later, is that you have now gone too far
not to go further
But what a terrible indictment OF all
newspaperdom Is your statement that the
course you have taken Is "a somewhat novel
method of handling such a situation? In
your tentative employment OF this novel
method you have, indeed, gone a short
distance But you have much further 10
90 and you win never be able TO make out
a case by comparing yourself with your
estimable compeers.
Tales OF divorce. suicide murder and
lynching lead 70 the spread Of the dis
eases they describe Not the least depress-
lng feature OF the situation Is that the ON.
nipotent instrumert Is Of publicity scatter
this morbidity broadcast amid applause
rather than protest But Il Is IN the pso-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
ABOLISH THE SUBSIDY

! THE EVENING LEDaER's inquiry into
= port conditions did not proceed very
far before 1t was apparent that the excep.
tional subsidy accorded New York was
detrimental to the interests OF Pnila-
dephia. That there is such a subsidy is
conceded by the New York World, which
quotes, with approval, the testimony Of
former Dock Commissioner Of New
York to the effect that the lghtoragc
system is "a form Of Federal subsidy for
tho handicapplng OF New Jersey for tho
benefit Of New York"
1t is not more a handicap of New Jer
sey than it is a handicap of Pennsylvania.
The terrific cost of handling freight
through New York is concealed by this
free lEhterage system. It means, in
fact, that this cost is automatically trans
ferred to Jersey cities, to Philadelphia
and to other competing ports. This vast
the Federal Government, under a theory
which has long since been exploded.
Philadelphia, in fact, has been and is,
in situation analogous to that occu-
pied by competitors Of the Standard oil
Company during the period when tho
former was receiving rebates not only on
its own shipments but also on the ship
ments of it's rivals. Philadelphia pays a
tax for the maintenance Of tho shipping
business of New York and that tax has
amounted in the last few years to millions
of dollars.
We believe that this condition Of affairs
should not continue. 1t will not continue
IL Philadelphia is energetic in the pres.
entation of its case before the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

because his students couldn't pass his
examinations. These examinations are
usually a remarkably efficient method of
giving university degrees to the wrong
students. A certain type OF mind Is no.
toriously shrewd at "cramming" to pass
given test. Examinations during the
four years Of college could be abolished
with profit and conducted only upon the
request OF former students whenever they
choose to return to qualify for degrees.
one year or ten years after graduation
It is not clear why some students get
fun credit for what they are sure to
forget, while others not up to the tricks
Of the exam trade, get no credit for
acquiring habits OF study which do not
bear fruit till they have left the class
room routine
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
PITY For THE VICTIM

To the Editor Of the EUening Ledger:
Sir--Let me first as a daily reader laud
the EVENING LEpGER for the endeavor to
keep away from yellow journalism But
why after doing the correct thing in keep
ing this affair off the front page. do YOU
on the editorial page. call the victim a dis
reputable woman?
Don't you think Il would have been n
charitable act even though this statement
he the truth to have omitted that phrase E?
Would you care to prove your statement? =?
DO YOU not know there are probably more
than a million people in the city of Phila-
delphia who do not know anything of the
character of this unfortunate girl and who.
after reading the version of the EVENING
LEDGER, will assume an opinion such as
you have advanced?
Did you forget that this girl had father
and mother who are just as respectable as
these men Of wealth or standing you mem
tion herein?
It. therefore still remains a fact that
the world over IN all cases the woman gets
the short end. Is II fair TO our wives and
mothers? Is this fair to this girls mother
who Is responsible for her birth? II is not
The writer does not float about on a pair
OF silver wings, but believes In this:
Be merciful be just bs fair
10 every woman everywhere,
Her faults are many.
Nobody5 TO blame.
And as an act OF charity It would be a
nice thing IL the EVENING LEDGER would
print in a prominent place letter Of con-
dolence TO the parents Of Grace Roberts
W. T. CAMPBELL.
Philadelphia, JanuPry 10,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
CALLS THE.CASE A SERMON

TO INC EditOf OF me EueNih1 LCdGCE
Sr-Pcrmit one OF your many readers to
state most emphatically that you are wrong
a case Of this sort-yes, and others Of a
like charactcr-shoud he given the widest
publicity despite tho sorddncss Of It's de-
tails. Why? Because Of the great i'm
preston il may make upon those who ycarn
for the good times" to be had in a large
city, In other words, because of the great
possibilities Of such wide publicity to act
as n prOphyaCtic for the bellies" of the
smaller communities throughout the state
Don't hesitate TO print it, It is needed
and needed badly, II must come straight
from the shoulder. Show our sons and
daughters. rich and poor alike, what II
means to be transEressor. Get the his
tory OF these cases Show up some Of
these bar hops, parasitic manicurists
shops. cafe and white-light hanEcrs-On
Give some concrete examples. with all their
sordId details DO not he mere news vend-
crs. If you can print the story of raids in
the Tcnderloin and give names etc, II you
can print detailed testimony before Grand
Jury concerning brothcs and other Np-
called "sordid' stuff. M without asking
advice from your readers, why nul this
which is even Of greater value?
The time for newspapers being mere news
venders is long past. i0u are. ~ should be
opnion-moders. the g!rtr mans cncyclo-
peda, his uuiyCr-ty-. his dictionary. his
church, his minister u. rot hide things
from us In these firr'e. with 90 much
money about, we need soru"thiEg TO give
us a jolt II Is not sIrd.a rews. 1t rather
would be read as sc'Won, read by our
youths Of the land, read and reread in the
hope that II will sink in, strike home, be
retained, diEested, Thought over. and thus
nstill in them, If not the fear of God. then
the fear of the devil.
TbffaaaIpnfa
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
CHARGE OF THE PORK BRIGADE

The pork pirates are busy again at
Washington It matters nothing to them
that Uncle Sam needs money now and will
need more later. What is the national in
terest compared to n village interest or a
personal interest? So they propose to
raid the public treasury for the following
public buildings:
A $4,000 postofIlce at Waynesboro, Ga,
postal receipts s7O22.26 last year. This
building would cost $4,000 annually to
maintain. while the present postoftice costs
only 500 year rent,
A $4,000 postOfiice at Mount Olive, n.
c., population about 1000 and postal re-
coipts S5G29 Building would cost $4,000 to
maintain; present rent s42O.
A $4,000 posto;iice at Attala. Ala, pop
ulation 25l3. postal receipts si6lO.2l pres
ent rental $iG0 as against prospective main
tenanCe charge of $4,000.
"A $4,000 postofice for Hazard Ky,
population less than 500 in 1910 Postal
receipts Sf477; present rental $3.50
Other little towns are destined to be-
come the scenes of equal crimes against
the public purse IL the public buildings
measure passes as framed. The cases
above are merely samples OF n long list
IN which minor communities. located chiefly
in the South, acquire expensive quarters
FOR their postal services-Grand Rapids
Press.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
OBJECTS mo- THE VILE sTuFF

To the Editor OF the EUeniHO Ledger,
Sir-Just a line to thank you for the
privilege of adding my feeble Endorsement
OF your splendid stand against printing all
the vile stun about that Poplar street affair
sykes says today yet some folks think
| control it," II seems TO me that, i'm this
instance alone, you have presented mighty
convincing evidence that the press can and
does control the news. though the press
may not make IL.
/ have the hope that at a not-too-far-
distant day the EVENING LEDGER and the
press at large viii confne their handling
OF such moral corrupting news 90 10 a
respectable space in the obituary columns.
HARRY DUNCAN MARCH.
philadelphia, January 6.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
WHAT DO YOU
THINK ABOUT IT?"
More Expressions of Readers
Opinions on Methods of Pre-
senting Sensational News

Thinb About f1" the EUenin1 ledger
last FRIDAY. referring to the proper method
Of handling a sensational murder storv.
said! "ds our readers are also. IN n
sense. editors OF the EucHinO Ledger. per-
bnps tre can net a consensus Of editorial
opinion from them. We really tcdnt to
kno,r iChat the man IN the street thinks
about a." Yesterday trc printed a telr
OF the letters rcccircd More are printed
toddN Many must rcmd!n imprinted for
lack NJ space. OF the letters rcccivcd. the
number approving the course ot the
Eucntug Lcigcy Is large, the number dis.
approving Is rcrV, rcrV small
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
COMEDY WINE, A HOME TouCH

Reading to wife is very unsatisfactory,
even II she does not go to sleep. You be-
gin: "OnCe upon n midnight drearv-"
Wait just second" she says. until I
close that window, | don't want the wind
coming in on my back" Then you begin
over; 'Once upon midnight dreary while
l pondered, weak and weary" she SAYS.
Let me shut the back door; that slamming
makes me so nervous-now, 90 ahead"
You continue: over many n uuaint and
curious Sonny" she says, you be
taking Off your clothes" volume of for.
gotten lore" She says: Now put your
things where you can find them in the
morning-now, what do you want to act
that way for? l heard every word / lust
'hought sonny mad as well be undressing"
Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

UNHosE Congressman who are de
i nouncing American manufacturers be-
cause British munition makers underbid
them on a contract for shells for the
Navy Department are unduly excited.
The British bids were made on condition
that delivery was not TO be made until
after the close Of the war. When the
war ends their home business will prac-
tieany disappear. They have the plant
equipped TO make shells. 1t will have
10 be dismantled and turned to other
ends. II they can get a contract for
shells from America to tide them over
the period OF readjustment they can az
ford 10 do the work for cost or for a
very small profit. These conditions ex-
plain the low bid and they do not dis
credit the patriotism or the efficiency OF
American manufacturers. Neither are
they arguments for Government manu-
faefure OF munitions.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
MULTUM IN PARYo

WTE COMMEND to the attention OF
w Woodrow Wilson, Claude Kitchln, f.
NJ. Simmons and the other Democratic
leaders the following pregnant sentences
from the annual statement on business
conditions by f. NJ, Gary, chairman of
the United States Steel Corporation:
Our country should he placed and
kept on a par with all other countries.
I refer 10 the tariff question. / have
said before. and l now repeat, this
question should not be considered or
treated as a political or partisan one
The greatest good to the greatest num-
ber should In this, as in all public
questions. be the sole inquiry and de-
termination. Facts should be ascer-
tained and honest, sensible, practical
results secured, Prohibitive tariff rates
so called, or schedules that are so hign
as TO permit a producer to oppress the
consumer, should not be permitted but
tarif rates on luXuries we do not pro-
duee in this country should be reason
ably high, so as TO produce revenues
for the Government and tarin rates
on the things coming from foreign
countries similar to those We produce
whether in the forest OF in the fields
IN the mines or in the manufactures,
should be sufficiently high to protect
our producers, including the wage
earners, against cheap foreign labor
and its results, so as to put our coun-
try and It's people on a fair and even
basis with ali other Countries and peo-
pies. Possibly this could be secured 10
a certain extent by antl-dumplng pro-
visions or by reciprocity conditions. At
any rate. Il Is not reasonable or fair to
our people 70 place them in a position
OF disadvantage. Nearly all foreign
countries have tarln provisions Ia their
laws which prevent our producers from
selling there. and we should have like
security.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
A MYTH BECOMES A REALITY

INCREDIBLE while he lived, Buffalo
L BiB,1 jhaaz become reality. Then he
was only modern Snowman, and mortal.
Now he is once more a mighty hunter
and Indian slayer, and immortal We
could believe only in the glass balls, for
we saw him break them, and we doubled
the wild West. Now 1t is the glass balls
that we doubt.
lie had tho unspcakable misfortune to
outlive a whole era, one Of the best in
history other men outlived the virgin
forest and the trails and gallant com
rades. But Buffalo BIZ outlived him.
self
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
The Title of Marshal

E. P.-The title Of marshal recently
given TO General Joffre, is the highest mill
tarv rank bestowed on French officers.
Originally it was on old German title, signi-
fying master of the horse; the word
mare" once meant stallion" as well. A
famous royal "studyaTd' intrusted to a
Swabian marshal was located in Stuttgart.
Master of the horse" was subsequently
translated into Low Latin, and became
count Of the stable" (Comes stabulD. In
feudaI France the chief of the royal house
hold was known as Comes Stabuli, or Con-
stable of France. Marechal and Connetable
are veritable German concepts. Altogether,
many a French institution, both civil and
military, has a thoroughly Teutonc back
ground, in spite OF its apparently Latin
gloss and Gallic culture
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
UNQUALIFIED CONTAMINATION

To ne Editor OF the Ercnug Lcdger
Sr-l commend most heartily the stand
the EVENING LEDGER has taken in refusing
to exploit scandals on the front page. Your
policy ought to receive the hearty and un-
qualified COmmPndation of all Phiadcl-
phans who want clean papers in their
homes, and who for the sake Of the morals
Of the rising generation, viii refuse to
allow dirty sheets to lie upon their library
tables. JOSEPH w COCHRAN,
Secretary Of the Board of Education Of
the Presbyterian Church.
Philadelphia January 10.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
RIGHT, ANYWAY

10 ne EdIIoT OF me ET6NfNg Led0or'
Sir-I have been constant reader Of
your valued paper almost from its in
ception and have found many things In II
both 10 compliment and criticize but can
safely say that you are on the right track
in regard to your views concerning the
recent murder, no matter whether your OBJ
iect be to further the interests of your
paper mainly, as some of your many read
ers seem TO want to make themselves be-
Iieve, or solely for the good of mankind 7
am willing To give you the benefit of the
doubt HAROLD NJ. SLEE,
Glenside, January 10,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Penn is letting enough fresh air
into its trustee system to drive out the
memory OF the Nearing case. Alumni
should elect trustees, not occasionally, but
always. If a university cannot trust
itself in the hands OF its product it would
not be safe in any hands. A university
is its alumnI-they are its history and
its traditions, and in following the course
II pointed they keep it pointed on its
course.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Indiana VETS" have considerable
nerve. They are saying that because they
elected Mr.. Marshall Governor some years
ago he ought 70 have been in the Senate
when the vote in that body was a tie
so that he could have cast a deciding
wet" vote. The Vice President, now
out in Arizona, where 1t is so dry they
have 10 irrlgate, is doubtless wondering
why the vets" didn't carry Indiana for
him in November If they still love him so
much
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
HAVE DONE A LoT OF GOOD

TO the Editor Of the Evening Ledger;
Sir-I was much interested IN your edl-
torial What DO You Think About It?' in
Fridays paper. II not In stronger way,
think as you think about II. The prom
inence Of such things given by almost all
newspapers Is perfectly disgusting TO one
and 10 all other decent people, i think you
nave done a lot OF good, ] am very sure
many persons who may not write you think
"a / 40. RICHARD G. PARK
Cl0vsriy Farm. West Chester. January 10.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
secretarY Redneld. whn

Secretary Redheld, who says that
waste is "one of our great Industrial
Weaknesses" might also have said that
II is one Of our great governmental fail.
ings. Why does he not get the Public
Buildings Committee of the House to-
gether and talk to its members about the
folly of giving $40, 900 postofice buildings
20 3OOO,people towns?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
OUIZ

/. Describe tho Dnnshment, called "sprend-
enElinE" in artillery regiments?
9. What IL the "budget system" which re-
formers desire established in this city?
3. Does a British Government tax so into Of
feet before or after the bill imposing II Is
passed and signed:
). Who is GOlitEinr?
b. What II tho Webb-Ecnyon act?
G. Who were the PIantnEcnets"
:. Il there "raEtimc'' In any classical music"
3. who said I'VE have met the enemy and they
are ours"
0. or what nation Is the thistle tho emblem"
10. who were the Pillnr Saints?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

When a machine gun shooting 500
bullets a minute goes on wild rampage
in crowded city without fatalities, it
seems quite probable that the Japanese
nobleman who said few days ago that
It cost $4,000 TO kill a man in modern
warfare was not very wide of the mark.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
Good Wine

A. l.. k.-Three foreign proverbs that
approximate the meaning Of the American
saying, Good wine needs no bush" are
as follows: Gutter Weine verkauft sich
selbst" German for GOOD wine sells
ITSELF; "GOede waar prijst zichzelben %
Dutch for Good ware sells itself" and
Chose qui plat est demivendu" French
for "A thing that pleases Is half sold 3"
There are many proverbs in foreign Ian
guaEes that correspond with the foregoing.
but those given approach the American
pFoyerb more closely.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Harrisburg is entertaining the no.
tion that the one prayer delivered in each
branch of the Legislature at its opening
session, which cost the State S294, was
too expensive. The State can be exon.
Grated from extravaganza Prayer was
its last resort.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
to protest. as l believe they Will short

pie to protest, as l believe they VIII short
~, and with telling effect.
In this day, when We are demanding
pure and wholesome food, healthful and
beautiful surroundings, improved schools
and more Of them, fair treatment for Of
tenders, the abolition of tho saloon and
many other advantages that have become
necessities of modern thought, we cannot
tolerate the exploitation Of the depraved
and morbid in our newspapers.
A. j. r. SCHUAtAKER.
Philadelphia, January 10,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
CoMMoN.sENsE POLICY

To the Editor Of the Evening Ledger:
sir-I am very glad 10 know Of your
common-sense policy OF handling such
sickening affairs as the recent murder and
TO express my appreciation Of II. l cer-
talnly do commend you for the course you
are taking, and the feeling that telling you
so may be in the nature of an encourage
ment is surely encouraging 10 me.
c. T. KEET
Philadelphia, January 10,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

1t may occur to the conquerors OF
Rumania that when the Confederacy was
beginning to starve. Lee was sweeping
through Maryland and southern Penn
Bylyania
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
First Granite Blocks

A. o, Y, JN-(a) The frst granite
blocks OF the present-day size laid in Phila-
deIphia came shortly after June l2, 1868,
when an ordinance was passed authorizing
their use. Big blocks, much larger than
those now used, were laid on Chestnut
street downtown in the forties. Those on
Parkside avenue were laid about the time
OF the Centennial. The records are rather
meager. 90 An ordinance was passed De-
cember 2l. 1881, prohibiting paving streets
with cobblestones,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

We notice that another Thaw case
Is furnishing sweet morsels to feed the
printing presses. Possibly the man is in
the employ of some astute circulation
manager.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Never mind! If Washington is dry,
II will not inconvenience many of the
Philadelphia Congressman. They rarely
visit the place, anyhow.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

THANKFUL.

To me Editor OF The EUeuing Ledger
Sir-Thank God there is one newspaper
in Philadelphia that does not rely on ex-
plotting crime and it's attendant disgusting
details TO make its columns interesting and
10 boost its circulation,
J. NJ. HUNT.
wildwood, n j., January TO-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
PhIIadeIphla, January %.
MORE WHoLEsoME READING

10 the Editor Of tho EUeHing Ledger:
Sir-More wholesome reading. less scan
daI and crime published in the newspapers
Is my view The EVENING LEDGER is right.
w, S. ALDRICH.
Audubon, n. j., January TO-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
The Northeast Corner
Rubaiyat Of a Commnter

Indeed, indeed, on every first Of Nav
| take down Stoves and nut tbS nj
away. Pe5
And then-and then came Spring .rs
like as not "no
'Twould be raw and clustering, snov.
day ''VWY
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Swiss cheese Is now manufactured
in America, but the fact that it's made
on the level instead OF on the mountains
has not affected the altitude of the price,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Crude Oil Prices Advanced.--Hend-
line.
But crude spokesman prices remain
unchanged.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

It's a safe bet that there will be no
leak from the Supreme Court in the
Adamson law decision.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

Peace advocates all over the world
are now working day and night-so are
the munition plants.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11

THERE must be some way 10 avoid a
i fepetition OF the Washington. Pa, atroc-
iiies A professor was hanged IN sffsy
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-11
FoRREST-Last 2Weeks As'i I az y
The Cohan Revue 1916

BROAD-Last 2 Weeks Ns,i Msa : s.
RS. FIS X Z
IN "HBsTwHTT y SUSAN