davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
A Potato Complaint
The Farmers Predicament as Costs
Go Up and Prices Down

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: According TO the present market price
for potatoes, it would appear that farmers
who depend on potatoes as a main crop have
been betrayed.
The nsstence of the Administration that
enormous crops be planted and the intma-
ton that the price would be guaranteed at
q figure sufficiently high to insure a fair
profit have had the effect of causing such
q huge crop to be planted that potatoes are a
Drug on the market at 1925 barrel to-day
and going down, having dropped 81 in two
days.
1t looks as though the experience of 1915
was going to be repeated, when there was
such a huge crop that the bulk of it sold for
90 cents a barrel, which, even to people who
do not know anything about farming, must
seem ridiculously low. In 1915 we lost
money 1916 put US on our feet again, for
although we did not get $40 barrel We did
get from 81 to SO, which was very fair
price last year.
This wear labor is scarce and high. Fert-
lzer is higher, and promises to be $50
or better next year. In fact, the fertilizer
companies want US to contract at S55 imme-
date delivery, and say that the price may
20 even higher. Potatoes are bringing s2.25
to-day. which about covers production, with
very small margin of profit Now, where
do you figure next years crop is coming
from? Certainly, we farmers don't intend
TO risk lot of money in planting something
there is no money in. We are as patriotic
as the next man, but we must live, so there
you
The wheat growers of the nation have
had their price guaranteed at a good figure,
and | can't see any reason why We potato
men, after all the lecturing and all the ad-
vice, should not be insured against loss
through the same method.
The farmers here going to plant one
quarter of the acreage for next year which
they have planted this year and put the re-
mander Of the ground in corn and wheat,
on the latter Of which the price is guaran-
teed.
With fertilizer at 1872 1--WE use a ton to the
acre. and seed and labor at the price they
were before the war, we could make good
money at $3.50, but when you consider fer
tilizcr at $50 ton we absolutely must re-
ceve dollar bushel, or quit and 90 into
some other line of farming. II the Admins
traton would guarantee that price we could
90 ahead and be assured Of a decent profit
this year, but since everything keeps going
up we would have to get si25 for the 1918
crop, or suffer loss on that.
WILLIAM MFARLAND.
Hazlet, N. j., Aug. %, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Failure Of Price Fixing in y. S.

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The most telling contribution that has
been made to the economic discussions of the
war is contained in Carl Snyder's article in
to-day's Tribune, entitled Failure of Price
Fixing Is Inevitable" A copy Of this article
should be put into the hands of every Con-
gresham and member of the government IN
Washington, including Mr.. Hoover.
One of the interesting matters to which Mr..
Snyder calls attention is the fact that there is
not government murmur at paying the cot
ton grower q cents for his cotton, while the
farmer is forbidden to get more than 81 for
his wheat Why is this? Is it on the basic
theory that we may be able to live without
clothes. but we cannot live without bread?
LAWRENCE GODKIN.
New York, Aug. 26, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
MIR. Shonts and His Public

1t is not much that our jostled, painting
public expects of Mr.. Shonts. The request
of the mate to his captain, "Only little
common politeness, and damned little of
that" about sums up the demand But
common politeness, treatment that is
really polite and not merely skin deep
courtesy, is something of which the In
terborough has endless mysteries to ex-
plore.
1t discovered few months ago that
there was such a word as courtesy in the
English language, and was evidently
much impressed by the fame and good will
that other railroads were winning IN
its name. But it apparently never real
lied for a moment that the essence of
courtesy was service, desire to please,
and that railroads, like the Pennsylvania,
which have converted courtesy into ire
mendously valuable asset have done so
by long, hard effort to serve the public.
Mr.. Shonts began quite at the other end
by posting up neatly printed arguments
pointing out what wonderful things his
company was doing, despite the careless
ness and inconsiderateness of the travel
ling public Of inward and spiritual grace
willing public saw no faintest hint, and
of superficial civility on the part Of en-
ployes there were beginning traces, per-
haps, but nothing surely to boast of.
Now it turns out in the coal episode
that the attitude of the public toward Mr..
Shonts's placards was entirely right. The
little sermons on the wonders of the Inter-
borough represented no reversal of Inter
borough policy, no realization of public
obligation, no new and enlightened treat
ment of its patrons. The road was, and
is, an efficient and economic private enter
prise. For so much we can we'll be ap-
nreciative and thankful. But there it
stops. Neither Mr.. Hedley nor Mr.. Shonts
seems to have achieved the slightest con-
ception of duty to the public. All the while
Mr.. Shonts was busy pinning courtesy
medals on his road he was permitting the
grossest inconsiderateness OF public con-
venience in the matter of coal reserves,
standing ready months on end to sacri-
fee public comfort and business to the
chance of saving little something on his
coal bill.
Mr.. Shonts should stop his window
dressing and take a few lessons in COM
mon obligation to the public.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28

apartment hotel usually represents
house or large scale apartment surren-
dered before the spectre of the servant
problem. The breaking point has been
reached in any number of families since
the war began. The comforts of ones own
kitchen and service and hallway and per-
haps dining room reached price in dis
comfort and dismay and insult and wasted
cons passed in employment agencies
which seemed not worth the sacrifice. The
small suite apartment usually means one
servant or none in place of two or three
or four The home is preserved intact so
far as privacy and individuality go. The
sacrifice is of extra rooms and some leis-
ure, for the small suite usually represents
the undertaking of some homework, at
any rate, by the housewife.
The apartment hotel is community living
on an expensive scale as the solution of the
servant problem. The small suite offers
light housekeeping as the solution. The
latter undoubtedly preserves more of the
old home spirit. Neither helps that large
class of home jewellers, the suburbanites,
in the slightest. Economic pressure is
hitting the home where it is most vulner-
able and most easily supplanted. In its
stronghold, the country, the home still
stumbles on it's way, with no real estate
man bold enough to raise his hand
against il.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Buddy

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: | have seen in the papers from time
TO time letters suggestive as to the name
bv which the American soldier should be
recognized abroad. The newspapers persist
in calling him Sammy" This name does not
seem to have the right punch in it. | know
a great many soldiers, some of whom have
seen considerable service, and | have noticed
that one soldier in addressing another al
WAYS refers to him as Buddy Frequently
have heard one soldier say TO another,
Buddy, give US a match" or "Give US the
'makin's,' Buddy"
What's the matter with calling the boys
by the name they all know-Buddy7
JAMES X. BYRNE.
New York, Aug. %, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Buy the Congo

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Belgium will find billion dollars
very convenient after the war for the res
toration of her shattered land. Why could
we not give her this sum for her Congo
Free State, in Africa? We could then offer
free farm homestead to each of our col
ored fellow citizens as an inducement to
emigrate We would thus secure several de-
srable ends at the same time-the resto-
ration OF Belgium, the solution of our trying
race problem and the giving Of the negro a
chance to build up a republic Of his own un-
der United States protectorate.
WILLIAM G. BELL.
Philadelphia, Aug. 90, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
That Fleet of Destroyers
Why 1t Will Have Difficulty in
Becoming the Greatest

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Being born and having lived for some
years a few miles from Portsmouth naval
dockyard England, naturally take an inter-
est in the British navy and the other navies
of the world. | must admit | was some
what amused at the recent hyperbole appear
ing in some of the leading daily papers of
this city relative to destroyers to be built
IN this country. Please do not think | am
deprecisting what the country is doing and
going to do for the Allies, but on reference
to various books in my possession | would
like to quote few figures which might be
of interest TO the numerous readers of your
excellent paper
According to the navy book, printed and
published by The London Times" in 1914
the British navy had in commission 223 de-
stroyers, plus 10 building; total of 23S. The
United States navy had, according to the
world 1917 Almanac on July /, 1916,
"a destroyers, giving the British navy
lead Of 1874. Since the war began with Ger
many, in 1914, no figures OF the additions
to the British navy have been given out,
but ! think | am right in assuming the
additions of this particular fighting craft
must be beyond all expectations. Suppos-
ing that the figures | have quoted are re-
liable. it will take some time and money
before the United States navy overtakes
that of Great Britain, or even Germany,
which, on July I, 1914, had 1874 in commits
sion.
Before closing | would like to refer to
another point. few weeks ago ! read
letter in another New York daily in which
the writer mentioned the peerless gunnery
of the United States feet. Again | have
figures before me. published by "The New
York Times" of the spring practice of the
battleship feet in 1915 and | give your
readers the results of the first one-half Goz-
on Ships
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Why Should Postage Stamps =
Scarccl

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Recently it has happened tns' -
wanted to buy postage stamps IN qu,'' ,,.
numbers; not thousands at one ume' o'' ..
where from one hundred to five hundred -, |.
a city like New York, with its great P' ii
of postofice sub-stations in drug ''0i'. .,.,,
department stores, one would think 'n'' I
a simple matter, but such is not inc oss
went 10 three sub-stations, and IN ,,,,s
was told that it was impossible 70 ,,sl
than one hundred stamps; that II :, ,,s
more il was necessary TO go TO one
main postoffices ,,N sr.
would be very glad if some one W. ..,..
Plain why it is not possible to BUY nv, lid
age stamps at sub-station Of 'n' r.
States postoftce.
New York, Aug. %, 1871
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
The Burden of the Doc
With So Many Evils in the W.,
Why Imagine This One,
70 the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The letter of W. G. Gren.h.
Burden Of the Dog" is both ridieul.,
accurate and inhumsn. To begin v,u
are not cursed with hydrophobi. al
the country. Not single case b,, W
come under my personal observatio, ~
have lived North, South. East and VI
have always taken a keen interes. !, !
and the Humane Society, and hav. l. :"
dog owner all my lie.
As a member Of an English ..,
strikes me as particularly funny TIA, ~
Grenshaw should instance Gre,. Br,...~
putting this country TO shams in n. 49,.
of sheep raising and call on Amer;.,.
destroy all dogs, that We may coma,
lands showing! 1t is to Taught NJ
in the world is there 70 be found 80.
genuine, intense and general love Of A..
exists throughout the British Isles .uo,. =
classes of people. Literally everyboI, !, y
one, usually, in fact, three or four n,
speak of all the great hunting pack,
Yet Mr.. Grenshaw admits these do, Ia,
dog owning people have succeeded in -
in their small islands 10000, 900 sh.., ~
we raise only 100000 in all our y,u ,.% ~"
tory. There is apparently a link los, !, .' ~
Grenshaw's chain of thought.
The trouble in this country has n,v., l..
the number of dogs kept, but failur, !, :.
force the existing dog laws.
No man who is dog lover can a.. -.
thing but pity for man who seek, IA 49,
ir dollars and cents that immen,. ann ,. ~
of lo"e, devotion and comfort tia, -"
dumb friends of ours bring into our ly.,
Mr.. Grenshaw, if he is really in,.,...,
in saving this country from financial I,s
might, ! may suggest, turn his stt.nt,.
vast expenditures that bring no r.,urr =.
misery and broken lives-to drink n,oh."
to drug and patent medicine probes.
dance hall evils, and so on sd insni,n, y
might even include in his investigates, ~ ~
German nation. There are so man, ...'.
evils it seems strange that any s.n,,sl. Nv"
should just now go out Of his vsy 70 Ir....
one. J. WOoDWIrn
New York, Aug. "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Dress a War Factor
,From The Dry Goods Economist

,From The Dry Goods KconomisD
We cannot win the war by wearing Grape.
Instead of spreading depression, creating dis
couraeement. it is our duty-it should be our
prvilege-to maintain high heart, to vital
ize tn. fighting spirit, to do all that lies in
our power to keep our country in trim for
the further efforts, the further trials that II
must face before final victory shall perch on
its banners and on those of its allies. Ana
we feel very sure that every one OF our
heroes who shall fall in the sacred cause oil
freedom would infinitely prefer that he we're
honored not by the conventional change IN
parb. but only in the inner sanctuary OF the
heart and of the memory.
The present shortage of fabrics is equalled
only by the shortage of raw materials enter
ing into the manufacture Of textiles. TINS
shortage must necessarily increase as the
war continues. The adoption OF mourning
by large number Of our people would entai!
the discarding Of great quantities Of clothing
which otherwise might have been worn for
considerable period. True, some of these
cast-ofs might be given to the poor or to
charitable organizations. But the probability
is that the greater proportion OF them would
be put away IN some cIosel, 10 oeeoHhe ho'"
eaten and forgotten. The result of the new
purchases would be to increase the already
serious shortage Of material and to further
raise the prices Of clothing, which, as it is,
promise to soar still higher in the near
future.
Altogether, the arguments in favor of the
discardinr Of mourning during the continu-
ance of the war appear to US to be unanswer-
able except in the Affirmative. We by no
means urge the indiscrminate wearing Of
bright or snowy colors. Neutral or soft
shades would naturally be more appropriate.
Some suitable device also might be worn
upon the sleeve. But for "the customary
suits Of solemn black" there should be no
place under war conditions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
Who Counsel. Peacep"
From Poem By Robert southey)

q
Who counsels peace at this momentous hour
When God hath given deliversnce to the
opprest
And to the injured power!
Who counsels peace, when vengeance like
food
Rolls on, no longer now to be represt:-
When innocent blood
From the four corners Of the world cries out
For justice upon one accursed head.
Woe. woe to all. both woe and endless shame
II this heroic land,
False to her feelings and unspotted fame,
Holds out the olive 10 the Tyrsnts hand.
Down with the Tyrsnt: with the Murderer
down.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
No Silly Nickname

To the Editor of The Tribune. .,lt
Sir: People are trying to seee' .,,,
able nickname for the soldiers a"N iii.
to say that it will be impossible i0r al.
name to be forced upon them ~
diers will get nieknome before ~ e
is over and no one will ever know "n' -.
originated Such silly nicsnames .oldisr
suggest will never stick. be'ns I'd ess
myself. just call us "roughneeks snrrsA
out such silly nicknames as some ,oopE
especially "ssmmies." R. L, W. H.s,
IN. C. A., U. S. Reservation. r'
ilton, Brooklyn, Aug. 26. 1871.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28

Which gives percentage Of SIS hits per
ship. In all fairness one can hardly call
this peerless when the British navy, as
far back as 1906 had a percentage of hits
made 10 rounds fired Of 7l.l2. | know Com
parsons are odious," but little light at
times on these subjects gives one :o1i OK
reflection. WYKEHAMIST.
New York, Aug 25, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28

You ear purchase merchandise advertised IN Inh
TRIBUNE With absolute sAety-for Dissatisfaction rsus
In any case TIE TRIBUNE guarantees 70 pay your money
b.cl upon request No red tape No clubbing we make
rood promptly " the advertiser dos not;
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28

Filtered a, IN. Pos,orce a, New York As Second Class
Mall Matter
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28

SUBSCRIPTION RATEs-By Mail. Postage Paid out
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-21

New York, Dec. 21.-Another week
of disappointment has passed over the
financial district. Growing pessimism is
a conspicuous fact, as is the consequent
lack of buyers. That there is very
considerable buying power in existence
despite the tremendous absorption of
money by the government, is conceded;
but it is easily offset by the persistent
outpouring OF stocks. Public opinion,
for the time being at least, has given up
hope of AN early ending of the war.
This explains the depression in part.
Reports that the Germans are preparing
for another big drive at the western
front added to the prevailing discourag-
ment; although the belief in hopeful
circles was that the enemy was engag-
ed in one of the final desperate efforts
to drive the allies back before Amer
ican armies arrive in France.
AT the moment the war is growing
in intensity rather than diminishing.
Germany's activities are certainly in
creasing, presumably with view of
making a supreme effort. Britain IS
drive against Cambria has been check
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-21
Wall Street Despondent
OUer Lock of Buying

ed. Italy is actively resisting a tre-
mendous attack. Russia is in the throes
Of civil strife. Spain and Portugal are
both endangered by the fires raging
against them, while all the neutral coun-
tries are more or less in danger of be-
ing drawn into the conflagration. In
the United States the war clouds are
growing thicker and thicker. The storm
is here, though not yet raging in full
force. As our young men depart in in
creasing numbers for cover there, we
grow more and more serious; and our
appreciation of the great cause, and
their supreme sacrifice, becomes deep
er and stronger. When the casualty lists
come back, we will feel more keenly
the price required to make this better
and freer world, if not for ourselves,
for tho-e who come after. No wonder
we become solemn, serious and disap-
pointed. But there should be no yield
ing to this discouragment, and no
gloom. Victory is certain, provided we
"carry on" our part with unflinching
hope and courage.
With the opening of congress the
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-21

roiIrood ouastion bos haoomo q nrohIom
,a11..,.- - -4 -l'', - " - ~
lonlanulng prompt solutioh' AV tnlS
writing, the outlook is for nationwide
government control through present ex-
ecutives and some form Of government
finono;o1 ia Cnoh !, hol;e,,od - bo
= ri"'ncial 'lu, 'uon 10 o'iio'ou 70 Do
EreSldent wilson preference; al
thougn not q rev impartial Judges pc
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-21

lock. A new group Of stories from In
dia for the children.
Other titles; "Furtber foolishness
Leacoek; "Our Naupski neighbors, F"
Miniter.
The principal addition to the library
this week, however, is a group Of pam.
pblets on the use Of foods. Some are
from the department Of agriculture,
some from 0. A. G. They are prepared
for circulation to those who may not
have copies If every housewife will
carefully read, study and put into ey-
eryday use at once the suggestions to
be found in such material she will me-
only be helping to reduce the high cost
of living for her family, but she viii
be rendering a distinct patriotic SER
vice to her country at this time The
following titles are included:
How to select foods. =
Food value Of corn and corn prod
ucts."
"Food for young children"
"Ten lessons on food conservation F"
by L. S. food administration.
Meats; composition and cooking.
" Preparation of vegetables for the
table.
"The use Of milk as food.
Economical use Of meat in the
home"
Mutton and its value in the diet. I"
Meat substitutes.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-21
4 X as i; X i x ! 4: X x i; x 4
X $
x OPEN FORUM 4
x \
X X X X ~: X X x x X X x 4:
That e.ooo salary offer.

That 1900 Salary offer.
To the Editor: You deserve the
thanks Of an abused citizenship for
your exposure of the ruse and concocted
scheme Of the state school trust to
further pirate upon the public.
And yet we must not forget the dis
| ltinguished services of President Kerr
as politician in furtheranee of graft.
Only last winter bill was introduced
into the legislature to reduce President
Kerr IS $1,000 salary. Acting Sen
ator Hawley actively opposed it
and it was sidetraeked. When l ex-
posed the fact that Hawley was not a.
legal member of the legislature and
was ineligible TO become a member at
the 1914 state election, chaperoned by
President Kerr ($7,0O0) Hawley slyly
resigned the office and salary that had
disqualified him at the election. Then
at adjournment of the legislature Pres
ident Kerr ($7,000) assembled at Port
land five or six regents and reelected
Hawley to the salary that had dis
qualified him. This act of $1,000 Pres
ident Kerr was an admission that
/ Hawley was not a member. Now there
Is talk of an extra session of the legis-
lature and in which event this $1,000
Kerr will of course direct Hawley to
again quietly resign and loose a
month s salary and then he will again
assemble these five or six pliable
regents and restore the salary.
! And yet Chapman in his Oregon
" T.
Of politics. Don't that just kill you9
Don Z the voters of the state know
that ''the state school trust goes out
into the COW counties and looks over
and selects candidates for the legisla'
ture, circulates their petitions and
conducts and finances their campaign
for election and then when elected the
school trust has only to ask and to
direct their servants.
And now the state normal is coming
forward and asking an extension sys-
TEN and like President Kerr $4,000
load upon the state horde of pro-
fessors (O who can't pass an Sth
grade examination and who may not
have attended a college or a normal
but are demanded by scheeming poll
ticians in their deals.
But this $4,000 salary ruse and fake;
this $50 per day and favored by such
men as j. X. Weatherford plainly in
dicates that he aspires to some elective
office and is bidding for favor and
support of this political organization.
Keep your eye OH Weatherford. Does
President Kerr ($7000) need another
increase in salary? Well at the time
he came upon 0. A. 9. it was printed
in the press that he came from Utah;
that he was a Mormon. Recently /
have been told that in Utah he had 4
wives that in coming to 0. A. Q. he
sacrificed three of them, cut them out.
Now if President Kerr $4,000 pleads
the moral and human obligation and
literally contributes to support of
these other three wives, perhaps $1,000
is not sufficient and therefore this
$4,000 fake is justified by meeting this
obligation.
JAMES K SEARS,
Citizen Tax Payer.