davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
A Fatal Parallel

10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Early in 1859, when Cavour the Pied
montese Prime Minister. believed that war
with Austria was coming, he arranged with
caribaldi 20 lead $4,000 volunteers. The
regular army officers objected, but Cavour
insisted that. as the war was ior Italy, every
joval element should be admitted to fight
for her. The cooperation Of Garoaldi
uroved TO be Of immense value, not so much
from the military point of view as from
that Of uniting loyal sentiment and arousing
enthusiasm for Italy everywhere.
To-day, in Colonel Roosevelt, the United
States has the most remarkable stirrer Of
popular enthusiasm since Gsribaldi He has
displayed this power over multitudes all over
the world. If he now went TO France his
presence would not only electrify the French,
but il would represent 70 them and our other
allies the spirit of America. He would sym
bolize the principles of universal liberty and
Justice. the bases Of civilization and democ-
rsey for which the world is fighting
Is it wise, is II patriotic, for the Admins
tration and the regular army men TO throw
away this incalculable asset? Political jeal-
ousy and professional pique ought TO have
no part in our prosecution of this war We
have no statesman-more's the pity!-to
compare with Cavour, but President Wilson
himself must surely recognize the wisdom Of
Cavour's act in getting Gsribaldi and his
volunteers into the war for Italian indepen-
Genee. Gsribaldi hated Csvour, but that
made no difference with tho great states
man, who was magnanimous as we'll as wise.
Can President Wilson be less?
WILLIAM ROSCOE THAYER.
Cambridge, Mass, May y, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15

example when he directed all his attention
10 the equipment of an army and none to
fighting the enemy Il not unobservcd. A
thousand and one other circumstances and
details IN the Washington situation are
coming home to people who, however I'M
informed and however slow to see, cannot
permanently be prevented from making a
correct Judgment and a right decision.
II will not do merely 20 muzzlc the
press. The fact that an attempt has been
made to muzzle the press is already fixed
in the minds of millions of Americans,
who. at a moment when they suspect things
are not as they should be, perceive that a
deliberate attempt is being made to de-
prive them Of knowledge. 1t will not be
enough 80 suppress Colonel Roosevelt's ex-
peditionary army because Colonel Roose-
welt is suspected of having some political
end in view. If the Administration is
prepared to send troops promptly to
France, no one will object to its refusal
TO accept Colonel Roosevelt's divisions.
But the public knows that Colonel Roose-
velt's divisions can be had and il means to
send troops TO aid France as soon as pos
sible. No thoughtful man cares by what
machinery results are obtained, provided
results are obtained and an honest effort
is made to obtain results, not to prevent
progress lest there be dispersal of praise.
Six weeks after the outbreak of the
Great War the French Republic had won
the Battle of the Marine. Six weeks after
the declaration of war between the United
States and Germany the Congress and
the President of the United States are
still engaged in fight over press censor
ship and over details of an army bill,
while the military effort of the United
States has been halted, all the proper and
necessary business of making war has
teen delayed. The result is written in
a growing unrest in this country which
expressed itself on the floor of Congress
last Saturday, and, censorship or no CEN
sorship, will express itself hereafter
throughout the nation if there be no
change in Washington.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
A Change for the, Worse

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In this mornings Tribune you carry
a story on the Plattsburg camp, and in one
paragraph mention the fact that il is ru-
mored the government contemplates chang
ing the present army tunic, with its high
military collar, for the style worn by the
Canadian and British soldiers. Have YOU
ever seen the loose, low-neckcd, sloppy"
appearing roll-collar, with lapels, that these
Englishmen wear? Low-necked, soft collar.
with fourth hand tie, they present far
from military appearance. How much more
snappy and solder-like Uncle Sans troop
ers appear in their smart, closely fitting
tunic, with outstanding collar
II the government adopts the British coat
our troopers will lose their individuality
when they assume their position in the
trenches. BY all means let US stick to our
own American Uniform With our good old
Montana peaks" and service khaki, we can
feel proud Of ourselves as Uncle Sans
fighting men. If we discard our uniform
and copy John Bulls I'm afraid we'll feel
az though we are playing second fiddle.
Let's not trade our Yankee rig for any other.
NORMAN C. CAUM.
2 New York. May 10. 1917. ~
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
Wanted-Practical Ways to Help

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: This is not written as a criticism ei
the work of the various womens organic
tions for preparedness, but to try to lean
the answers to some questions which hs"
been puzzling me for some time past.
I believe | am fairly representative OF
large class of women, each earnestly desi'
ing to "do her bit" for our country, but crop
ing in the dark for a practical means OIL et
pressing her patriotism, so feel that an
not making merely an individual inquiry.
am sure there must be many ways u
which the women of this country can nep
quietly and lastingly, and that there sr
many anxious to do so. without any desire
do the picturesque, the heroic or tnes'n'
thing. II is obviously the duty of every womsH
to practise economy in her home and osH!
life; and if the woman be self-supportng 0!
with others dependent on her, TO first st'ens
to those duties. But surely there mus, "
some practical and beneficial work TO wn''
these women can devote their spare time. =.
have not been able TO find thst wofh'
is probable that my inquiries have been mn
directed. On every hand my questions ."
answered with vague references TO au'o",
bile training classes, courses in aviation A"s
numerous other picturesque and expensn'
pastimes for the woman of means and ieissiS
which arc wholly Impractical for those ID ''S
fortunate circumstances.
Flag waving, band playing, drills IN u0,
form and street parades are pretty things -.
arouse much momentary enthusiasm"
they do not accomplish any great good. hsns
Of the participants in such demons'ss'iOaa.'
seem to 90 into them with holiday spns
Obvious to the seriousness Of our sl'ua.,v.
II is high time for every one to realEe '"''
this is no opera bouffe performance.
DORIS +. IRVING
New York, May 10. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
The Town Clock

Art and utility ought never TO conflict,
in theory; in real life they are always fall
inc out-as to-day over our favorite time
piece, the City Hall clock. Now that
the tower has been gutted-for the second
time in its hstory-the question again
arises of eliminating the clock, which was
not in the original McComb design and
which architects have always regarded as
a blemish on an otherwise admirable
creation.
We don't know how many blllions-to
use the fashionable numeral of the hour
Of commuters and Brooklynites and plain
Manhattanites hurrying home 10 dinner
yearly operated their schedules by our
town clock It's elderly hands were not the
most accurate in the world. But they
usually kept trife ahead of the sun
and the timetables, and what more can any
one ask? Just as your navigator takes
his sights by the sun every day, so New
Workers have for generations taken their
meridian attitudes and plotted their posi-
ton and courses by old Marty Keese's
chronometer.
But there are other clocks, three others
to be precise, all within sight of the trav-
eller hustling homeward across the square.
After few days or weeks of missing the
one central clock, like the soldier who loses
leg or an eye we should become accus-
toned to our affection and forget that any
thing was changed. But art, when it is
anything as beautiful as the City Hall, is
not to be so easily put out of mind. The
pleasure that we take from the graceful
stones which John McComb's imagination
put together a hundred years ago is real
and persistent That grace and beauty
have been sadly marred by the stupidity
of 1880. We shall be dull lot of time
servers if we do not take the present OPP
portunity to sacrifice small convenience
and restore our best public monument to
it's originSl and proper state.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
"Kadaver"
New York, May 10. 1917.

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The indignant denial by certain oe'
mans that Kadaver is ever used to designs,
a corpse would have more force II u w"
founded on knowledge, and if ii did not ems.
nate from the same class whose iee."s
were so terribly lacersted by the reports
German atrocities in Belgium.
When | was student in Germany ma,
years ago | heard corpse called hsas ~.
more than once by medical students AK,
standard Meyers Observation-Disclosures wv
defines Kadayer as 'toter Korper, Leienn'L !.
besonders Won (Haus) Tieren." There !.
nothing here about its exclusive app''.s-
10 the dead bodies of animals. Inc W.
Leichnam always implies at least sns
feeling Of reverence -Pieta. the Germ.s.
call il. That the present regime IN ~.
many has any more regard for the dead ~.
of a man than Of horse only he wiz 49,
who does not know the soul OF Pruss, n~s
Germany. CHAS' w. So'
Athens, Ohio, May -. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15

Tho efforts being made in Great Britain 70
conserve the health of muniton workers
through systematic and carefully planned
welfare supervision in factories and work
shops arc described in Bulletin 222, Just
ISSUED by the Bureau Of Labor Statistics OF
the United States Department Of Labor. This
bulletin. the second one in the group repro
duclng documents giving foreign experience
In dealing with labor conditions growing out
Of the war. includes reprints OF the mem
oranda published by the British heaith oil
munition workers committee, covering the
subjects Of welfare supervision, Industrial
canteens, cantccn construction and equip
ment. Investigations as to workers food and
suggestions as to dietary and washing facliI-
ties and baths. The bu! tin also includes an
article on the value of welfare supervision
TO the employer by b. Seebohm Rowntree,
manufacturer and director OF the welfare
department, British Ministry of Munitions.
The Home Secretary has been given powers
TO secure the welfare of munition workers by
issuing orders regulating such matters as
arrangements for preparing or heating and
taking meals, supply Of drinking water ana
protective clothing, ambulance anu HiSI ~"
provision, supply and use of seats in work
rooms. facilities for washing, accommodation
for clothing and supervision Of workers. NO
contribution may be exacted from workers
for these benefits, but for additional DEMENT'S,
which the employers may not reasonably be
expected to provide, an assessment may be
made if two-thirds of the workers assent IN
which event the workers are permitted 10
have representation in the management OF the
arrangements, accommodation or other facll-
tiles to be provided.
II appears from the welfare memoranda
that industrial efficiency depends largely
upon consideration OF the health OF NUM-
ton workers through proper attention to sucn
questions as housing, transit, canteeu proVi-
sion and individual welfare of the employe'
which have become of vital concern 70 manu-
facturers who appreciate the necessity OF
conserving their labor force in order to attain
n maximum of production in the shortest
space of time. Managers generally TESTIFY 10
the value of the services rendered by welfare
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
Welfare Work in Munition Factories

runorvisors The committee recommends ~
particularly important the appointment " :"
conpetent woman welfare supervisor u
neriepco and sympathy, who shall devote her
a,,ontio, exclusively TO problems ahec'ihs
the health Of women and girls, TO inc ch"i".
TOR and behavior Of fellow women "ofheis' ~
.he maintenance of suitable ana sun ioio"s
sanitary accommodations, to the eapaciIy .,
,yorkors 90 withstand the physical STRAIN ana
stress Of work and to their power 10 enu"i'
long hours. overtime and night WORK
Closely allied to welfare supervisor a.
- : tho necessity for adequate provision
of canteen facilities where WORKERS may oD
tain a dietary containing a sufficient proper
ron and ouantity Of nutritive material. suhi-
c;ontIv varied. easily Ggestible, and at rea-
sonable cost, which will enable them 10 man
tain their health and output. II IS the con
viction Of the committee that in the highesU
interest of both employers and workers proper
facilities for adequate feeding arrangements
should be available in or near, ana shouiu
form an integral part Of, the equipment o.
all modern factories and workshops. Inns
nolicy "has abundantly JUSTIFIED ltseIt rom
a business and commercial point OF view.
Marked improvement in the physical cohoi-
ton of workers, n reduction of sickness Tess
absence and broken time, less tendency 70
Il ANN
alcoholism. increased efficiency and out
nut q saving of time to the workmen, greater
contentment and better midday ventilation
Of the workshops are some Of the Dement'S
noted. IT,. o..
The bulletin includes some suggestions as
"a dietary for munition workers, based upon
a careful analysis of meals provided by can
teens and hotels and the food brought oy
workers. .-...o g
The committee urges the Importance OIL
proyidng opportunities for washing so ,nal
,yorkors may be clean and tidy when they
leave their employment. Bathing 1acilites
should be provided in many industries espe.
c;aIIv where workers are exposed 10 great
boat and excessive dust or brought INTO con-
tact with poisonous materials.
The article on the value of welfare work 70
tho EMPLOYER is based upon the proposition
that since the employer gives careful atten
,ion TO his machinery in order to MAINTAIN
output. he should give at least as mueh con-
sideration to human beings, which are IN
dnitely more complex and delicate than ma
chimes, if he would obtain satisfactory out
put.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
Quantity Buying for the State

Directed by law to investigate present
methods of purchasing supplies for state
departments and institutions, the commits
sion of which Controller Travis is chair
man might better have been directed out
right to establish central purchasing
bureau. That is the object of It's work.
There already exists in the records of the
Controllers department and in many Off
cial reports of boards and commissions
ample information regarding the wasteful-
ness of the present method of buying sup
plies for departments individually when
ever shortage occurs. The way to stop
this waste, obviously, is to consolidate and
svstematize the states marketing, thus
obtaining the advantage of buying in large
quantity at the best market rates.
Such advantage this city has enjoyed
for a considerable period now through the
Mayors purchasing commission, and still
further advantage is to be obtained in
future through the enlargement of this
system. under recent Legislation, to take
in the buying fot all city departments and
institutions. The Federal government has
similar method of obtaining department
supplies, which also has worked with
marked success.
The State of New York cannot do better
than follow these examples. II needs to
save money, Heaven knows! Its expenses
for running the routine business of its de-
partments are increasing yearly at ire
mendous rate. Officialdom annually has to
rack its brains TO discover new sources
of taxation, and at that has to resort too
frequently TO heavy direct tax to make
An deficiencies. Two big sources Of leak
age have long existed--the waste of
moner in purchasing and the misspend-
ing Of money for clerks and minor officials
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
Wants Posterity to Pay
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: With the possible exception of those
who have adopted the principles of famous
English statesman of the last century in
drawing up the present war tax, all will agree
with Congressman Fordney's declaration that
posterty should be made to share this bur-
den. since it will get all OF the benefits with
none of the human sacrifices. Even the most
advanced advocates of the principles Of
progress" and of humanity" solely at the
expense of the present generation could
hardly have expected TO see the burdens
saddled upon us by slightly altered appl-
cation of the dctum of Sir Boyle Roach,
which might be said to be, "Why should we
put tax upon posterity when posterity has
never put tax upon us?'
JOHN p. DAWN, VI. d.
New York, May II. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
Sweating Incomes
or of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The Hon. Claude Kitchn is having
his revenge on those who insisted, against
his advice and influence, on declaration Of
war against Germany. As chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee, charged with
the duty Of preparing tax bill, he proposes
to take it out of the hide Of those who OPP
posed him. In effect, he says: "Confound
you" perhaps it a shorter and stronger
expletive). "You wanted war and have got it,.
and am going to make you sweat to the last
drop of your income and profit for daring TO
defy my wishes NJ. T. r.
New York, May IL, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
Much to Make Amends For
Urom me Clcrciand Lcadcr)

IRON me Ctet Gland Lcdder)
Capable and responsible observers in Pet
rograd say that the most potent outside in
fuence in leading the Russian radicals to
the clamor for peace without annexations
or indemnities, which threatens to wreck the
Russian government by forcing it TO break
solemn treaties with its allies or else plunge
into the agones and perils Of civil war has
been the speeches and state papers Of Presi-
dent Wilson What he said when he was
still striving desperately TO keep the United
States out of war has been quoted by wild
revolutionists in Russia proof that they
are wise and right in seeking TO smash the
great alliance against Germany and play the
German governments game, without know
ing what they are doing.
Fine phrases, fashioned TO voice the Presi-
dents lingering dream of peace for the
world without fighting to win it, have been
undermining the new government OF the
great nation just emerging from its old night
of despotsm into the sunshine of liberty.
American dealism, not sufficiently held in
check by American common sense, menaces
the very life of the young Russian republic.
Petrograd MODS have been getting intellectu-
ally drunk on speeches which sounded very
beautiful in Washington, though far Off and
dreamy.
And now, in self-defence against the dire
effects of Russia's threatened collapse into
anarchy, this country must make amends,
as far as that may be possible, for the harm
done, with the best of motives, by its own
President. u must strive nightly TO help
Russia save itself from the effects of taking
too literally the painting of Mr.. Wilson's
shining word pictures of peace without vic
tory"
Could there be a more striking lesson on
the harm which pacfst ofatory and agita-
ton can do? Is it possible to imagine a
more impressive demonstration of the fear
full dangers of subordinating common sense
and plain prudence TO day dreaming, when
the world is Keeling under the shock of the
most tremendous of all wars? II is more
than possible that tens of thousands OF
American young men must risk their lives
because their country and its rulers would
not prepare for danger. would not make
ready the defences which were plainly die
tated by the conditions of the times and
would not stop talking of far distant ideals
when the country needed all its energies and
abilities for making sure of its own safety.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
British Admiralty Reform


II will be a sore disappointment to Sir
Edward Carson's political foes that he Is
unaffected by the changes In the admins
tration at Whitehall. Not that there was
ever any sound reason to believe that MS
colleagues In the Ministry or on the hoard
of Admiralty were In any way dissatisfied
with him; for although rumors of his i'm
pending resignation have for some time
been current It was generally obvious that
they were inspired by motives that had
little or no relation to the welfare of the
navy or to the present state of affairs at sea.
Not single opportunity was missed to
make it appear that Sir Edward Carson
had failed as First Lord, and when the
Prime Minister visited the Admiralty a
fortnight ago it was freely predicted that
there would soon be complete reorgani-
cation Of the Board and he would be the
first to 60.
1t was entirely proper that criticisms
founded on dissatisfaction with the work
Of the navy should be directed against the
First Lord, but the truth is that most of
the attacks on Sir Edward Carson had
nothing to do with naval administration,
but were due only>to his known political
activities before the war.
1t is therefore not at all surprising to
learn that he continues in office, and that
the reforms actually effected are Of a
more general and urgent order, the main
purpose being apparently to relieve those
responsible for the military handling of
the navy of all departmental duties and
at the same time to strengthen the ship
building department.
There can be no doubt that there was a
very general demand for differentiation
of function among those who have had
most experience in the conduct of the war
at sea, for though it might reasonably be
supposed that differentiation had been
progressive from the earliest days the fact
is that the distribution of business had
become in many respects hopelessly con-
fused and time and energy were wasted
by improper organization.
The new Naval Staff, with Sir John
Jellcoe at its head, is now to be freed en-
tirely of what may properly be accounted
civil duties. so that their energies will in
future be employed entirely on military
matters. Hitherto the duties Of the First
Sea Lord, in so far as they could be defined
at all, were far too complex. The old sys-
tenn was, indeed, wasteful and unsatis-
factory. and the responsibilities removed
from the shoulders Of Sir John Jellicoe
can just as well be taken over by other
hands. while he will have full scope in
his own proper field.
The change will undoubtedly be well
coined by him and by the navy generally,
for in the past too many whose business
should have been the conduct Of war at
sea have been so burdened with extraneous
duties that their plight could only be
likened to that of general commanding a
great army and obliged at the same time
to superintend the manufacture and deliv-
cry of all munitions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
United Wheat Fields
lrrom The Proridenee Journal

North America is all one wheat country,
now that Canada, by an order in council. has
knocked down the tariff wall in favor of the
free admission Of American wheat, -four and
semolina-grits from the milling. On our
side of the border, because of provision in
the Underwood tariff law, the wall fell down
automatically with this action on the part
Of our neighbor.
1t may never be raised again. and it is not
unreasonable TO believe that because of the
closer friendship which the war is creating,
and the stronger sense Of a mutually Of in
terests. broadly. associated with recogni-
ton of nterdependence, Canada will be re-
ceptivc the next time the government at
Washington makes n prefer OF general reel
procity.