davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
The Soldiers Ballot Improved

The Legislature is to be commended for
having taken steps to make more simple
and easy the casting of soldiers and
sailors ballots. This year at election time
many thousands of electors from this state
will be serving their country in France, in
military environments training for the
front, or on shipboard. The election law
contempates their voting, but without the
changes Just made that voting would have
been difficult and cumbersome.
Under the law as it stood ballots were
provided, but the soldiers and sailors had
to write in the names of candidates for
whom they wished to vote. Having incom-
plete, possibly inaccurate, lists they would
at the best vote incomplete ballots; the
possibility of ballots spoiled through tech
nical errors was great, and many men
would decline to take the trouble to vote
when they could not have printed ballots
like those furnished to stay-at-homes.
This evil has been corrected. Printed ballots
containing names of all candidates save
those for Alderman, Assemblyman and
minor county Offices will be furnished.
The rigid rules defining defective ballots
will not apply, but the boards Of canvass
ers will endeavor to figure out the intent
of the voter and so record the ballot. Com
handing officers will have discretion to fix
the time and place of balloting-it might
be in the trenches. A provision has been
made also intended to reduce the cost Of
canvassing the soldier and sailor vote by
requiring only two members of board
Of inspectors instead Of four.
These changes were greatly TO be de-
sired. The old provisions imposed unneces-
sary hardship, tending to discourage the
man in uniform, requiring him to exercise
the franchise under handicap. The coun-
try's disposition now is not to discourage
or handicap the soldiers and sailors, but
rather TO grant them every right and privi-
lege TO which they are entitled. Assuredly
| the right Of voting under conditions as
simple, as easy and as nearly as possible
like those to which they have been accus-
toned is one which they deserve.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
Dogs and Food Consumption

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue to-day ] rssa w.
by w. G. Grenshaw, IT,, who says 'n'' :
Hoover wishes 70 increase the 1000 "Ha
easily. first let him kill OF all the d'f' |"
one of the reasons he states that II !" @r
count of dogs the nation is prsSsh"' W.
raising sheep. ,ri
While it is true there are io' o. - ~,
dogs that should be exterminsted' 'n'n, ~ =,
the writer's contention that dogs prs,eN' -
raising Of sheepis erroneous, TO say ,n' 49,.
Let him 20 out TO Idaho, Wyoming N' 's =.
or any of the Western states ana - !.
opinion Of sheep raissrs as 70 he ..r,,
GOOD collies and shepherds. have s'. .1S 'I s,,
in that country which could ana q. . ~,
sheen better than any man, and VINO" o,S ~,
would not sell them for $4,000 sSUS /.
properly trained, is an asset, not NA'"''''
the sheep raising industry -
As for killing off all the dogs ~ ~. . h.
increase the food supply, | VIII ven, !, M
assertion that more food is consumes a
country by worthless humans than , y ns
less dogs. H. ,o,7
bridgeport. Conn, Aug. q, isi"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
The German Press Blunders
Q Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. There is one thing that impresses the
mind OF the intelligent readers of the cur
rent events of the day, that the German
press Of the United States either has had
very little influence with the German gov
ernment. or else it approves the barbarism
of the German army.
The common sense of the ordinary man
will look upon the policy adopted by the
German government in its work OF destruc-
ton in France and Belgium as shortsighted
policy, viewing it from the economic stand
point and setting aside the inhumanity ana
Injustice of the destruction. The greatest
blow that has befallen the German people
has been the destruction OF their commerce
and of their commercial relations with the
nations of the world. Prior to 1914 Ger
many could boast Of as great commercial
success as any people. Their ships sailed
every sea, and they were successful IN all
that pertained to a thrifty, thriving people.
Why their government should embark in this
war and sacrifice all that they had gained
can only be based upon the inference that
they could afford to sacrifice all they had
ACCOMPLISHED to gain military advantage
which they thought was within their power.
Your able editorials and especially the one
of to-day "Why 1t Failed" Is strong evil
dence Of the fact that the sooner the German
press of the United States can impress their
fatherland OF the great mistake they have
made. and also change their course, TO a
policy of urging the German government
to surrender the ambition to control the
world. the sooner will peace come. And II
will be such peace that will be won by
the triumph OF common sense and the united
effort OF civilization over barbarous and
cruel power that seeks to impose itself on
the world.
Il will be'a wonder in future history why
the German press of the United States would
not stand by our government against the
policy which brought ruin to the great COM
nercial power Of the German people.
1t has been repeated very frequently that
Germany could not be crushed but one thing
Germany has been crushed; that is, her COM
MERGE w. o.
Washington, Aug. 81, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
An Economic Orthodoxy

President Wilson's reference, in his
message to Russia, TO certain European
Socialists who are being used by German
imperialism "to their own undoing" OBJ
viously does not refer to the American So
cialist party. The American Socialist
movement does not need any outside help;
it is undoing itself. Possibly it is more
correct to say that the Socialist party is
not so much undoing itself as revealing it.
self to the American public in its true
light. 1t is not political party at all. 1t
is church. 1t is sectarian movement,
founded on the word of Marx and intrusted
with the office of keeping pure the faith
once delivered to the comrades.
The ecclesiastical nature of the Socialist
sect is Enthusiastically revealed in the pres
ent liberal distribution of excommunica-
tons and designations by which Pastor
Hillquit is purging his household of faith
of the heresy of patriotism. Russell,
A. NJ. Simons, Gaylord and Lunn hav,
been cast into utter darkness. Walling,
Spargo, Stokes and others, all incidentally
persons with non-Teutonic names, have
back-slidden, having failed to make their
calling and election sure; while even Allen
Benson's orthodoxy is under suspicion.
Altogether, very thorough cleansing Of
the congregation of everything strictly
American! This pursm may appear to
unbelievers like narrow religious intoler-
ance on the part Of the faithful comrades;
but as Billy Sunday would doubtless say
in defence of the right of religious bodies
generally to expel unbelieyers, if church
member does not like the creed to which
he has subscribed let him get out and join
more liberal denomination.
SO far as the public is concerned, Mr..
Hillquit has the same right as any other
clergyman - make war on heresy within
the fold. If socialism prefers to dispense
with its ablest thinkers and writer's, it is
certainly not for worldly outsiders TO in
terfere. But any cult which makes it UNI
comfortable for loyal citizen TO remain
in it's membership will hardly gain favor
just at present in the eyes Of the Ameri-
can public. Obviously, II is unacceptable
10 the Socialist hierarchy if commune
cant shows much zeal in standing up for
his own country in it's armed conflict with
Germany. This country grants freedom Of
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
The Most Popular Man in America

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Straws show how the wind blows
Last night was at the Strand. As pictures
were shown on the screen Secretary Baker
was looked at in silence, President Wilson re-
ceived great applause, Elihu Root a rousing
reception, but Theodore Roosevelt set the
whole house to applauding and cheering.
We read that there is talk of sending Our
Teddy" at the head of 100000 mon to Russia.
The Russians do not need our men. If Presi-
dent Wilson is a BIG enough man he will APP
point Mr.. Roosevelt TO head company Of
one hundred men and let Mr.. Roosevelt
choose the men. Send these to Russia and
they would put such life and hope and en-
thusasm into the Russians and so much con-
sternation into the Germans that there would
be no more need to worry about the Eastern
front Am / not right?
President WILSON put a crown on his own
head when he showed he WAS big enough to
appoint Mr.. Root to head the Russian COM
mission Why can't he 20 one step further
and accept the help OF the most popular man
in all America? W. j. SHfLLlDAY.
New York, Aug. "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
A Challenge to Mr.. Mofett

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The American Defence Society, as
quoted in yesterdays issue OF The Tribune
spesks OF "the rising tide Of traitorous &C
tivities financed and directed by the i'm
perial German government" Mr.. Cleveland
Moffett was quoted In an earlier issue as
saying: 81 was informed to-day that pro-
German speakers in this city are being
financed by Wilhelmstrasse."
Let us have this information immedi-
ately. Or, at least, let Mr.. Moffett tell US
that he has placed IL in the hands OF the
proper authorities. His statement casts
the shadow of treason not only upon the
ro-Germans in our community but upon
all whose views concerning our national
policy do not agree with his.
Information" OF this sort, If without sup
porting evidence and without specific data
is not the weapon Of q straightforward man.
HIRAM X. MODERWELL.
Now York, Aug. 20, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
Why Not a Cotton Embargo2


Current statistics seriously suggest the de-
STABILITY if not the necessity OF placing at
least q partial embargo upon exports of cot
ton to neutral countries. 1t is well known
that cotton is one of the most important and
practically indispensable ingredients OF some
Of the high explosives used in war; wherefore
it may properly be clsssed as conditional con-
traband Germany does not herself produce
it. and is thus dependent upon imports from
other countries. That she has been thus far
receiving her supplies largely from America
is perfectly obvious. That she should con.
tinue thus to get her supplies from US while
we are at war with her would be disgraceful
anomaly.
1t is high time for all such traffic to be
stopped. We do not want to send soldiers TO
the war front to fight Germany, and at the
same time directly or indirectly to send cot
ton to Germany with which TO make expo-
siyes to kill them. II is said that an embargo
is not placed upon cotton because the govern
ment does not want to interfere with the pros
perIy Of the South. We should hate to be-
levS that true. We should hate to think that
the South, for the sake OF little higher price
for her cotton, was willing to supply our en-
envy with munitions Of war, with which to
torpedo our ships and slaughter our men. II
that were true, it would be one Of the most
appalling indictments Of the South that ever
was made
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
For Lower Freight Rate,
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; Inasmuch as the government |, "a,
at work forming commissions to invs,,n,,
the prices of commodities and supple, .. Al
kinds, We write to ask II the press q. %,
country cannot do something to stir 10 u.
shippers as well as the Administration ,nl,,,
the high prices that the European line, ,,d
American lines are now charging for ir,lss,
Everything now should be patriotic n,
freight rates that these companies are char.
ing really cannot be very patriotic, bu, h
stead are prohibitive, so much 80 that B
ship wheat, rice, provisions or other .dA,
commodities in some case, the rate |, rs
than the cost of the goods. For instance, u
freight Just before the war was from s3Es
81 ton on such food articles as rice, gl,s
ETC. Now it is from $50 to $50 ton.
Compare what il costs to ship ore hundw
tons of rice abroad now to what IL was hs!sn
the war; for instance, one hundred tons w.
fore the war would be $500; one hundred .su
now would be from $4,000 to 5000.
While there is no question about the prs
of labor, coal and other material Necessary I,
run a steamship being doubled, and in sor.
cases it costs three time, as much, there I, 10
cause, however, for the steamship companies
to charge exorbitant advances Of over LOO
per cent. The peculiar part Of this !, the fact
that all the lines, the Cunsrd Line, Anchor
Line and the American Line, have the same
rates, making it look as though II wa com
bination to hold IN these rates on the public
without any interference at all from the A
ministration; whereas II this was tons BY
manufacturing concern, it would claim lir
such action was contrary to the Sherman 49,
In connection with the above we vis' %
draw your attention TO the remarks OF W
President on this subject:
"Let US turn for moment to me nf
owners Of the United States and the VIZ
ocean carriers whose example they 10" "
lowed, and ask them II they realize wah~
stacles, what almost insuperaOle oosaas
they have been putting in the way OF n' :.
cessful prosecution OF this war by y" '''
freight rates they have been exae.ins
L. SCHEPP CONPAA!
New York, Aug. "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27

belief to ALL but it hardly expects to see
that freedom extended to sympathy Tor
the nations enemies in war. Other re-
ligious denominations which have been
transplanted to these shores from foreign
lands have made more or less conscious
effort to Americanize their followers. 30
cialism, in the hour of the nations crisis.
would seem to remain un-American.
Doubtless its hard and fast creedalism
accounts in q way for the unadaptableness
Of socialism in this lapd where less rigidly
doctrinal cults have been unable to resist
the liberalizing influences of American
life. The dogmatic temper OF socialism
has kept it thing apart and alien. True,
it's dogmas are for the most part the very
reverse of those of other narrow sects;
but one does not escape from sectarIan
limitations simply by turning his dogmas
upside down. Here, in fact, is the mis-
chief of trying to substitute an economic
orthodoxy for a theological. The static
and unbending habit of mind remains, but
not, as in the case of the traditional the
ologian, as something outside of and above
passing events. 1t is thrown in their very
vortex, condemned to deal with them or
perish; yet so theory bound is it that it
can do no more than repeat its formulas.
Orthodox socialism still sees the po-
litical situation from the intellectual
standpoint of 1913. Hence nationallsm
and patriotism are essentially sinful to its
mind 1t says in the Socialist Koran that
all wars must be the results Of Capitalist
conspiracies for profit" Hence England
and America, being Capitalist countries
must necessarily be "hypocritical" in re-
sisting Prussian tyranny and aggression.
If the Socialist party of Germany and
America had been a genuine political
movement it would have seen its supreme
opportunity in the present struggle OF
world democracy against Kaiserism. II
would have said with President Wilson:
Now, or never" But as it is sort of
materialist cult Of Adventism, the sociolo-
gians can only stand by and preach an alb
stract millennium of democracy, excom-
municating the very men who see in
American institutions an instrument for
bringing that millennium nearer.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
Send Roosevelt to Russia
Situation Demands Speedy Action
and He Is Man to Meet 1t
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Russia has sent out her S. I'm
mediate aid is the only kind that will be OF
any value. For our allies to give Russia mill
tary assistance is practically out OF the
question. The United States must act.
We cannot send a second Pershing eXpedi-
tton, and we cannot send "rookie' conscripts
1t is imperative that Theodore Roosevelt
and his proposed expedtionary force be
dispatched at once, in as large numbers and
well differed as possible.
He is the man to meet just such situation
one that demands the speediest possible &C
ton. His great courage, his indomitable will
and his unparalleled ability to awaken wild
enthusiasm among masses OF men should
make him the most welcome visitor Kerensky
could desire.
The presence of American troops in Russia
could not fail TO be mutually beneficial
Nothing could hearten the troubled Russians
so much the actual presence in their line OF
Americans, whom they regard as closest to
them in ideals and aspirations And the
actual presence of our men on Russian soil
would necessarily arouse our largest efforts
in keeping Russia well supplied.
We have, then, clear alternative. We can
putter and dawdle until it is too late--until
Russia is out of the struggle and the war is
thereby unspeakably prolonged and exhaust
ing. Or we can make the bold stroke, char
acteristic Of our national genius for quick
and comprehensive action.
Send Roosevelt to Russial T.R.
East Orange, n. j., Aug. 90, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
For a Uniform Standard
Examining Physicians Have Too
Much Discretion or Little knowledge

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The writer has successfully applied
for both Plattsburg camps, in the Natlonai
Guard and in the Naval Reserve, and IN
o.cb NJ these has been rejected on account
Of hernia and light weight. These are all
matters OF record. When examined for the
draft army the writer was accepted not
pithstandng the formidable record OF reJec-
tons to his credit.
am not at all familiar with the physical
requirements demanded OF men by the eN-
aiming army physicians; but why Is thefe
NOT some means of recourse for man, or
soma consideration given his appeal on the
grounds of physical unftness, particularly
sc there is every possibility Of his being re-
iected ut the camp? Going to camp IN many
instances means resigning from more or
less valuable position; and il the candidate
ia rejected he is thrown on his own re
sources, without a position, and compeleu
to start all over again in new company
OF course, it is altogether too late now
70 cry over the matter; but is it not posi-
BILE. through your paper, to agitate Tor some
sort Of standard physical requirement Tor
drafted man? II man with hernia Is eN-
empt in one district he should be IN an
other. One case is just as worthy OF con-
sideration as another, no matter VINO or
what the individuals might be. SO many
cases of this nature have cropped up and
so many cases of apparent favoritism nave
been reported in the papers at large that
il seems only fair some standard should De
set up, or at least lived up to, in order to MN
imize the hardship Of breaking ties unneces-
sarily.
"Fsir play to all" should be the motto OF
the local examining boards throughout the
country; but evidently it is not Either too
much discretion is placed in the hands OF
the examining physicians, and men are
made to suffer thereby, or too little actual
knowledge of what is wanted is displayed
bv the physicians of the various boards.
New York, Aug. %, 1917. READER.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
No Sweatshop Uniforms

Protests by the Mayor, the Mayors
Committee on National Defence and
needleworkers' unions that United States
army and navy uniforms were being made
in this city under sweatshop conditions
have met with prompt action by the Sec
rotary of War. Mr.. Bakers appointment
of board of three-a woman sociological
expert, a merchant and an officer Of the
Quartermaster's Department-with full
power to regulate conditions, promises to
remedy the evils complained of.
Heretofore the Quartermaster' Depart
ment, before letting a contract, has in
spected the factory of bidder and re-
jected the bid if working conditions were
rot up to standard. But one inspection
is not enough, especially at time when
the governments demand is increas-
ing by leaps and bounds and the tempta-
ton, even the necessity, to rush contracts,
overwork employees and overcrowd shops
is great. 1t is to be hoped that Mr..
Bakers labor control board will devise
machinery for checking these evils right
at the start. II it does it will have the CO.
operation of the city administration and
the sympathy of the people.
In a war like this it is not fitting that
the soldiers of freedom should 90 to the
firing line clad in garments which are the
product of one of the worst forms of mod
crn slavery.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
Windfalls
ern slavery.
From The Portland Ore0on,an)

As the apple and pear harvest approaches
it should be borne in mind that fruit, as well
as every other kind of food, ought to be con-
served as far as possible. Necessity for elm
mating waste extends to every item.
There is in every orchard a large proportion
of windfalls which have a legitimate use.
This fruit is not suitable for drying, because
that process calls for full maturity, in which
the sugar content has been developed 70 the
greatest possible extent. But the windfall
apple or pear makes excellent sauce and
toothsome pie, and there is no good reason
for feeding it to the hogs. II ought to be sold
for Just what i. is, at comparatively low
price and consumed before it spoils. It's lack
of keeping quality is against prolonged
period OF marketing.
Fancy grades of fruit have their place in
the scheme of things. One is that because Of
their soundness they are available after the
lower grades are gone. 1t is not unethical to
sell windfall apple as windfall, and it is
legitimate economy, from the viewpoint OF
both the grower and the eater.
Cheap fruit will not bear much transporta-
ton cost, nor stand fancy packing, nor selling
charges. But city folk who visit the country
in their automobiles this fall will help the or
chard owner, and incidentally replenish their
own larders at small expense, If they will buy
In moderate quantities, furnishing their own
baskets and dealing with the grower direct
No individual transaction will amount to
much. but the total will result in the saving
Of a considerable quantity of excellent fruit
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
How to Beat a Boss
tho Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Tho Murphy-MeCo Hearst H. lan
combination is muddying the political waters
of New York City; but surely the net is
spread in vain in the sight Of any bird es-
pecially a Democratic bird. All Of which
prompts me to ask, "Whv should a boss be
an ass?' Why Hylanl Why Knott Why
Craig? There is no sane answer save the
definition Of q Bourton.
As Governor Sulzer said, the only way to
beat boss is 20 beat the candidates Of tho
boss. As one Of the Democratic voters Of this
city. guess II is up to men like me to beat
the boss again by rejecting Mayor Mitchell
the best Mayor thu city has had in my rseol-
lection. X.
New York, Aug. 20, 1917.