davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
A Grab After Future Spells

Merit in the. postal service is not going
TO triumph over politics if Mr.. Moon,
chairman of the House Committee on Post
Office and Post-Roads, can prevent 1t.
Frankly declaring his lack of belief IN the
civil service, he has caused the House 10
reject Senator Poindexter's proposal to put
all postmasters under the merit system.
The political purpose of this is shown UNI
mistakaby in his endeavor TO have the
Poindexter amendment changed to affect
only those postmasters holding Office on
December go l9l7--ln other words, nc Is
undertaking to give the politicians in the
Administration time to weed out all post
masters now holding office who are not de
serving Democrats" and to put the favored
ones into the places thus made vacant
before the change to the merit SYSTEM is
made. If his change were adopted by Con-
gress the deserving Democrats now hold
ing Office and those others to be appointed
according to his programme would become
officeholders for life.
There is no excuse other than sheer,
downright political greed for Mr.. Moons
attitude. The Poindexter amendment
would cover in a host of Democratic post
masters, political appointees. No legltl-
mate argument can be made against that.
They are the present officeholders, duly
qualified for their places according to
the standards of this Administration.
Whether this change from the existing APP
pointive system to the civil service rule be
made now or under some subsequent adj
ministration, political appointees will be
taken into the government service for lie,
and from the point of view of the man IN
the street it makes no especial difference
whether they happen to be Democrats or
Republicans.
But to suggest that the time of taking
effect of the change be postponed IN order
to give the authorities opportunity to
amend the list, to hand-pick those to whom
thew wish to give life jobs on the public
payroll, is about as crude and raw grab
at the spoils as ever came out of Demo-
cratic Congress.
The Poindexter proposal is for the bene-
fit of the country, in that it would event
ually bring into the postal service eff
cheney and due qualification for placehod-
ing which the present system does not
foster. That it would benefit the Demo
Gratis at present is minor matter, which
the Republicans in Congress have been big
enough 10 overlook. Mr.. Moons grab after
future spoils, however, makes it very
bitter pill for the Republicans or the coun-
try to swallow.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
PAcIFIST BROOMS
Cannot Sweep Back War; Only Question
Is Whether We Shall Be Ready
tn the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Why, as some persons whose motives
are doubtless earnest and sincere are pro
posing. submit to the people Of the Oni'eo
States referendum on the question: VI
whether we shall have peace or war
Out of the one hundred million inhabitants
of the country there would not be corpora
guard who would vote for war. Assuming
that a vote were taken on such referendum
and that that vote were over~helhihsH
against war-as il unQuessonably ~ou'u DC
how, pray you. would that serve TO keep Us
out of war? It would nave no more erect
in stopping the inevitable conflict in when
we are all too soon TO be involved than
broom would suffice to sweep back the tlde.
Peace or war is emphatically not the main
question at issue in this dag and nour ana
any time devoted to its discussion or to the
taking of referendum vote on the question
is lust so much valuable time wasted az
crucial period, when every hour IS Vi'ai ~
efrecting adequate preparedness. TO the emu
that our national existence may be preserved
II il amazing that men of the keenness of per-
ception and acuteness of judgment oil those
who are advocating a war referendum do not
realize the fatalness Of their fallacious argu-
ment. .-.
The only question at issue is, Are we to
adequately prepare ourselves TO meet war
when il comes? For war is coming TO u.s.
II will not be of our seeking; 1t VIII De thrust
upon us and we cannot escape from IL. ror
more than two years we have practlseu
patience in the face Of great provocatlon'
and our patience has not prevented war from
ever drawing closer to us; we have meekly
endured insult, and our meekness has but IN
vited added insult; we have suffered violence
without retaliation at the hands OF those Win
whom we were supposed to be at peace ana
our forbearance has not acted as deterrent
of war: We have done all that was possible,
and much that was quite impossible-more
in fact, than any other nation has ever dohe
before-to keep clear of hostile clash. and
all that we have done has but acted as
magnet to attract 70 us the very catastrophe
of war We have so earnestly sought TO AVOID.
Is it not perfectly clear, then, that in the
working out of the destiny OF the universe
which VIC sec going on about US even the
unanimous protest of hundred million peo-
pie would be powerless to arrest that destiny?
War or peace? BY all means Let us have
peace" But We will have to fight for that
peace it may be tomorrow, it may be a
month or year hence, but fight for 1t we
must.
The one referendum which should be sub
mitted to the people is, Are you ready and
willing to do your part, however humble 1t
may be. to put the country in a state and con-
dition of adequate preparedness, military and
industrial, against the imminent and inevita-
bic contingency Of war? If that question Is
answered in the affirmative and the answer
translated into instant intelligent. construc-
tive action, the country is safe, come what
NAV. HOMER DUNE.
Yonkers, ~ " Feb. :, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10

cessity and military ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, just
as it has always been, and American rights
and all neutral rights will mean as little
to her in the hour Of her next bid for mas
terry as they mean to-day.
War with Germany cannot safely be
localized or abridged. 1t should be con-
Quoted with German earnestness and des-
peration. We should seek decision at
every possible point, and should avail our
selves of the full aid and cooperation OF all
Germanys present enemies, offering full
cooperation in return.
Only thus can the principle for which
we fight be securely reasserted. Every
force in the world for civilization and
righteousness should be coordinated now
in the effort TO obliterate for good and all
the detestable German doctrine that SO
far as intercourse between nations is con-
cerned, might alone makes right.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
A REVOLUTION IN COSTA RIGA
Properly Press ACCENTED and Otherwise
Theatrical, Nevertheless a Surprise

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: On Saturday last, January -, was
in San Jose, the capital of Costa RIGA, and
was lucky enough to be an eyewitness Of a
Central American revolution. The President
of Costa RIGA was, as you are aware, de-
posed oil that day, by coup d'etat, by the
Minister of War The deposed President
took refuge in the American Legation. The
scene of action was the plaza in front OF
the artillery barracks, in the heart of San
Jose
When | accidentally arrived on the spot
about 10 o'clock in the morning, the Minister
of War, in khaki and spectacles, armed with
sword and revolver was marching vigorously
around and around the plaza and shouting
cxcitedly to the populace He was accom-
panied by two buglers The crowd of specta-
tors became denser every minute.
Then, without any warning, there was a
quick rattle Of rifle shots from the artillery
barracks. from the police barracks, from the
roof of the new postoffice, and from every
housetop in the neighborhood, and the enor-
nous crowd of citizens suddenly and VIC.
lcntly ran for their lives.
The object Of this fusillade was not APP
parent, but six innocent persons were wound
ed. The firing lasted about five minutes
II appears that all this had been arranged
in advance, and that printed notices had
been sent around to those who were favor
able to the revolution, naming the day and
hour. Nevertheless, the secret was kept and
the government was taken by surprise.
When | left San Jose the town was in
possession of the revolutionists, consisting
Of armed citizens and soldiers; the rebellious
Minister Of War, General Don Federico A
Tinoco Gransdos, was running the govern
ment, and the deposed President, Don Al
fredo Gonzales Flores, was still hiding in
the American Legation. The whole revolu-
ton. from beginning to end, was like a
theatrical performance. 1t was as interest
ing as a novel and as funny as good comic
opera. BERTRAND ShAD" ED
Colon. Panama Canal Zone, Jan. 80, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
The Price Of An American Citizen

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In Mr.. Simon Lakes advertisement in
various New York papers yesterday there are
many inconsistent and odious remarks.
Mr.. Lake pleads for strict neutrality and
upholds the wanton and wilfu murder on the
high seas perpetrated by Germany. and by
implication believes the murder Of the women
and children who were bound for this cat
that time neutra) country, and not for the
shores of beligerent, justitabe. I'm
doubtedly Mr.. Lake does not believe in stop
ping and searching vessels, or at least giving
the passengers and crew time TO take TO the
lifeboats.
There are more inconsistencies in his state
ment, but for an American at least be-
lieve he claims protection Of this country
to make as disgusting statement as the fol-
lowing is almost nconceivable: 81 should
prefer to have the following Interpretation
placed on the Presidents words speaking OF
the "strict accountability note"l: For every
American life that you cause to be lost who
was not engaged in aiding your enemy, we
shall debit you with -- dollars. to be paid
to their family" What noble, high sound
ing words How humane, not to say patr-
otto. for this person Ito call him man would
be n compiment) to put American citizens,
or, in fact, the citizens of any country, on
the bargain complementary numbering as
one chooses and then paying for il!
Was snything more Objectionable ever in
print before!
Mr.. Lake would do very well in the future
TO be silent. FAIR PLAY.
Brooklyn, Feb. Z, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
The Atlantic

Black skies, black waves o thou imperious
Sea,
What solemn destiny dost thou enfold?
What things are moving in thy grim and
cold
Dark depths, what mighty things that are
to be?
Our white wing'd clippers mother'd we're by
thee;
Our stately frigates knew thy pride of old;
Across thy breast our privateers struck
bold
And all our life must own thy ministry
Gargantuan jaws between the sea and night;
The great heart pulsing like moving
shroud.
Tomorrow? All. tomorrow will be bright
Gold sun and silver sails, and scarce a
cloud
But bark. What shout wa, that? What black
shapes loom
What breakers thunder at the Gates Of Doom
EARL SIMONSON. +
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
WHY DISTINCTIONS OF SEX?
Men and Women Are Both Human and
Should Have Protection They Need

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue of February l appeared
a letter, "What Sex Equality Means May
offer a few questions and kindly criticisms
on that rather astonishing letter! The lady
from Yonkers tells us that "the women in
Europe are not doing mans work because
mans work is on the battleiields.' Whose
work, then. is it that the women are dong
Have the English women always been accus-
toned to driving trucks, cabs and engines
and every vehicle of travel and traffic! Have
they always been car conductors, members
Of the traffic squad, ticket punchers. hod car
riers. street cleaners? We must infer that
working in munition factories is also not a
mans job.
As human being, let me point out that
voman's place and work in this world is
everywhere that mans is. Let us not be so
sex obsessed and worried about what dread
full thing. will happen to the state and the
race il we don't keep accentuating woman 8
sex differences or distinctions. There is no
sex in sin, or in work, and neither is there
sex in heaven, according TO Christs state
ment So let us not FRAGILE ourselves to
death over little temporary sex arrange
ment for this life only, but keep in mind
more the fact that woman is quite as much
a human being as man is, and no more sex
than he is sex, and that is why she, as a
human being, is his equal before all the laws
of God and nature; and that is why man
should not continue to "hog the hlm,' thus
crowding the equality group-msn and woman
out of Gods original picture, which painted
both the male and the female in, and gave
them meaning BOTH dominion and power
over all the earth.
Woman has gotten way, way beyond the
point where men can say she may not do this
because of her sex. She has done, so far.
everything that she has set out to do, even
70 climbing a ships ladder, and now men are
gladly calling on her to do their work and
to help in their work, everywhere. There is
no sex in work, let me repeat. The very best
protection for woman is the right to help
make the laws for her protection. Have the men
always made the best laws possible for the
protection of women, morally and physically
For whose protection did men legisiate when
they made laws concerning the age OF con-
sent? Was it for mems or for women's q
should say little girlso! What body Of
women in the legislative halls would ever
have placed the age Of consent as low as
seven ten, twelve, fourteen or even sixteen
years? The very thought of such thing is
m nstrous, and yet why was it not equally
monstrous in legislative bodies of men? Pro-
tectors Of wonren, indeed! Woman should
have the vote so that she, knowing her own
special needs better than any man can posi-
bly, know them, may be able to make or help
10 make the laws for her own special protec-
ton and needs. B. A. HITCHCOCK.
Canaan, Conn, Feb. Z, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
Washington Heights Neighborhood Centre

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The Board Of Education has recently
established a Neighborhood Centre at Public
School 1872, situated at 1S2d Street and Wads-
worth Avenue. This Neighborhood Centre is
open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Saturday evenings. The activities are varied.
We embrace a stretch of territory which is
known as Washington Heights. On Monday
nights the facilities of the school provide for
various athletic and recreational exercises.
The upper part of the building is now used
by clubs and organizations of various kinds.
On Wednesday nights the same programme
prevails. On Thursday nights, in addition to
the athletic exercises and the meetings Of
the clubs, social dancing is conducted under
the strictest chaperonage. On Saturday
nights athletic and basketball games are held.
This note is written in the hope that those
who are not acquainted with the facilities
that the Board of Education offers TO the
dwellers Of the Washington Heights section
will avail themselves of the opportunity TO
use the Neigh borhood Centre as place for
club meetings, for dramatic societies, for
alumni associations, for taxpayers associa-
tions, in fact for any work which will bring
the Washington Heights individual into closer
contact with the neighborhood proper.
| shall be pleased TO consider any applica-
ton which requests the use OF meeting
space, or athletic space, if presented by a
group of young men or young women, and we
shall be very glad TO extend to them any
courtesy in regard to the use Of room in
this building.
DANIEL NJ. ALPERIN, Director
New York, Jan. 81, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
The 1917 Model Hen

1t used to be motor cars that changed
so radically from year to year that only a
perennial bull market could supply the
innocent public with dividends enough to
keep up with the procession. After two
years car looked as obsolete as the Dead
wood coach. A more economical system
now prevails. The new word is refine
ment," and the careful dresser can to-day
run as ancient motor car as 1915 model
without disgracing his family or his suburb.
With hens the fashion movement is in
the reverse direction and going strong.
Back in the good old days when no well
bred hen would have considered it respect
able TO live behind cheesecloth hen was
Just hen and nothing more. There were
traces of remote Brahma and Plymouth
Rock ancestry and perhaps White Leg
horn grandfather to be observed in every
chicken yard. And there was always a
black hen or two that had mysteriously
come "out of the somewhere into the here
and that always laid eagerly and well.
Otherwise, they were mongrel, chicken
yard hens, knowing neither family trees
nor trap-nests nor scientific feeding.
Just when the modern fashion of chang
ing hens every year began we do not pre-
tend to know. About the year that drafts
were determined TO be bad for chickens,
we suspect, and cheesecloth appeared at
the windows of all our best chicken houses.
For such elegantly equipped homes deli
cately nurtured and thoroughly aristo-
cratic birds were obviously necessary. So
the era of pure stock began. All our best
known committing farmers event in for"
Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns.
But notsfor long. The noble race of Or
pingtons began TO drive all other rivals
from the field. One year it was White
Orpingtons; the next Buff; and even Blue
Orpingtons appeared upon the scene. The
poor suburbanite, rushing wildly from one
strain TO the next, hardly had time to cal
culate the cost in dollars per egg.
A cutthroat game it has been. The man
just securely arrived on White Orping-
ton basis could never sleep peacefully for
fear that he would awake in the morning
70 find that his nearest neighbor and rival
had stolen a march in the night and
bought something newer. Barred Plym-
outh Rocks, Of ancient memory, were
coming back, it was rumored in 1915. And
Orpington stock sold down to new low
levels. Yesterday new champion stepped
inB the ring A. f.. Rdenour, Of Toledo,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
A Nationalized Citizen Army

In view of the present critical situation
and the manifest military unpreparedness
of the country, a constitutional amendment
proposed by Assemblyman Marsh, OF New
York County, and an accompanying con-
current resolution deserve serious consid-
Grafton from the lawmakers at Albany and
the citizens Of the state. The proposed
amendment seeks to relieve the state OF
the necessity of maintaining at all times
an active militia, properly armed and
equipped, permitting the state authorities,
until the Federal authorities shall other
wise provide, to maintain "such land and
naval and active and reserve forces as 1t
may deem proper" The resolution recite'
the breakdown of the militia system, as
demonstrated by the Mexican mobilization,
and the failure of Congress to provide an
adequate system Of defence, and calls on
Congress to abandon reliance on the Ma
tional Guard and the state militia and to
organize the citizen and reserve forces OF
the country outside of the regular army
and navy on q naIlOndI OASIS.
This is New York States natural and
inevitable contribution toward a pro-
cramme of preparedness which The Trib-
une heartily approves and supports. Even
before the Mexican tiasco the inadequacy
of the National Guard system as second
line of defence was manifest. The border
mobilization furnished the last conclusive
proof, if any were needed. The well ad-
vertised recruiting campaign conducted at
that time was lamentable fizzle. When
the boys returned from the border, the
Guardsman who didn't say mo more for
me" was an exceptional individual. Just
at present there is renewal of interest IN
the Guard. but even if the enlstments
should come along at rate entirely be-
yond that now indicated, that fact would
only be demonstration of the triumph of
zeal and patriotism over the inherent dis
advantages and shortcomings Of the militia
system.
New York States division measured up
well. The state has no reason to he
ashamed of her men, and they have reason
to be proud of what they have done. That
is no reason why the state should stick to
q bad system, an inadequate system, when
a better one is within the range OF posi-
bility. The constitutional provision which
Mr.. Marsh desires to alter is rigid COM
initial of the state to this inadequate sys-
tenn It should be changed, be made f1exi-
bic, as he proposes, in order that the state
may be ready to legislate in accordance
with a broader and more intelligent ma
tional policy. And the states lawmakers
might well call upon Congress to adopt and
begin to carry out that broader and more
intelligent policy now, when the need for it
is so apparent.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
Core of the German Nation Still Sound

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your able editorials make one OF the
bright spots in the day and must be doing
good work toward sane and sound thinking
in these critical times. Your counsels of
moderation and kindlncss of Tuesday were
pure gold But to Quick reader, or one who
does not know your attitude as a consistent
whole, the Wednesday words 1--WE must
crush Germany'-may sound all wrong.
Will you not state in so many words what
you, Of course, mean-that We have no desire
or purpose to crush the great German peo-
pie. but only TO thwart the Prussian attempts
to throttle the best efforts of mankind? The
core of the German nation must still be
sound and sweet. Never have we had better
evidence than to-day and why should we
Kill the thing VIC love?
There is one other thing that I want TO
get of my mind. A letter in "The Atlantic
Monthly from a French officer tells how he
made an offer to Germans in trench close
BY, saying: ANY of you who are tired Of
making war and will come unarmed to us
will be we'll treated" He got an answer
saying that three were coming and they
came.
Must not there be many German soldiers
who know it is hopeless to keep on, and who
would do the same if they had the chance
Would not thousands Of leaflets scattered
from planes do more good than so many
bombs? Let few prisoners go back to tell
how they were treated in the Allies camp
and quietly pass the word along. 1t looks
to me as If there were something here worth
thinking about. To me the act of the men
who came in and surrendered, if they knew
their cause was not just. was not reprehens-
bic. The shame lies with the rulers who
deceived them into taking up arms to attack
their innocent neighbors. Where is the OBJ
lection to trying to undeceive them-for the
sake of humanity? j.
East Dorset, W., Jan I. 1917.