davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15
WAR INSURANCE
UNDER new FIRE
Representative Dallinger
Cites More Cases of Hard
ships on Dependents.

Denunciation of the War Risk Bu-
reau for 'inexcusable inefficiency" in
handling allotments for soldiers de-
pendents was made on the floor of
the House yesterday. This was the
third time In a week that the bureau
has been under Congressional fire.
Thousands of families have TO be
supported by charity because OF the
mexcusable inefficieDcy of this admin
istration. which is a disgrace TO the
government of the United States" de-
clared Representative Dallinger, Re-
publican, of Massachusetts.
I'm common with every member Of
the House, / have been deluged with
complaints from parents at home and
wives. stating that they did not get
their allotments and allowances. Just
before election. when ! went home.
had not been there twenty-four hours
when ! was called upon by two differ
ent women, who said they had not re-
ceived a single cent for nine months.
and we have a great many similar
cases"
One of the most outrageous cases
which had come to Mr.. Dallinger's at
tention was that of sailor. This man
returned to this country after eighteen
months service In the North Sea. and
found that his family had not received
zone single cent" He had made an
allotment TO his wife twelve months
before. and for twelve months the
money had been taken out of his pay.
Here is one case. An old man. un-
able to work, sick a good deal Of the
time, has n sick daughter who keeps
house for him. He has three boys i'm
the service. The fourth was drafted
just before the war ceased. One OF
these boys married just before he went
into the army. and another married
after he got to France. That left one
boy in the service 10 make allotment
to the father. Now they found that the
old gentleman had a house and land
which was assessed for 1920. on the
strength of that the government took
away his allowance"
Representative Tague. Democrat, of
Massachusetts, said:
Il know of numerous cases similar
Ito those mentioned by the gentleman.
There must be something radically
wrong"
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15
CARRIERS W.S.S.
CONTEST ENDS
Close and Spirited Race for
Berberich's $1,000
Prizes Closes.

The letter carriers war saving
stamps contest. for which the cash
prizes offered by Berberich's totsling
1900, were at stake. came TO a close
last night after one OF the closest and
most spirited campaigns OF its kind
ever held by the Washington city
Postoffice.
Who the winners are is not yet
known, although up until a late hour
last night a force OF clerks was en-
gagged in checking up the returns. II
is known, however. that the sales for
yesterday alone will be at least So. =
900. three times greater than those of
Friday. the previous highwater mark.
This would bring the total for the
contest to more than S9l 900. but Of
ficiahs say that this is very conser-
Nstfve estimate. and the total may ex-
eeed even 100000 for the ten days.
From early morning until the closing
hour. every carrier on the force was
working to the utmost. bringing to
bear all the salesmanship talents they
possessed for the dual purpose of put
ting the District Of Columbia ''over
the top" in the matter OF it's w. S. =.
quota for the year and sharing in the
distribution of the cash prizes 80 gen
erously donated by Berberich's.
One mans sales for yesterday alone
were in excess of $500. Although no
hint was given as to the identity Of
the man I'm either case, IL also was
stated that one competitor annexed TO
his credit sales OF more than $500
for the whole campaign.
Owing to the difficulty in getting re-
turns from the various branch offices
at suburban points. IL is expected that
the final results will not be ready for
announcement until late tomorrow af-
ternoon. IL is planned to award the
prizes on the following day.
The work OF the contestants has been
closely watched by Postmaster Mer-
ritt o. Chance and his assistant, NAL
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15

Monument. Another was at the east
gate of the Botanical Garden, and
still another on Fourteenth street.
near the Washington Monument.
Upon the appearance of a prosper
Gus looking stranger skip" would
approach the man. exhibit his badge,
a large german silver AFFAIR. bear
ing the inscription. ''Ofhcial City
Guide" and volunteer to show the
visitor all the interesting places of
Washington and vicinity should
the stranger "fall for his stuff, as
the bogus guide termed his CONVEX
sation. he would be taken to an iso-
lated place where his eonfederates
were found engaged in a game OF
"three-card monte" and induced to
join the play,
l was a police reporter at that
time. and recall one particular incl
dent which viii serve to illustrate
the methods of the crooks in other
cases. Skivington was on outpost"
near the Washington Monument
when he spied a well-dressed, eleri-
cal appearing man sauntering along
towards the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing. regarded then. and
now. as one of the best show places
of Washington. BY taking a near
cut through the monument grounds
Skip" reached the outer entrance of
the bureau ahead of the stranger
Removing his coat and hat and con-
eealing those articles behind the
doorway. skip sailed forth to
meet the visitor at the iron gate in
FV. y n
thus, in his shirt sleeves and bare
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15

headed. to cause the stranger to be-
iieve he was an employe of the
money making plant of the govern
'ment
rs this the Bureau of Engraving
man inquired
1T is,but unfortunately the build
Ing is closed to visitors today. the
monte man explained we have
been given holiday by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury in order that
we may attend a most interesting
and historical affair Just across the
Potomac. All the employees are there
now, with the exception of Few
watehmen.'
Asked by the stranger as to the
character of the event across the
river. Skin informed him that a
magnificent monument to Gen. Gus
ter was to be unveiled with much
pomp and ceremony near Arlington
national cemetery (The Custer monu-
ment fake was a stock story of the
swindlers to induce strangers to ac-
company them outside the city limits
where the game could he worked with
more securityD
The President, members OF Con-
gress. and many other prominent men
and women will be there" Skivington
further explained 'Tn fact ! am
about to so over myself. and viii be
glad to have you accompany me. IL
viii be a great occasion"
The clerical stranger consented to
cross the river to witness the monu-
ment dedication, and the bogus guide
led him through the grounds to a
small boat owned by the crooked
gamblers and kept there for the pur-
pose OF ferrying victims to the monte
grounds on the other side of the Po-
tomac. During the passage across
Skip" learned that his victim was
the pastor of an aristocratic church
IN Philadelphia, and had numerous
friends in Washington. including gov
eminent officials and Congressman.
skinning the Kentucky Drovcr.
Reaching a secluded place on the OPP
posite shore the preacher was led
through the underbrush some distance
to- a small opening where number
of men were engaged in what ap-
peared TO be a wordy wrangle.
ITS gang of monte swindlers'."
Skivington whispered. "and they're
fixing to rob some poor fellow"
The minister held up his hands in
holy horror.
II can thwart Them. skip" declar-
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15

colin Keriin. as well AZ by D. J. Cails--
han. dir tor of the District War 6aw-
ings Stamp Committee. at wbose ~
quest the event was planned
Coming directly under the SUPER
vision OF Clarence V. schooley. super
intendent OF carriers. much of the sue
cess OF the competition is credited to
his untiring work anons the men The
almost monumental task of tabulatine
the daily returns has been IN the
hands OF Miss Lore @. Yeager, Of
schooley's Office. whose efficiency and
accuracy has contributed greatly TO
tte smooth conduct
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15

Operated ms City Guide.
The monte men," under the guise
OF being city guides. found many
victims and lured them to secluded
Z places where they were separated
from their money and other valu-
ables. This crooked work became
so extensive and almost in open de-
fiance of the law. that IL caused a
great scandal and was taken up by
William p Wood. formerly chief of
the United States Secret Service, who
in turn presented the matter to
the citizens committee. then being
formed. for the purpose of investi-
eating the old detective force. This
committee was headed by the late
John ~. Thompson. president of the
Metropolitan National Bank and the
Metropolitan Street Railway Com
pany. now part of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company. His
fellow committeeman included eX-
Mayor Matthew G. Emery. A. L. Bar
her. r. c. Fox. Thomas Somerviile,
Crosby S. Noyes, j. Z. Fitch, w. A.
Cook. T. A Rover, s. II. Kaufman.
John II. Msgruder. Thomas Bowling.
Henry D. Cooke. W. W. Burdette, J..
w. BoteIer, B. H. Warner. William
Shuster. A. E Bateman and Charles
stott
The former chief of the Secret
Service, known familiarly as Col"
Wood. gave an expose of the monte"
workers in department Of the
Washington Sunday Gazette, which
he edited for a number of years,
and Murphy and O'Leary were final
" arrested. tried and convicted
While in Jail, on appeal. these two
men sent for Wood and made certain
serious charges against the detec-
tive force. As the result the citi-
zens' committee Investigated the
plain clothes men," and some time
later the latter. too. were legislated
out OF office by Congress. The bill
also. authorized the District Com
missioners ito detail from time to
time. from the privates of the force,
such number of privates. not exceed
ing six. as may in their judgment
be necessary for special service in
the detection and prevention Of
crime" This act was approved by
the President, January 81. 1883.
Following the regeneration of the
defective force. and the railroad
ing" of Murphy and O'Leary the or
ganizatiOn of monte" workers COL
lspsed. About two years later
slick" Wallace introduced the pan
el game" here. After one successful
haul he and his two women accom-
plices were driven from the city.
Their victim. a prominent manu-
facturer. with much influence. re-
fused point blank to prosecute the
trio. and the three trick artists were
sent out of town and warned never
10 return under a penalty Of a long
term in the workhouse.
How Strangers Were FIeeeed.
The business agent or "COme-On"
of the monte men" was John SkIv-
ington. better known as skip" or
''Skiv." He was described as a con-
vincing conyersationalist with trick
eyes" one gloomy. the other merry.
He had several stations where he
posed as a guide. and caught the
unwary who came here to see the
sights of the Capital One of his
stations was on the north side of
Pennsylvania avenue. near the Peace
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15
CLUB NOTES.
cereIe De- rrecis..e. Rss,e.le..

- s''- WV 49, N toft1tsh
Mile. Window entertained the Ger
Gle at its current meeting. Follow
ing the hour OF general converss-
tion, the Marseillaise sung in chorus
opened the program. An impromptu
csuserie OF unusual interest on his
experiences in the tresches was
contributed by Lieut. Jean erie. For
the musical entertainment Nine.
Boury. Nine. Simpson and Mile.
Becker drew upon a varied roper
toire OF vocal and Instrumental
numbers. President Becker added
a predic in verse. written four
years ago. on the results OF the war
which was as prophetic in its way
as Frederick Palmer's Last Shot
Refreshments were served aud the
Cercle adjourned at q late hour.
The October meeting of the Wash
ington Readers Club was held In the
home Of the College women's Club.
lS22 street northwest. December 10.
with Mrs Edith Hamilton in charge
of the program: AN Illustrated DIS
cussion of the Voice" Mrs. Wiley o.
Ison read scholarly paper on The
Sympathetic Voice" in all It's phases
and it was much appreciated by her
representative audience. Miss LeonorA
A DeGrange's paper. The Eject
That Being in Tune with the Infinite
Has on the Voice" sent conviction TO
the hearts OF those present that her
life exemplified her precepts. for both
text and tone coloring evidenced the
divine touch.
Rev. Earle Wilfey read. by request.
Poe's Bells and charmed his hear
ers by the wonderful shsdings. OF
which his voice is capable. and which
had fun scope in this classic Mrs.
Gertrude Mustain. Miss DeGranFe.
Mr.. Ison and Miss Elizabeth Q. Will
son also gave selections.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15

on the streets after the day following.
Aw. that monte business Is gone
a-glimmering.' he said. Murphy and
/ his gang overdid 1t. learned a new
, Holy Joe trick while taking my last
dose Of medicine in the tight house
uaiil. and I'm going 10 be honest for
while and work the new thing"
He produced several soda water bot
Ties and some soft white pine wood.
In one OF the bottles was a full-rigged
ship. The trick, he explained. was IN
constructing the miniature vessel in
the bottle.
But 1 have better one than the
ships he said. s''Tm going to whittle
little wooden figures. put them in
pop bottles and peddle them TO
goody-good people
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15
LOOKING BACKWARD
BY CAPT. ]. WALTER MITCHELL

Crooks the thrseard class lourishd in Washington
from about 1873 1888 Led by such human foxes Charley
QLeay and John Murphy these shapers operated boldly the
In the period bold and bedizened with their male
included
high Eventually confidence
the leaders the nstgation OF
and police headquarters pub
c Investigated they lcgated of Office by
The Washington herald., 1918-12-15

''She has a most remarkable accent.
hasn't she?"
Yes. she can't get enough RS in
n month to eat oysters. CARTONS
MAGAZINE
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

ship.convoyed by viEilant destroyers,
is a 9hOnOgraph master record made
wirniH sound Of the guns of the great
IH,.... IN Picardy. which is being rush
e.. r.. g. . United States through u
be-. Iri, ,a,cd waters.
In il will be struck off duplicate
I--.p is that will be sent by the Ma
ton Forum into every town and viii
la-c - the United States. Tho mas
ter record will be deposited in the
national archives at Washington.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

Senator Shafroth asked prompt
passage on behalf OF the Banking
Committee for two bills, drawn by the
Comptroller OF the Currency. One
forbade knife-erasures on bank books
and extended the system Of bonding
employees. To minimize frauds, fig
ures to be erased, were TO be crossed
and left legible. Senator SmOOt OBJ
jected to having. primer lessons
given the bankers OF the country by
the Comptroller. The bill was defeat.
ed as a means Of educating the
Comptroller in his proper relations to
the national banking system A sec.
ond bill was referred back to the COM
mittee. 1t provided for a Federal
law. reinforcing State laws against
making false statements In securing
loans or credits.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24
Parental RESEMBLANCE.

Bette" said mother to her
naughty four-year-old daughter.
what's the reason you and your little
brother, Sammie. can't get along
without qUarrcIing?
Il don't know" was the reply. "un-
less it is because I take after you
and Sammie takes after papa"
The Washington times., 1918-05-24
BY W: V. BYARS.

Secretary OF War Newton y. Baker
appeared before the House Commit
tee on Military Affairs yesterday and
secured the adoption OF a paragraph
in the pending war bill carrying out
the theory that there should be no
limit set on the number OF men he
max call into battle against Ger
many. While it is understood that
II is not the purpose to go beyond
the age limits fixed by the draft law,
the new bill is expected to give the
President blanket power" TO call
out as many registered men as the
War Department can organize, train
equip, and use in the war.
When the bill is reported, its grand
total of appropriations may be ap-
parentIy reduced by providing in
part through other bills, for ord
nance, the total OF which the Secre-
tary OF War in his estimates, sub
mitted to the House this week. has
placed at over $1,000 OOO. 900. for next
year June 80, 191S-10J.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

The regular order in the Senate was
the bill for educating manned vet,
Grams, discharged after service in Eu-
rope, as no longer fit for war. Tne
original idea OF the bill was compuI-
sorry education for them on the theory
that otherwise they might become "a
charge on the public" This theory
has been almost eliminated. as the
only compulsion to be used under
the pill is through stoppage Of their
money allowance II they are found
refractory as pupils. This Is certainly
pusillanimOus. 1t is not an American
method Of dealing with Americans
who have made sacrifices for liberty.
1t is not safe for democracy" The
bill was still under discussion at the
hour for adjournment.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24
Congress Did T2as Yesterday IT

The Limit OFF, on the Number Of Registered Men Be Equip
ped for Europe Secretary Bakers Amendments for the War
Bill Of the House Military Committee Another Answer to the
Psychological Offensive The House PrOhbifOuss Garry
Their Beer and Wine Ulmatum Against the Administration Six
Millions as the Price Of Presidential Proclamation - The
COuntry's Resources in Oil, Cas- and Coal.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

Before disposing OF the agricultural
bill, the House struck out the entire
section giving the Secretary Of Agri-
culture authority "to provide for ana
secure the voluntary mobilization OF
farm labor" The bill then passed and
the House took up one Of the most i'm
pOrtant bills OF the session-the leas-
ing bill for coal, oil, gas and phos-
phate lands. reported by Mr.. Ferris
for the Committee on Public Lands.
He opened the argument for it on me
lines Of the report OF his committee
and it was discussed until adjourn
ment. 1t has obvious merlra above
existing laws, but it makes e; pos
sible to dispose Of these immensely
valuable franchises as leases" be-
yonu the life OF the present genera
tion.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

the agricultural appropriation bill''
as reported from the Committed OF the
Whole, with the Randall amendment.
On an attempt to get rid OF this
amendment. the Administration forces.
who do not make prohibition para
mount, were defeated finally by a vote
of 1TS to 137 in favor Of the amend
ment. Under it, the President, in order
to use an appropriation OF S6.1OO, 900
for increasing food production must
issue a proclamation-as he has al
ready been empowered to do-forbid-
ding the use of foOdstuffs and fruits
in the production Of fermented or
vinous beverages-that is, OF wine
and beer. As this is aimed directly
at the President, II is not likely that
it will pass the Senate. though It is
certain to be debated there for all
anti-Administratlonl leaders think they
can make 1t worth.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24
PERSHING VOICE, CANNED,
TO AID WAR CAUSE HERE

NEW YORK, May 2I-The voice
OF General PershinE soon will be heard
throughout the land in an appeal to
the American people to back up the
army and the war.
Deep in the hold OF an unnamed
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

The Connecticut Council OF De
fsnse" wants to send 5000. 900 men to
Europe not all from Connecticut
Its memorial introduced by senator
Mclean. also demands conscription up
TO forty-hve years old
Tho last act Of the day a. the Cap
itol was the departure % the highest
ConEress,Phal authorities On hnanos.
Tor the white House 20 have ,psir
rltuds made ur on beginning Worb 80
once rn nee faN b.If
ray rsuF iasous taa aau SD aul
haTs wtn hsip - dstltsr geuF @aa-
AIa q taa kaiaaa
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

II the leader Of the imperlalIst
faction Of the Republican party ex-
poets the immediate realization of
the prophecies OF "Armageddon." he
has studied, he may congratulate
himself and his "For God sake. Hur-
ry," supporters that their efforts
have not been wasted. They have
attacked the Secretary OF War as a
"pacitst" in disguise. They have
done everything possible to discredit
him, when their sole "plan Of cam
paign" in the desperate game which
uses the terms OF world politics"
for control at home was to be more
extreme in words than II was thought
possible for any one to be in fact.
They have been raising their totals
of Americans to be called from crea-
tive work for America to European
trenches, from a million to two,
three, five, six millions. They have
discussed in doing so. this or that
boundary in the Balkans or in Asia,
which is to be readjusted to meet
their views, by American armies and
aeroplane fleets, while at the same
time, they continue the charge OF
.unpreparedness" because fleets Of
our aeroplanes are not yet flying
over the Eastern hemisphere.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

In the record time OF twelve min
utes the Senate discussed and passed
the Military Academy appropriation
bill, with a total Of S2.SS9. 900. 1t
West Pointers will be protected
from proht@rs by having uniforms
supplied them at cost by the Govern
ment
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

Senator Overman submitted a let
ter on "Short-line Railroads" from
John Barton Payne, OF Director Cen
eral McAdoo's division OF law. 1t
suggested very plainly that II short
line railroads know what is good for
them they will not insist on being
possessed and controlled. 1t recon-
mended as best for them a fair di-
vision OF joint rates. action by State
commissions for their beneht and an
adequate supply OF cars. furnished
them on application to the director
general.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

II we pass the line beyond which It
may be impossible to stop, or to turn
back from "Armagcddon," this, as the
last OF the ArmaGeddon prophecies.
may be pertinent for consideration by
those who may believe that they un-
derstand prophecies well enough to
be justified in sacrificing millions Of
Americans who are not expert in
prophecy, to their interpretations:
And | saw coming out Of the
mouth Of the dragon and out Of the
mouth Of the beast. and out OF the
mouth OF the false prophet, three un-
clean spirits as it were or frogs: for
they are spirits OF demons. working
signs. which go forth unto the kings
Of the whole world, to gather them
together unto the war OF the great
day OF God, the Almighty
And they gathered them together in
the place which is called in Hebrew
Har-Mageddon."
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

Senator Gary's bill for Federal
control Of Congressional elections
went over" He exposed political
rottenness in Rhode Island elections,
and Senator Townsend suggested that
the worst frauds practiced were in
primary elections. II the discussion
goes much further it will be a ques-
tiOn OF the limits imposed by the new
"sedition" bill. The bill will not pass.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

Under a resolution introduced by
Senator Cummins, the director general
progress in contracts for control and
on all details OF interest to the Sen
ate Committee on Interstate Com
merce.
The Washington times., 1918-05-24

II this is the so-called "psycholOEi-
cal offensive" or. in other words,
bluffing and bullying the Secretary
OF War because % the suspicion that
he would sacrifice no more OF his
countEymen in Europe than he could
help, they have their answer now,
when they have the limit on" the
number who may be sacrificed in such
war as a Republican leader in the
Senate demanded this week-a war
not to secure peace and disarma-
ment, not even TO say that the people
OF Germany or Of Austria shall change
their form OF government and de
throne their reigninE families under
our dictation. but a war OF conquest
for the subjuGation OF the German
people themselves.