davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1918-02-10
Congress and the War.

In the matter Of Congress and its in
terest in war activities progress is re-
ported. That is to say, discussion,
formal and informal, is going on, and
out of it good results are expected to
issue. The speeches in the Senate and
in the House are supplemented by con-
versations in cloakrooms and elsewhere,
and in both ways valuable light is being
thrown on the general situation. Tho
men on Capitol Hill who are to vote on
what is proposed-are to choose between
measures and methods for speeding up
war preparations-are coming into pos
session of much information necessary
to an intelligent and beneficial dis
charge Of their duty.
The case stands thus: The critics of
the War Department-notably Senators
Chamberlain, Hitchcock and Wadsworth
ARE charged with overstating depart
mental war conditions. They are told
that not only has the department not
ceased functi6ning, but that it is still
performing, in the best manner, much
important work right along.
The reply of these critics is that they
stand justified in the request-practi-
cally from the White House-for new
war powers for the President; that he
himself realizes the necessity of what
they have been advocating, and is an1-
ious to obtain it and put it into opera
ton.
They add, however, that the President
ID overstating his case; that he is ask
ing too much of Congress; that with
much less he could accomplish all that
the occasion calls for.
Well, why is there not here a fine
basis for compromised Each side
charging overstatement on the other
might restate its case in the light of the
ooher's overstatement. They should do
that. The War Department has not
ceased to function; and yet that depart
ment, with the others, could function the
DCSbSI Luz SttC1l CIlaISCS dS INC uiASts1hSo
made have indicated as necessary.
There should be no pride Of opinion
affecting matters of such transcendent
moment. Everybody is learning, or
Should be trying to learn. Not only is
the war problem the biggest problem of
the kind ever presented to the American
people, but it is absolutely new in many
Of its strongest features. Soldiers,
sailors and civilians alike are facing a
situation puzzling in its uniaueness, but
not battling. It must be studied to be
handled; and in this case, as in other
cases, the man who "knows it all" is
probably the least qualified Of all to
teach.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
Mr., Tumulty's Decision.

Mr.. Tumulty decides to stay where he
is. The decision is probably wise. He
is familiar with the duties of his place,
and they have never been more i'm
portant to his chief than now. The
Presidents hands are full to overflow
ing; and the man who looks after the
secretarial end of business performs an
important part in the official household.
This decision is, of course, for the
present. 1t does not take Mr.. Tumulty
out of Jersey politics At later day,
and in other circumstances, he may offer
for some elective Office in the state. He
is young and capable. and just getting
into his political stride.
Or-who knowsi-in case Mr.. Wilson
secures third term, Mr.. Tumulty may
be advanced to a cabinet place. There
was gossip in the campaign Of 1916 that
in the event of Mr.. Wilson's reelection
Mr.. Tumulty would sit at the cabinet
table during the second term. But, con-
trary to expectation, Mr.. Wilson made
no changes in his advisers. He retained
at his side the men who had helped him
score.
Mr.. Tumulty's case suggests Col.
'Lamont's.s Before coming to Washing
ton, Col. Lamont had been active in
politics at home. It was in that way he
met Mr.. Cleveland; and they became
personal friends as well as political as
sociates. Upon being elected to the
presidency Mr.. Cleveland jocularly de-
clarcd to his friend that he would not
accept the Office unless he, the colonel,
would 60 along and help out. The
colonel agreed to help, and performed
valuable services as private secretary,
During Mr.. Cleveland's SECOND term, Col
Evening star., 1918-02-10
The Fourth Prediction.

Won Iindenburg's prediction Of the
capture of Paris by April would have
more effect upon the allied mind if the
German war program had not been
punctuated with failures. Scheduling Of
the war moves began at the outset of
the contest. The Germans were to be
in Paris in sixty days. They almost got
there, but not quite. Something stopped
them at the Marne. That was in 1914. Then
in 1915 they set out to blast their way
through the British line to Calais, which
was to be reached in a week. The Ca
nadians stemmed the tide and they are
still stemming it. In 1916 somebody
it is reputed to be the crown prince
started on an excursion toward Verdun,
four-day jaunt that was somehow
checked and after a few months. the
French assumed the offensive and re-
gained practically all the ground that
had been lost. In 1917 the admiralty
induced the kaiser to begin ruthless sub
marine warfare, which was to bring Eng
land to her knees in three months, with
six months as the outside limit Of Brit
ish endurance. That effort has lasted
more than q year, and England is still
standing upright. Now Paris by April
This is Won Hindenburg's first prophecy.
Perhaps he is better forecaster than
his predecessors. But there has been
too much elaborate preparation for the
grand assault to make it a surprise.
The allies are prepared themselves. They
have had months to make ready. They
are strengthened by new conner in the
field, whose forces in France are grow
ing weekly, with hundreds of thousands
more to come. They are really anxious
for the Germans to attack, for the Ger
mans advance in such a manner as to
incure the heaviest slaughter, and this
is a war Of attrition and the heaviest
loser in man power will the more quick
ly succumb. Paris by Aprili The out
come is awaited with no slackening of
confidence. ..,-
Evening star., 1918-02-10
Traction Remedies Necessary.

Senatorial speculation regarding the
means to be adopted to relieve the street
railway congestion in the District
reaches the conclusion that there must
be more cars or m5fe car lines or both.
This is quite an obvious deduction from
the conditions that now prevail. There
must be more cars on the existing lines,
with the tracks cleared for a more rapid
transit by the adoption of the skip-stop
plan and by other changes in the method
Of operation. There must be more de-
pendable service through the mainte-
nance Of higher standard of equipment
and personnel. But with all the addi-
Mons to the rolling stock that the lines
now laid out will permit there will
not be enough accommodations to han
de the great numbers Of people who
daily require transportation, numbers
that are increasing constantly and
fspidiy. More lines are imperatively
necessary and they can only be had suf-
feiently through legislation compelling
constructions.
Municipal ownership will not neces-
sarily solve the problem. Apart from
any financial consideration it does not
follow that the government or the Dis.
tsist can do better with the railway lines
n the way Of equipment and operation
fhan pxivate ownership. Municipal
swn.ssAip would h any casa be attended
Evening star., 1918-02-10
American Troops in Action.

Daily reports from our front in
France indicate that the American
troops have quickly caught on to the
game Of trench warfare and are prov
ing themselves equal to the responsible
ity of holding the line. At the first the
Germans took them by surprise in a
raid and captured and killed a number
Now the enemy is not having 50 easy
q time. Our troops have learned to 60
over the top themselves and are doing
so from time to time with good results
They have now means Of protection
from German raids in barrage fire and
machine gun work, and the German
trench force have evidently acquired a
profound respect for their new an
tagonists, for we no longer hear Of cap
lures by them. On the contrary, the
initiative appears to be chiefly on the
American side.
There can be no doubt Of the capacity
of the American soldier to take care of
himself quickly and adapt himself to
He is quick to learn, he is
handy with machines and weapons, and
he has plenty Of pluck. The American
soldiers, too, have more initiative than
the soldiers Of most other armies. The
splendid record written by the Cana
dams in their service in France is due
to the possession of these qualities
There is very little If. any difference
between Canadians and our own people
and no doubt exists in the minds of
military leaders that the troops Of the
United States will render as good &C.
count of themselves in every respect as
have the men from the north of the line
When the history of this war is written
it will be recorded that it was the Cana.
dams who saved the allied lines from
smash when the Germans were driving
toward Calais. The Americans may have
the honor Of doing as much in the big
push which the Germans are expected
to make this spring.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
POLITICS At HOME
Politics and Harmony.

The republican national committee
will meet in at. Louis this week. A
full attendance Is expected. A new
chairman is to be chosen. Mr.. Wilcox
Is not retiring because Of any faction
difficulties. He has accepted federal
appointment, and Its duties will take
up tho whole Of his time. He is exert
ing no pressure as to the succession.
Neither is the man at whose invitation
he became the chairman Of the commit
tee. Mr.. Hughes has announced hands
of 30 far as he is concerned.
The republican leaders are talking
harmony. It is good subject for them.
They seem advised at last that that is
the one thing above all others they need
in their business.
And they are right. For if ever
party men paid dearly for sacrificing
harmony they may be reckoned among
the number. In 1912 their party had
been continuously in clover, for sixteen
years Then factionism, which few
years before had set up, got out Of hand,
and led to disaster. The democracy
marched through the breach to victory,
and il still in possession. So, as fac
tionism was the cause Of defeat, fac
tionism must be banished If the party
is to emerge from helplessness to power
again.
Things generally are very different
now from what they were six years ago.
The country has fallen upon new times,
and the new times have brought new
issues and some new alignments. Bull
moosery is Of the past. Prohibition as
an issue is now divided between the two
old parties. and is heading toward COM
plete success with the assistance Of both.
The serious and aggressive unrest of
today is organizing under the name Of
socialism. It announces ambitious pur-
poses. 1t is effecting a national organi-
zation. 1t boasts Of a campaign fund
large enough to canvass the country
thoroughly: Among its leaders are somo
clever and experienced politicians.
There may be some boasting in the
deliverances of this new party; but
neither Of the old parties should fail to
keep close track Of such an organiza-
tion in times Of such peculiar moment
as the present. Socialism is the cry
elsewhere; and the effort in this country
is to link American socialism with Eu-
ropean socialism, and appeal for votes
on the claim and promise of an impend-
irg world uphcaval.
We are on the eve of momentous poll
tics, and the republicans must close
ranks if they arc to play an important
part in the game.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
Lament, a is well known, served q
Secretary Of War. !

Lamont, q is well known, served 81
Secretary Of War.
There was belief at the time that had
Mr.. Oeveland's second term been . sue
cess, ooi. Lamont would have returned
homo to play . prominent part in New
York politics. He was personally very
popular. He was likewise very capable.
He would have answered a. q uniAer In
the situation that had grown out Of the
bitter and protracted squabble between
the Clevelandites and the Hillites. Al
though Clevelandite, he had many
friends among the Hillitss, including
Mr.. Till himself.
But Mr.. Cleveland's second term was
catastrophe for all who shared in re-
sronsibility for it. The one exception
was Hoke Smith, who returned to Geor-
gia, and has since been, and now is, very
influential IN the politics Of his home
state. But Col. Lamont returned to New
York weighted with his share Of Cleve-
landism. He retired from politics, and
made fortune in the railway world as
a lieutenant of James j. Hill.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
Thrift Stamps as Valentines.

A plan has been proposed that this
year people who usually send valentines
10 their friends should send thrift
stamps instead. This is good idea. 1t
should be universally adopted A thrift
stamp sent in the mails next Thursday
VIII be a token of value that will lose
nothing Of its sentiment of remembrance
and affection because it can be pasted
on q card and turned in with others
for the purchase Of war saving GER
tifeate. A thrift stamp will certainly
be much more significant than an in
artistic bit Of colored printing that is,
after all, only bought message.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
rrom thu NsH York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
It did not need the sinking Of the Tus-
cania, with Its loss Of American life. to
unite tho country to make more deter
mined our purpose to press on" In that
purpose the country has been determined
from the day that a state Of war was de-
clared.
From the Philadelphia Press.
The country can at least be thankful
that that particular disaster was no
From the New York Times.
II may be added for the comfort of the
families Of soldiers destined for France
that. while the convoy system is not yet
perfected. the percentage Of losses, either
Of transports or Of merchantmen, Ia very
small 1929
yssa the. Hartford Ceufaat, 4.
With &hos sA1BAu uooal l-AisnGtessAasAnag1A
Evening star., 1918-02-10
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT Is DOING

train the men for the duties REQUIRED
Of them in the feet. Other depots have
at a few places outside in order to take
care OF such surplus a. IL necessary. :.
The ofacials Of the department are OF
the opinion that splendid work has
the naval training stations. and also
that praise is due to the officers and
men of the deets. who have trained
thousands Of men for deck and engi.
have been put into commission re-
Gently. It 10 the opinion Of officials
that the operations Of the feet would
have suffered materially had 1t not
been for this fne spirit Of cooperation
on the part Of the personnel adoat and
In addition to their many duties in
connection with the regular force of
midshipmen. the officers of the Naval
Academy have established a school for
800 reserve officers and are preparing
them for service afoat at the end of q
four-month period. Some of the lead
ing universities and schools of the
country, the officials state. are. now
ing reserve officers and enlisted men.
The organization of the various
classes Of the naval reserve force has
progressed most satisfactorily. and this
volunteers, has been drawn upon to
assist In manning the many new ves-
sells necessary to carry out the war
plans Of the department.
sells. including battleships. destroyers,
submarines: auxiliary cruisers, etc.. for
service in. the fleets and abroad have been
commissioned with full personnel.
Many new vessels for the regular Navy
have been authorized since the beginning
Of the war. and 1t will be necessary to
provide the personnel for these and for
other naval vessels now under construc-
ton. The authorized enlisted strength
of the Navy before the waf was $1,000
Of $4,000 men. In order to handle the
great number Of new vessels Of the Navy.
Congress will probably be asked at this
session to authorize the enlisted strength
Of the Navy at $4,000 men plus 10000
apprentice seamen for training. 1000 avia-
tion and 1000 men in trade schools. The
emergency strength authorized by Con-
gress at the beginning of the war was
10000 men. but, with the knowledge now
available Of the operations which win be
undertaken. naval authorities believe that
the emergency strength should be in
creased to 100000 men Of the regular
Navy. Should the Navy be required to
furnish personnel for the merchant ma
rine, the officials think that an addi-
tional $4,000 men would be necessary,
either regulars or reserves.
It fs a well known fact that It Is easier
to get men than It is to train officers. and
every effort is being made to speed up
be available at the earliest possible date
Because of the shortage Of officers
Congress last year authorized the reduc-
tion of the course at the Naval Academy
to three years. The officers feel that that
even more strenuous methods are neces-
sary at this time and recommendations
along this line will be made to Congress
by the officials.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
The New Voters in New York,

Inc newly made voters-the women
in the New York congressional districts
where special elections to FIJI vacancies
in the House will be held March S are
very much alive to the opportunity, and
preparing to go to the polls in force
election day. "Get out the voten is the
cry; and the leaders are sounding it
daily.
It has been announced that in one of
the districts the socialists will nominate
woman. No such announcement has
been made by. or for, either the demo.
Gratis or the republicans in any of the
districts. It is assumed that, as usual,
men will be nominees.
The subject, however, has been under
discussion, and the women have noticed
it. Mary Garrett Hay-so active in po-
litical matters irrcverent reporters refer
to her, to her amusement, as "Boss
Hay"-dea,s with it in this way:
Personally, believe that if a woman
is fitted by character and training for a
certain position she has as much right
to aspire to 1t as man has. We all be-
lieve this, but we do not believe that
just because woman has been enfran-
chised here, simply as women they
should seek and be given political office.
Not sex but ability and suitability
should be qualifications for Office. We
do not advise women to run for Office,
h11f fh0,ro tn c1D - IL
after deliberation women who will be
a credit to our sex. The woman suffrage
party is not backing any woman for
Office"
The returns from these districts will
be of much interest generally. All
three Of the parties are making play
for the new voters. The women are
bellies in their new field of activity, as
of course they have been in other fields.
Their favor is being sought industriously
by party managers. ;
Tan,many is exerting itself. 1t wants
results that will tally with the results
obtained in the mayoralty race. The
democratic majority in the House is un-
comfortably narrow, and the addition of
four votes will, if made, ease the feel
ings of Speaker Clark and of others.
Tammany will try to perform the serv-
ice.
Will the women, in appreciablc. num-
bers. help Tammany7 Will they make
difference between these national Of
fees and local officesf Tammany's rec
ord in municipal affairs makes no ap-
peal to women. In fact, when the en-
franchisement Of women in the state was
carried, the first question asked in po-
litical circles was as to what the effect
on Tammany would probably be. Would
not anti -Tammany local government now
result, and become both a sure and a
permanent things
But the first test comes in relation to
these congressional places. Not for four
years will the women have chance to
vote In q mayoralty contest. They must
now decide as to four national legisla.
tors, who as members Of the House will
be called to vote on war matters, on
many matters Of other concern, and on
some matters which may have bearing
on the complexion Of the next Congress-
and even on the next presidential cam.
paign.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
A Desire to Initiate.

Old Mistoh Groun' Hog,
He looked up in dc sky:
He saw de sun a-gleamin'
An he winked his weather eye.
He said to Mistoh Rabbit,
Dishere climates got dc habit,
So. it's back agin to dreamin'
An I'll meet you by an by"
Oh. Mistoh Groun' Hog. -
dis .mule has gotter 60
An we's 'bliged to move together
Th'oo de Ice an th'oo de snow.
But makes dis observationt
You has rot dc combination
Fob disposin' of do weather
Best OF any one knowl. - -.
Evening star., 1918-02-10
A Rescued Community.

A Rescued Community.
"Crimson Gulch isn't like the same
old place."
That's right" replied Bronco Bob.
Prohibition has made a difference.
There was time when it began to, look
like there wasn't goin' to be much to
this young metropolis but depot and a
saloon"
Evening star., 1918-02-10
FIFTY YEARS Ago In THE STAR

undertaking, for the custom o3the. sud-
scribers Is certain. and It 10 now &C.
curately known what percentage mus9l
be sSr eass
purchased at wholesale and sold TO
subscribers at cost, -expenee1 ana
small margin OF profit. which ae the
the associates in proportion to thsir
purchases" b.
Usurers throve in Washington dfty
years ago. owing to the inadeQuacy OK
the laws. and . movement
u,, which had for its general
purpose that which q few
LAVE. years ago resulted in the
enactment of the so-cailed loan snsfk
law was begun. Peculiarly. however, II
aimed at the repeal OF tho usury laws
In The Star of February 6. 1868. II the
following:
"afost business men assert that BY tho
.nactment of laws restricting the rate
of interest business is prostra1eo anu
enterprtse crippled, and think tnat eno
trade in money should be as free as
that in tea, sugar, flour, etc. Iney cIAln,
that the laws Of supply ana oemanS .n,
should govern the e. ra.cS s!csansed. The
subject is being considered IN sever.
Of the state legislatures ana mas. DeeA
brought to the attention OF ConsrSS
by leading business men in this Dis
ty,ct II has been suggested that so Tar
as this District Is concerned congress
should merely repeal all laws imposing
a penalty for charging higner faoe %
interest than per cent. Inis w1uar ,'s.r
Six per cent would still be considered
the standard, and the loaning OF money
at a higher rate regarded as olsreputs-
BILE, even IL no longer iilegai. inc au
yocates of a change desire the removal
Of all restrictions. so as to leave tho
traffic in money untrammeled BY any
enactments whatever, believing II VIII
result in good, and that business men
will be able to obtain temporary ac-
commodations on more favorable terms
than at present.
Half a century ago public sentiments
was beginning to form against prize
fighting. whic h
Sentiment Against then was = nous,,n-
ing in practaeAa1y
Prize Fighting. all parts Of the
country. In The Star Of February q
1853 IA an editorial on this subject N
follows:
,These brutal encounters known az
prize fights are now affairs OF almost
daily occurrence, but we are glao to
see that a reaction has commenced, ana
that in some of the states there arc
signs of a determination to put q stop
to the practice. 1t has received Q check
in California, as notice has been given
that all persons who in any way en-
courage or have to do with fistfc en-
counter for money will be indicted and.
IL caught, tried and punished. AZ sew
eral fights have taken place in New
Jersey, the Hudson county grand jury
have found indictments against the
principals engaged in fights in that
county since May last. The number OF
parties indicted is thirty-four. Those
and sam coilyer, who fought on the
27th of November last in Chester coun-
| ty, Pa. which fight was won by Collyer.
have both been Indicted by the authori.
| ties of the Keystone state and warrants
issued for their arrest. 1t would seem,
therefore. that both these noted pugilists
will have to give the above state a
| wide margin, for should they be caught
| they will no doubt have to suffer the
penalty Of the law"
Evening star., 1918-02-10

Though not lecturing much en- the
subject, Japan is undoubtedly q close
and intelligent student Of that interest
ing topic, "The markets Of the world. !"
Evening star., 1918-02-10

German agents have been discovered
where their presence was least suspected
by the average citizen. That is the kind
Of spot a competent plotter naturally
picks out.
Evening star., 1918-02-10

Confidence in T. RS recovery will not
be complete until he is on hand per-
Sonally to declare that he feels "bully.'
Any state of health and spirits that the
colonel cannot thus describe is sub
normal.
Evening star., 1918-02-10

Food experts are experimenting with
whale meat. The possibilities Of whale
culture do not seem to compare with
what can be done with a supply Of COM
mon hen eggs and an incubator.
Evening star., 1918-02-10

"German gold" is mentioned as an in
fiuence in Russia. A great deal Of the
currency employed by the kaiser was
counterfeit money.