davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1919-02-08
The New Polish Assembly.

The success Of the party headed by
Premier IGNACE PApEREwsKI In the
recent Polish election has been a..
cepted by patriotic Poles here as an
indication of a desire OF the Polish
people to bring about quick and sat
isfactory settlement Of their political
differences. The Government party,
which is made up Of coalition OF
Premier PApEBEwsKI's supporters and
the friends Of General PILsUDsKI, the
military commander, will apparently
have a good working majority in the
new Constituent Assembly.
The intention was evidently to OBJ
tain an expression from all the diff
ferent elements Of the population. as
there we're twenty-one nomination
lists prepared under the system of n
proportional representation of all tho
different political parties and various
local factions. There was IN I'M
usually large vote for a first election,
the results showing the choice of
more than three fourths of all
those eligible TO vote. AS WAS the
The sun., 1919-02-08
COpper's Cut for Business.

Copper producers seeking to find
market in which they could sell their
product cut prices deeply-and they
found 1t. For the first time in nearly
three months there was immediate
buying. At last the hundreds Of in
dustries and trades which can always
use copper bought on a normal basis
will 30 ahead and do business. At
last the copper business itself looks
better because any industry doing
nothing at all, rs the copper industry
was Is a sick business.
This is what THE SuN said, right
after the armistice, must be done by
the producers not only of copper, but
of steel. lumber and all basic mate.
rails required in general industry.
Whether 1t IS copper or steel, wheat
or wool. 1t Is economic lunacy to ex-
pect to be able to sell. by whatever
device. a vast overabundance at fam
inc prices.
The building trades. the railroads.
the telegraph and telephone lines, the
public utilities, the manufacturers Of
machinery. have all wanted TO buy
steel and copper and other materials
so that they could start up peace bust
ness But to do peace business they
must operate on normal basis. They
cannot buy on the abnormal basis Of
war when they cannot sell on the
abnormal basis OF war. Except for
temporary and emergency work, they
waited, they had to wait, until pro-
ducers Of basic materials were will
ing to find market on the way down
10 the consumer.
In the last three months not much
uf anything else has, been the matter
with normal industry and business
not much of anything but waiting for
market where industry could supply
its needs at prices which would per-
nit it to do business and live. When
the producers Of all basic materials
are determined, like the producers Of
copper, to make market for consum-
crs the industry and business of this
country will begin to grow again to
the dimensions almost OF war indus.
try and business. Set all the wheels
aturnlng.
The sun., 1919-02-08
One ENCOURAGING Thing About tho
Strike in Seattle.

In the situation created by the gen.
eral strike in Seattle there is one ele-
ment Of comfort and hope. 1t is the
prompt recognition by the State and
municipal authorities Of their respon.
siblllty to maintain public order.
Regardless Of the origin of the trou-
bic, the duty of the authorities Is
clear. They must maintain order. This
they have undertaken to no. Mayor
HANSON has guaranteed to preserve
the peace ana protect law abiding
citizens in their occupations. The
public utilities will be operated and
food will be supplied regardless of
the strikers.
The authorities rejected the impu-
dent proposal Of the strikers that the
men who have quit work shall form
an unofficial city watch; the Mayor
has served notice that he will swear in
as many policemen as may be needed
to guard the property and lives of the
citizens; the Governor has called on
the United States for help, and the
War Department has sent troops to
the disturbed district. City, State
and Federal governments have begun
we'll, and If they continue in the same
way men who nre willing to work will
be protected in their Jobs, and men
who do not want to work for the pay
offered will look out for themselves.
A general strike with the strikers
held to obedience to the law and the
authorities protecting the citizens gen.
orally may cause Inconvenience, even
hardship, but II will not create terror.
The sun., 1919-02-08
The Hunt for Revolutionists.

Senator OvERMAN has decided to
postpone the judiciary Committee in
quiry into imported and domestic rev.
dictionary agitation in the United
States until a general plan of pro-
cedure has been adopted.
His decision is wise.
The resolution authorizing the in
vestigntion is so broad that investi-
CATION under Its terms might proceed
forever.
1t might cover examination Of the
immigration Service, which is sup
posed to keep out enemies of the ma
ton. or TO deport them If they slip
past its inspectors.
1t might cover scrutiny Of the law
enforcing practices of communities
which. by refusing to punish their per-
petrators. informally license acts Of
violence committed by mobs.
1t might explore the purposes OF
politicians who cater to lawlessness,
and the effect produced by their wild
utterances.
1t might include the interrogation
Of public officers who permit viola.
lions Of certain laws because they
think u considerable number of the
electors do not like those laws.
1t might Justify Interrogation OF
the numerous persons who touch q
match to social bonfires Just to see
the blaze.
Should the Overman committee de.
eide to 60 exclusively into all these
matters-and even the list given here
merely touches the surface of the
subject--a half dozen revolutions
might occur before its report was
written, and that document would be
worthless.
At present the important things to
find out seem to be whether alien
revolutionists or their agents are &C,
tually making trouble here, and in
what degree conditions are better in
communities where the law il en-.
forced impartially than they are In
communities where 1t is enforced
loosely or not enforced at all.
The sun., 1919-02-08
Is Apple Pie Unconstitutional?

TO THE EpIron OF The sUE-Sir: Your
correspondent william II. Woodruff
opens up most interesting possibilities
In respect to secret violations of the
Constitution by means Of frozen cider"
A friend OF mine. very skilled
chemist. has made the suggestion that
II Is possible TO take a piece OF apple
pie, charge It heavily with sugar. lay
II away for a few months in a re-
frigerator at a temperature Of say 80
degrees Fahrenheit. thon bring x forth.
warm Il up a little, when It 10 ready
for the hired mani he sees II first.
Could any 1urisconsult prove TO any
jury. grand or otherwise. that eating
apple pie Ia unconstitutional?
How would We go about expressing
apple pie shops with a side entrance7
BrRrRAM NJ. TATE.
NEW YORK. February Z.
The sun., 1919-02-08
TRADE BRIEFS.

The British Government has decided TO
retain the present organization for the sale
OF national war bonds and war savings
certificates as = permanent part OF tho ma
;!onaI machinery.
Tobacco growing at So degrees north Iati-
tude would seem an !mpossibillty in Amer
lea. but In the odense district OF Dem
mark. which lies between So and &c de-
grees. the cultivation Of tobacco has been
,akcn UP by many farmers since the war.
There Is only one meat packing estab-
l!shment in Venezuela. This Is located in
Puerto Cabsllo and owned by the Vens-
fuelan Meat and Products Syndicate, q
British corporation. II operates under .
concession from the Venezuelan Govern
ment. giving It exclusive right to prepare
and export frozen meat for period Of
fifteen yesrs dated from 1907.
The first Rotary Club in South America
wsS founded .. Mon:ev!ceo N The yea.
1918. The club Is afalisted with the In
ternAtional Association of Rotary Clubs Of
Chicago and 10 conducted like similar
American institutions.
Arrangements have been practically COM
pleted by the British Government for the
purchase Of this seasons wool clip OF New
Zealand and tho valuation has begun,
with the result that the clip is found SUI
perior to that OF last year and somewhat
above normal.
Consul A. f. Carleton reports that ths
exports OF tea from Sunstra during June
1918. amounted to S8747s5 pounds. against
i5.0ss pounds In juno, 1917. while tho ship
ments from January TO the end Of June
1915. totailsi 10 AIS. 73a pounds. as COM
pared with 1,o63.2o7 pounds for tho first
half OF 1917.
been nourishing sine. the war. partly be
cause OF difficult importation from Holland.
The DNhnfcdt Company. florists and seed
growers. OF Odense. Denmark. made a
pront in their last fiscal year of 90 per
cent. on their s643 900 capital stock.
The italian Central Commission for IIar-
bors. Coasts and Lighthouses has given its
approval TO the proposed plans for en-
larging the port OF SpeIia. The landing
stages are to be increased by 2,4T0 meters
and tho harbor basin opposite excavated
to a depth OF eight meters.
Arabian skins coming into the world
markets through Egypt and the Sudan
originate exclusively In Jedda and places
in the vicinity of Mecca. They embrace
cattle hides. sheep skins, goat skins and
camel hides, and are generally dry sailed.
Arabian hides are limited in quantity: the
quality. however. Is excellent.
The total value of tho mineral produce
tion in Canada during 1918 was not less
than $500. 900, 900. Tho total value in 1917
was $3.50, 64s.s2o.
The sun., 1919-02-08

case in the elections in Germany. the
women exercised their right to the
franchise to a far greater extent than
was expected. There was apparently
no discrimination against the Jews,
as they are reported to have elected
many Of their candidates.
The vote Of tho Socialist party was
reported as comparatively small. This
party Is made up largely OF the ex-
treme or radical adherents Of Social.
ism; and the explanation Of their ina
billy to secure a larger vote Ia to be
found in the fear the people have
Of the encroachments Of Bolshevism.
They have carried on vigorous fight
against the spread OF the propaganda
westward from Moscow. Another In
teresting feature is the considerable
representation secured by the Jewish
voters. This may prove the conten-
ton which Premier PADEREwsKI has
made that the charges Of Jewish OPP
preston In Poland were circulated
largely for political purposes, first by
the Russians and afterwad by the
Germans, and that "the Jews of Polish
birth and origin are as one with us
to-day in our demand for strong
and free Poland, as they have been
always"
The Poles will find themselves I'M
der the representation Of an Assem-
bly, as at present constituted in much
better position to come to definite
understanding with the Allied coun-
ell upon the question Of territorial
boundaries. They and the Czecho-
Slovaks have ablded by the action of
the Paris Conference in awaiting a
final decision upon the troublesome
Teschen question. The most difficult
matter for adjustment Is really not
regarding the frontier Limitation on
the south and west. but regarding
the demands Of the Poles for an outlet
upon the Baltic. Even this there is
now reason to believe may be eventu-
ally arranged to their satisfaction.
The sun., 1919-02-08
LUCKY GARTER SNAKES.
In Klamath Falls, Oregon, 1t Is 4
Crime to Kill Them.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Out
OF the mass OF fiction tinctured with fact
that comes to a geological society Is ono
story about snakes all the way from ore
gon that Is refreshing. II Is from kla-
math county. region OF rivers. marshes,
lakes and Modoc Indian legends and
history.
At Klamath Falls, on the Link River,
there Is a widely celebrated superabun-
dance Of garter snakes. variety Eutenia
elegans, probably. and they are % thick
that they lie summing themselves In balls
and punches. The Oregonians OF that To-
cslity, having acquired better knowledge
Of reptiles than most North Americans,
take pride IN their collection and To-
cal ordinance protects these harmless
and graceful little creatures from mans
ruthless cruelty.
Tho story goes that recently a New
York travelling salesman was strollng
into the park where the garter snakes
congregate. and maddened by seeing so
many more than he ever had seen before,
"at his worst" seized q club and started
In to cxterminate them. A policeman
grabbed him and took him before the
local magistrate.
The serpent slayer had no defence. SO
the magistrate warned him and let him
off with IS nne. The stranger paid
but. addressing the court. said
your Honor, am not looking to get
into contempt OF court. but I am hanged
II this Is not the only place in the U. S
A. that you could get fined 81 for killing
snakes"
I forget IS Oregon a prohibition State
ALLEN 8. WILLIAMS,
Director Reptile Study Society OF
America.
new York February 7.
The sun., 1919-02-08
February Q Misflt for the Moon.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir: In
reply 10 a question about February l,av-
Ing but three changes of the moon in
1912: the average lunar month being
about Twenty-Five and a half days, Feb
ruary will always have only three
changes when the last change in Jam
AIRY comes within day and half OF
the end OF the month. which should he
roughly about one-fTth OF the Feb
ruaries having twenty-eight days
A twenty-nine day February with only
three phases would be much more I'M
usual. Perhaps some ono who has &C
cess to file of almanacs can tell us
how many such Februaries have oc-
CURED In the last hundred years,
WASHINGTON, February I. X. Il. F.,
The sun., 1919-02-08
DemOcracy's Faith.

Scene: Tho oyster bar IN a cafe Per.
sons: An Intelligent looking. wei! dressed
customer and the chef
Tho Customer. taking sip OF water
Eddie. what's that?
The Che.-Water. Mr.. Perkins. What
does 4: taste IKE?
The CustomeI-It would taste better II
II wasn't hot.
The Chef. cracking piece Q, ice
You'll have TO &c. used TO Il now. is all
you'n get In = lizzie while.
The Customer-Oh. that's a soap oub-
Die.
The Chsf-It Il. Ell? Well. who is going
to prick IT.
The Customer-why, Wilson. of course.
He'll veto prohibition Just as soon as he
gets home. You see II he doesn't.
The Chef-Well. II he does he'll have
another look IN.
The customer--He won't have a look in
anyway. bu: he'll veto prohibition.
The sun., 1919-02-08
A SIMPLIFIED CALENDAR.
How Would the Superstitlous Regard
Year OF Thirteen Monthsl

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir.
ask earnest attention to "a Simplified
Calendar brought to public notice by
Mr. G. w. Bennett OF Coldwater. Mich,
member OF the American Association
Cor the Advancement: OF Science, n bill
TO legalize which was introduced in
Congress April l6. 1918. by J. II. C.
Smith. This Is the BILL
Section /. That beginning with the
year 1920 each year shall have thirteen
months OF four weeks. or twenty eight
days each. tho added month TO be called
Solstice and to follow June.
Section 2. That Monday shall be tho
frst day Of the week and the lat. sth,
18th and ?2d days OF every month: the
ton in number. making Sunday the sew
enth day OF the week and the eth. iith
2lst and 2Sth days OF every month.
Section 6. TIA. The a.- following tAe
last day OF December. 1919, and the last
day OF December In each subsequent year
shall be called New Year Day. II shall
be a legal holiday. the frat day OF the
following year. but not a part OF January.
Section 4. That in the year 1890 and
every fourth year thereafter shall be an
extra day called Leap Day. TO DO placed
DelWteu juno anu So4SNlCt. OUT not TO De
part OF either month: Provided. That
there shall be no Leap Day in tho last
year OF any century that is not divisible
by four hundred
We now have twelve months of vary
ing lengths, with continual changes Of
the days of the week as compared with
the days Of the month. and We always
have 10 consult calendar to learn on
what day a future event will occur.
1t would avoid much confusion n all
months were tho same, for the reason
that salaries. rents. wages and many
other things are counted by the month
The 'Smpified Calendar" would
make Sunday tho day OF rest for all /:
at present the Jews and Adventsts
observe Saturday as the seventh and
Sabbath day. while Christians observe
Sunday. VETERAN.
NEW YORK, February T.
The sun., 1919-02-08
FLIER FONCK NOW CAPTAIN.
French Ace HonOred on Eve of
Trip to United states,

PARIS. Feb. Rene Fonct. the lead
Ing French aviator, was notified to-day
Of his promotion from the rank Of Lieu
tenant to that Of Captain. He was the
guest Of honor at luncheon to-day
before his departure for the United
States tomorrow on the steamship La
Touraine
American Ambassador Sharp. who
presided. paid tribute TO the great French
ace, saying:
Il would not be a bit surprised to
learn that Capt. Fonck. after receiving
great welcome in the United States.
WAS returning to France by airplane"
The sun., 1919-02-08
THE MILITARY SALUTE.
Reasons Of Discipline Back Of an Old
Army Regulation.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str: The
other day noticed In THE SUN letter
which stated the case of an enlisted
man who, having failed to salute an
officer, was called down by a provost
guard In the execution Of his duty. The
writer. Up. w. H." seemed to resent
tho fact that the soldier was repri-
manded. and dubs the action OF the
provost guard as unnecessary" ana
savoring Of "bulldozing."
To me as an infantry ofiicer who has
Just returned to this country after
seven months active service at the
front the lack Of courtesy OF enlisted
men toward officers is particularly
noticeable. The other day. for example,
I passed fifteen soldiers on upper
broadway, only one OF whom saluted. 1t
was not question Of failing to see
me every one Of the men saw me, but
deliberately turned his head away when
within saluting distance.
Surely any one can see that such
behavior is not only unmilitary but
shows that the men are not playing
the game" without discipline an army
is a useless affair, and the simple act
Of saluting a superior officer 10 not only
an act Of courtesy common to all
armies but also is the product Of disci-
pline and shows the mans efficiency
as q soldier. for II he Is observing OF
the small things you may be sure no
can be trusted in the big ones.
There 10 nothing degrading In salut-
Ing. On the contrary 1t 10 privilege
enjoyed only by members of the pro
fession Of arms-the profession OF Ma
poleon, Wellington. Grant and Lee"
and Is n sign of mutual recognition be-
tween the members Of the great brother
hood of lighting men. The humblest
private can thus claim instant recoghi-
ton from the greatest General in the
land--yes. even from the President
himself.
The fact that a soldier Is with lady
does not entitle him deliberately to is-
more army regulations and with head
averted SLOUGH by his superiors. In
deed. II should make him all the more
anxious to conform to military CUSTOM
while the lady herself can often help
in this matter by urging her escort to
be moro observant Of the time honoreo
courtesies Of the army.
NEW YonK, February Z. c. NJ. +.
The sun., 1919-02-08
Of brains, energy, enthusiasm and
loyalty to get out Of a vast organiza-
tion the best that Is in II.

Of brains, energy, enthusiasm and
loyalty to get out Of vast organiza-
ton the best that Is in 1t.
What Government organization,
railway, telegraph, telephone. post Of.
fee, custom house, or other depart
ment, ever delivers the goods Of hat
third essential class to any worth
while degree?
To get the high speed, the smooth
running, the top results of efficiency
there must be the individual interest
and zeal Of personal ownership, the
individual response to personal obliga-
tion the Individual devotion to per-
sonal ideals. This, as Mr.. STUART
says, means handing back the rail-
roads to those who own them, who
know them, who love to work ut their
job, who are glad to spend the last
ounce of themselves in making 1t a
good Job.
But. with the hundreds Of millions
of dollars Of operating expenses which
the Government has piled and is pill
ing upon the roads, with the billions
Of dollars which must go as capital
into the equipment, extension and bet
terment Of the roads, handing them
back without any financial help would
pile up wreck Of the greater part
of the whole national transportation
system. killing the industry and the
business Of the country and leaving
the American people in an economic
chaos scarcely better than Russia's.
Government operation or private
operation, there must be provided CO.
lossal capital. AS matters now stand
the Government must not merely pro-
vide that capital 1t must put up hun
dreds of millions OF dollars year
to cover its operating losses growing
worse and worse every day. Right or
wrong In going into the railway bust
ness, the Government Is In. Right or
wrong in mixing Government finance
with private finance, the Government
is doing it. What, then. is the next
step logically and practically?
II the Government will lend the
railroads money to operate themselves
the Government will get back its
money. 1t will cut off, the instant 1t
returns the roads to their owners. the
prodigious losses which must now be
made up out Of the United States
Treasury. The Government will be
rid Of its white elephant. The rail
way owners will have their properties.
They will command the money they
need to put into them. They can
operate them successfully and serve
the public satisfactorily.
In Mr.. STCARrs plan, OF course,
are details as to rates, powers, con-
solicitations. protection of the public
and similar items. But it IS not nee
essary here 70 do more than show that
his vision of the fundamentals, which
escape alike the Garretsons of the
brotherhoods and the organs Of poll
tics. is as clear as sunshine; his dag.
nosis Of the disease Is simplicity It.
self; his remedy not only is sane
but Is practical.
The sun., 1919-02-08

Supulating that 1t desires men "of
good physique and accustomed to
discipline and capable Of self-restraint
under all conditions the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company advertises for
ex-soldiers to fill the ranks Of it's
platform courtesy squad. All rapid
transit travelling New Workers. are
acquainted with this organization and
can we'll appreciate the company
endeavor to get discharged soldiers
because Of their superior training in
handling difficult situations with COOL
headedness and discretion. But even
the splendidly trained soldier who
engages himself for this work may
quickly realize that there Is a corollary
to SHERMAN's proposition about war.
The sun., 1919-02-08
DouGhnut Boys.

I wondered why tho infantry.
Prime favorites OF fame,
wers designated doughboys. for
It seemed . misnt name.
Those gallant soldiers. hard as nails.
Who vsnquished every foe.
Suggested no such pliable
And spineiess thing as dough,
But when I happened TO behold
Those fighters long and lean
AnnIhilating doughnuts In
A cosey new canteen,
Brown rinEa OF crispy sweetness OF
The kind that never clogs.
I knew their title was IN full
U. 8. A. doushnut boys,
NINA IIrIHs.
The sun., 1919-02-08
Cornerstones OF Fortune.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir. Ry
means of Thrift Stamps and War Saw
lngs Stamps many thousands OF chill
dren. and grownups too, are saving
money which they never before sue
ceeded in saving.
one girl of fourteen told me she had
filed two books with forty OF the War
Stamps valued at nearly 1900 without
any trouble. although she had never be-
fore saved anything she also said she
hoped TO do much better In this year
OF 1919.
These stamps are a remarkably good
investment for all concerned
JOHN T.. BROWNING.
EpaEwArER, ~. j.. February :.
The sun., 1919-02-08
The Pessimist.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir:
have just received nice blotter from a
Arm with whom we do business. On the
reverse side appears this message OF
good fellowship:
GLOW pleased We are TO see our old
friends. how nice It Is to shake hands
with them. No matter how business
presses. we have always time to greet
them"
1t made mo feel good at frst, be-
came positively dreamy.
Then came the disquieting reflection.
"They mean business" They are nice
people and they do greet us plea sanity
But II we lost our business and could
not place orders with them? No.
they would be too busy. Money does
not create friendshlp--it kills Il. You
know It's true.
THE OFFICE PHILOSOPHER.
NEW YORK, February 7.