davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
BY William H. Chamberlir

By William II. Chamberlin
Mr.. Ackernan spent the past winter
travelling all over Siberia, from Vladi-
vostok, in the extreme east, to Ekater-
inburg, the town near the Urais where
the Czar is supposed to have met his
squalid and picturesque, rich in nat
ural resources, but wrecked by civil
war and maladministration The ST.
berian currency is practically worth
less; the food supply, although abun-
dant in some places, is most unevenly
distributed; the country is literally
starving for want of clothing and other
manufactured articles. The transpor-
tation. system has become so congested
that, according to the authors account,
a trip on a Siberian train is quite
subway during rush hours, except that
the Russian conductor has an obliging
habit OF neglecting to take up fares.
AS for the mass of the people, their
attitude is expressed in the phrase:
"Nitchevo," which Mr.. Alderman trans
lates: II should worry" A succession
Of violent political upheavals has left
them stolid and Indifferent to every
thing except the pressing problem of
securing food and clothing.
Some Of the individual chapters in
the book are splendid stories in them
selves; stories of intrigue, mystery
and adventure. The author gives a
fascinating account of the homeric
achievements of the Czechs, who prac-
tically drove the Bolsheviki out of
Siberia singlehanded. He is unstinted
in his praise of these courageous, we'll
disciplined, democratic soldiers and
reproaches the Allies bitterly for not
coming more effectively to their aid.
Had they done so, in his opinion, the
Bolshevik regime in Russia might have
been overthrown in the fall of 1918.
Again his story of the last days of
the Car presents a detective problem
which would tax the ingenuity Of a
Sherlock Holmes. Mr.. Alderman feels
that it is still an open question whether
Nicholas was ever actually put to
death. 1t seems certain that he was
removed from Ekaterinburg by the
Bolsheviki when that town was men
aced by the Czechs; but whether he
was actually killed by them, whether
he is still in captivity, whether he was
rescued and spirited away by his
friends. is still matter Of doubt and
conjecture.
Unlike most Of the books that are
now being written about Russia, Mr.
Ackerman's work Is Informative rather
'thannconkxn8nxnia64uftonAk He4hyoWl
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28

a great deal of light on the various
changes in the Siberian government,
eliminating in the dictatorship of Ad-
miral Kolchak, on the organization and
work of the cooperative societies,
which are still keeping little breath
in the economic life of Russia and ST.
IBERIA, on the actual results of inter-
vention. In regard to the latter sub
ject he is frankly discouraged, feeling
that dssensions among the Allies pre-
vented them from sending help to the
equally pessimistic in his reflections on
the general political outlook for Rus
sia and Siberia. He feels that Bolshe-
vsm has proved a colossal failure
from every standpoint: but at the same
time he is distrustful of Kolchak and
Denikin, the leaders of the forces
operating against the Reds. He is of
the opinion that these men are cor
daily supported only by the most re-
dictionary elements and that they have
altogether failed to establish orderly
territories which they control. The
aggressive and imperialistic designs of
the Japanese in Eastern Siberia are
another obstacle to a just and peace
full settlement
Mr.. Ackerman feels that Bolshevism,
with its programme of violent revolu-
ton. constitutes a direct challenge and
menace to the peaceful and orderly
progress which is assured under the
league of nations. Throughout the
narrative he emphasizes this contrast;
and at the close of the book he ap-
pends the constitution of the league Of
nations and the constitution of the
Russian Soviet Republic. Between
these forces of conservation. and de-
struction he foresees prolonged and
bitter struggle. Whatever may be the
value of this forecast the authors
work, written temperately and without
partisan bias, and based upon full and
accurate observation, is valuable con-
tribution toward the solution of the
great Russian Enigma.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
By William l.. Mcpherson

By William L. Mcpherson
Field Marshal viscount French's
1914" was not intended to be q criti-
cal review of the campaigns in which
he commanded the British Expedition
ary Army. AS he himself puts it: "My
main object in writing this record is to
explain as clearly as possible to my
countrymen the line of thought which
was in my own mind, the objects l set
out to attain, and the reasons why
directed the troops as did and came
to the decisions at which | arrived at
each successive phase of the opera
tions." What the Field Marshal has
written is not objective history, but it
constitutes valuable material for his
tory;
What has stirred England most in
this volume Is the account Of French's
that after his own appointment as chief
OF the Expeditionary Army he went to
Kitchener and urged him to take the
post. But Kitchener said he intended to
go to Egypt. A few days later he was
made Secretary of State for War, a
position for which French thought him
less fitted than for command in the
field.
During the retreat to the rear be-
yond the Marne, the author SAYS. Kitch-
ener demanded that he should stay and
fight. This was Joffre's wish also on
August 20 and 30. French refused, say
ing that the British army needed time
to retit. Kitchener then went to Paris
in person, where French met him. The
Secretary of State for War twas
dressed in the uniform of a Field Mar
shall, and from the outset of his con-
versation assumed the air of a COM
mander in chief and announced his in
tention of taking the field and inspect
ing the troops"
The British Ambassador in Paris.
Lord BERTHE, who was present, objected
to this proposition and drew up a
telegram of protest to London. French
approved the telegram. Then Kitchen
er weakened. He asked for private
interview with French. In this the lat
ter said emphatically that he would
not tolerate any interference with his
command and authority so long as he
remained commander in chief in the
field. Kitchener then returned to Lon
don.
He could not resist the temptation,
however, to meddle in military move
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28

OF which the stories in this volume
are made. The author has eyidenfiv
determined to amuse, and has devised
fantastic plots and improbable sitna-
tlons that are sufficiently ridiculous
but somehow fall short of being nr'
roalously funny. Perhaps il is too
evident that he thinks them funny
There are occasional flashes of naive
humor and quaint talk, and the picture
OF negro village life rings true as far
as 1t goes, but all of the heart-warm-
ing qualities Of the Southern negro
are not revealed, e. LIT
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
Yes, We Always Blame the
Composing Room
The Meals Thew Writ.

Let's lunch with Iris Tree! In her
Poems" she offers this menu:
" The sly
Blue of a curling trout, the battened pride
" nam IN frills, complacent quails that lie
Resigned to death like heroes-July peas,
Expectant bottles foaming at the brink
white bread and honey OF the golden
A peach with velvet coat. some prawns in
pink,
A slice OF beef carved deftly, Stilton
cheese,
And cup where berries float and bubbles
wink.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
Negro Lore

MORE z. X. MEANS Published bv q
Putnams Sons. $50 pages
The simplicities of the Southern
'Q2l!aGe Aegrcea ara the material out
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
Hopeless Land
Ackerman Finds Russian
Factions All at Fault

TRAILING THE BoLSHDvIKI. BY Carl
w. Alderman. 308 pages. Published
BY Charles Scribner's Sons New York.
5000 net
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
About a Column

In a recent Sunday Tribune II. B.
suggested bringing the beds onto the
stage "in battalions." Has he been re-
minded that, as result of recent de-
mobilization, there are plenty of bat
talon commanders on the market look
ing for soft jobs? P.F.
Yes, We Always Blame the
Composing Room
In one of your tabloid reviews your
reviewer Cor was it the linotyper)
spoke of Richard Aldington's vers
libre. Many critics have found Aiding
tons poetry too free, but nobody yet
has accused it, as your department has,
of being book verse.
LOUIS UNTERMEYER.
1t this means twenty cents a line
the gentleman is cutting the union
rate; but perhaps your reviewer mere
ly wishes to convey the impression
that the poets sentiments do not come
from the heart. ELMER DAVIS.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
Marshal French Explains
British General Tells His Objects
in Early Years of the Great War

1914. BY Field Marshal viscount French
OF Yypres. With a preface by Marshal
Foch Houghton Mfflin Company. 372
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
Among Those Present
Essay

LAST AND FIRST. Being two essays:
Ihe New Spirit and Arthur Hugh
Glough BY John Addington Syrlonds
Puolishsd by N h. Brown. 1877 pages
Written in Symonds's own masterly
fashion, these two essays, one an anal
ysls of the emancipation of the intel
lect during the fourteenth, fifteenth
and sixteenth centuries, and the other
hearty commendation of Clough as
minor poet, are wall worth reading
and preserving.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28

MEXIcO UNDER cARRANzA. A LAW
YER'S INDICTMENT OF THE CROWN
ING INFAMY OF 400 YEARS OF MIS-
RULE BY Thomas e. Gibbon. Pub
lished by Doubleday. Page & Co.
A strongly anti-Carranza book. it
shows the necessity of United States
intervention in Mexico, according to
the authors genuine belief.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28
Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous
VICTORY OVER BLINDNESS. BY Sir
Arthur Pearson. Publishes by the
George H. Doran Company. EOS pages
Price $3.50
An intensely comprehensive and in
teresting account of the work being
done for the blind at st. Drnstan's,
England.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28

Philip Goodman writes that his
favorite topics are "Philology, Post
B Biblical Literature, Erotilepsy and
Pugilism."
New-York tribune., 1919-06-28

P. B. is right about the old books
they ought to be mentioned now and
then by the book reviewer I'll wager
that good many of the readers of
About A Column have been looking
through the autobiography this week,
because of P. BIS saying a good word
for Cellini. Why not mention one
old book every week? I'll suggest
Thoreau's Cape Cod for this week. If
l were going to Cape Cod this sum.
mer I'd read that book again. And
that's one reason why I'd like to 20 to
Cape Cod this summer. I guess III
read it again, anyway. H. H.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07
Cool Million Cash
In County Treasury
First OF Last June

There was a cool million dollars in
cash and a few thousands of dollars
more for good measure. in the treasury
OF Shelby county on the first day OF
June.
The exact amount, rs shown by the
report OF j, A. Heard. chairman, to the
county court, is 81, 09S. 1875 o..
1t may therefore safely be assumed
that Shelby county finances are in rath-
err good shape. and that there Is pos
sibly no imperative need that the coun.
ty tax rate should be increased over the
amount fixed last year, which was
1858.
Much OF the funds held in bank and
by the county trustee, comprises spe-
cial funds. held for sinking fund Of in
terest accounts, or for other special
accounts and cannot be expended ex-
cept for the purpose for which the tax
levy VAS made.
The funds over which the county
commissioners have control include bal.
ances in the road and turnpike fund,
Si37, GA, bridge fund, $50, 1863: and gem
eral county fund, appropriated for the
commission expenses, $50, 72S. These
are funds available for the remainder
OF the year exclusive of any additional
taxes that may be collected from any
sources.
There was a balance In the general
fund expended through the Chairman's
office, Of i92. 555.
The report shows a balance to the
credit Of the auditorium market house
building fund OF 1881 SOS, and a similar
balance to the credit OF the city and
county tuberculosis hospital Of $sl9s1,
II has been estima,eo ny some mem
bers Of the county court tax rate com =
mittce that there Is such a large bal.
ance In the bridge fund that there viii
1 he M npIn4EtfA ~ lntFptHu u,.-t-,
bridge tax this year. leaving the B.
cent levy to be applied To some other
fund. or to be dropped, this aiding in
keeping down this years tax rate.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07
PROPOSED ORDINANCE UP
FOR SECOND READING
TUESDAY, JULY
s, 1919.
IMPROVEMENT ORDINANCE NO, 37S
AN ORDINANCE

To provide for the Improvement of
Felix Avenue from the east curb line
of Barksdale Street to the west prop
erty line of South Cooper Street by
repairing and grading, draining, curb
ing and paving with tar macadam
doing all necessary work incidental
to such improvement. pursuant to
Chapter 341 Of tho Acts Of the Cen
eral Assembly Of the State of Ten
nessee for the year 1907, and as
amended by Chapter 1903 Of the Acts
OF the General Assembly of the State
of Tennessee for the year 1909, and as
the Acts of the General Assembly of
the State Of Tennessee for the year
1918, and as further amended by
Chapter 1855 of the Acts of the Cen
eral Assembly of the State Of Ten
nessee for the year 1919:
Whereas, the city engineer, pursu-
ant to the instructions Of the mayor
and the board Of commissioners, has
filed with the city clerk a report bear
ing date of June 26, 1919, in which 1t is
estimated that the total cost of the im-
provement win be approximately
twenty-three thousand four hundred
sixty nine and sixty-nine one-hun-
dredths (s33, A69 .69) dollars; therefore,
Section 1, Be ii ordained by the board
of commissioners of the city of Mem
phis, That Felix venue in the said
city of Memphis, from the east curb
line Of South Barksdale street on the
west. to the west curb line of South
Cooper street on the east, a distance
of two thousand two hundred feet
200 ft,). more or less, be improved
by repairing, grading, draining, curb
ing and paving with tar macadam
pavement on concrete foundation.
The street is to remain its present
width throughout.
Radius curb corners will be installed
at all street corners,
The existing drain boxes and culverts
shall be moved and be replaced by con-
crete drains or open concrete cutters.
The necessary inlets, culverts and sub
surface drainage shall be installed 10
provide proper drainage,
The existing sidewalks shall be re-
moved where necessary and made to
conform to plan OF street and the cost
OF such work shall be included in the
cost Of this Improvement.
An street line changes, such as re-
moving and replacing fences, sodding,
and be included In the cost of this inn
proVement.
The board Of commissioners reserve
the right, as provided by statute, to do
all or any part of said Improvement by
labor hired by the city of Memphis and
with materials purchased as other
municipal purchases are made.
All materials removed from the street
within the limits above mentioned shall
BE- the property Of The city, and no
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07
Budget Heavily Padded.

The city administrators budget estI-
mates included the item OF $3.50, 900 of
money borrowed on short term revenue
notes, and SIS, 900 %overdraft. The COM
mtttee report pointed out the fact that
these items had no place in the budget
estimate, as they represented moneys
spent during the first half of the year
In regular department expenditures,
pending the filing OF appropriations for
the various departments. Mr.. Pashby,
before the City club, admitted that the
committee report in that matter took
the correct view. The fact remains
that the item was included in the pub
lished city statements, which are what
the taxpayers of the city would have
had to rely upon as a correct state
ment Of the city's financial needs, IL
the tax rate committee had not pointed
out the fallacity OF such financial rea-
soning.
Auditors who have gone over the city
books for the past 10 years, invariably
have pointed out that the city is pro-
Fiding no sinking fund for the retire
ment Of its general liability bonds, The
tax rate committee did not call atten-
ton to this condition. feeling that It
was not properlNa part OF the report on
THIS years tax rate requirements. Mem
befs of the committee. however. in their
recommendation that a complete survey
OF the city finances be made, limited al
that condition and later when the
present controversy has been decided
one way OF the other, 1t is probable that
The general committee will make an ef-
fort to have such n survey made, either
at the city's expense or through funds
secured by private subscription or
through the Bureau of Municipal Re-
search.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07

and Main" The enthusiams Of the
audience in the handclapping which
again swept the house when later in
the act. the phrase was repeated
seemed 10 evince the popularity Of the
particular part Of the city in his search
Of the reading and show going public
for The cup hat cheers.
Whether leaking is occurring In the
big stocks Of whisky left over July / at
Charlottesville, St Louis, Paducah,
Cairo and other points. whether big
stocks thave been secreted between
Memphis and those points, or,
whether big stocks are .stached" in
Memphis only waiting until the fervor
OF the impetus given to the effort to
make things dry July !, has abated,
only the future can tell.
Certain, IL is, however, that the lover
OF his morning eve opener still can get
the stuff II he PAYS the price. Boot
.leggers claim that the price now around
yl2 a quart Is just . normal figure.
They point to the fact that SIC a quart
has been for months a price paid in
many other cities not favored by nature
with a broad stream like the Missis-
sippi and that patrons should not kick
at this figure when they are paying SIS
a quart in Texas and as high as SIS in
Birmingham, Nashville and other
Southern cities.
Even II II should soar above these
fabulous figures there seem to be indi-
cation that the supply will be forthcom-
ing 10 those who would pursue the now
weazened old god Bacehus to his last
resting place,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07
NOTICE TO BIDDERS,

SHELBY COUNTY. TENNESSEE.
SCHOOL BONDS.
Sealed bids will be received by the
undersigned'at the office Of the county
chairman In the courthouse in the city
Of Memphis. Tennessee, until IL o'clock
noon on Friday, July Is, 1919, for. the
purchase of the following bonds az
Shelby county. Tennessee;
Three hundred thousand dollars
$500 600 ,Oo) Of general liability coupon
bonds in the denomination Of one thou
sand collars each, authorized by chap
Ter 4bf, or the private acts of the GEN
eral assembly of the state of Tonnes
sec, Tor the year 1919, and further pur-
suant to n resolution of the qua rterly
county court of Shelby county. Ten
n~essee,. authorizing the issuance and
sale Of said bonds.
The bonds bear interest at the rate
o., I'VE per cent and are dated july /,
1919, and mature as follows:
bohds NOS. | to 100. inclusive. ten
years after date of issuance
n"nds Nos lei to 200, inclusive,
twenty years after date of issuance.
bonds Nos, 201 to 800, inclusive,
'nIrty years after date of issuance.
interest payable semiannlially. on
Inly ! and Jan. /. Both principal and
interest payable in lawful money of
VIC United States of America. in Mem
phls or IN New York city. at the on
ton Of the holder. x
n2nds may be registered as to priH-
''FW9, ohhly IN thc name Of the holder.
names n price less than mar and az
etucd interest to date of delivery, free
iftnll az charges, fees. brokerages etc
me county OF Shelby and The under.
slEned commission retain the right to
reject any and all bids.
haeh ola must be accompanied by
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07
PROPOSED ORDINANCE UP
FOR FINAL D
TUESDAY, JULY
8, 1919.
AN

To amend an ordinance passed on final
reading June 3, 1919, entitled AN
ordinance to provide for the closing
Of Love avenue, between the west
right OF way line of the Chicago, st.
Louis & New Orleans Railroad com
panY illinois Central Railroad com
pany, %lessee). and the west right of
way line of the Yazoo & Mississippi
Valley Railroad company, a distance
OF approximately Sl5.S3 1-3 feet, but
reserving to the city of Memphis an
easement twenty feet in width over
that part OF Love avenue hereby
closed for the purpose of construct
ing. maintaining and operating long
distance. high voltage and high ten
sion light, telephone and telegraph
wires"
Section ]. Be it ordained by the
board OF commissioners of the city OF
Memphis, That an ordinance passed on
final reading June 3, 1919, entitled An
ordinance to provide for the closing of
Love venue between the west right
of way line of the Chicago, st. Louis
& New orleans Railroad company III
linus Central Railroad company Qessee)
and the west right of way line of
the YaZoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad
company a distance OF approximately
Sl5,S3 Ia feet. but reserving to the city
of Memphis an easement twenty feet in
" iuNI ONNi 'ioh paw "a
hereby closed for the purpose OF con
structing, maintaining and operating
long distance, high voltage and high
tension light. telephone and telegraph
wires" be and the same Is hereby
amended in the following particulars:
(a) BY adding at the end of the cap
ton of said ordinance the following:
Excepting also from the portion OF
Love avenue to be closed fifty 600 feet
of said avenue lying Immediately north
OF the west fifty (50) feet Of lot AZ of
the Thomas Love subdivision,
OBJ BY inserting in section | OF said
ordinance just after the words eight
hundred. fifteen and eighty-three and
tenths (815.S3 1-3) feet n
just before the words provided, how
ever" the following: =,
Except the following portion Of said
Love avenue, beginning at the point OF
intersection OF the west line Of lot AZ
OF the Thomas Love subdivision with
the south line of Love avenue; runs
thence north to the north line OF Love
avenue; thence east with the north line
Of Love avenue fifty (50( feet; thence
south to the south line of Love ave-
nue.: thence west with the south line of
Love avenue fifty 600 feet to the point
Of beginning"
Sec. 2, BE 1t further ordained, That
this ordinance take effect from and
after its passage, the public welfare re-
curing It.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-07
GATHER FOR
VICTORY" MEETING

ATLANTIC CITY. July Thousands
Of members Of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order Of Tlks were here for
the opening OF the victory" nven
ton Of the grand lodge today. The
part the order played in the world
war is described in the annua report Of
the war relief commission, which will
be submitted to the convention Tues
day.
The commission is now devotlng much
money and energy in the cause Of dis
abled soldiers, pending their assimila-
ton into the government vocational
syestem. There are two candidates for
the post Of grand exalted ruler, Albert
T. BrOphy, of Brooklyn, and Frank l..
Rain, a district attorney OF F~airbury,
Neb.
The keynote Of the speaking, it was
stated by the leaders here, will be
"Americanism."