davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Carransa Against
Dollar Diplomacy

The essential points of Carranza' s
doctrine are:
I mo nation should intervene in any
fairs of another"
. Nationals and aliens should be
equal before the sovereignty Of
the country in which they reside"
2 diplomacy should not serve to pro-
tect private interests"
Opposed to the Mexican view, chiefly
regarding the retroactive features Of
Article 81, the position of the United
States was voiced in protest from
Ambassador Fletcher April 2, 1918, in
which he said:
"Thc United States cannot acquiescc
in any procedure ostensibly or NOM
inally in the form Of taxation or the
exercise of eminent domain, but really
resulting in coniiscation Of private
property and arbitrary deprivation Of
vested rights"
Similar protests were sent by Great
Britain, Franco and the Netherlands,
whose "vestcd rights" werc also con-
ccrned. OF the powers named Great
Britain is the only one largely repre-
scntcd in the oil fields at this time. her
Investments being estimated at $780,
100000, as against $200,000,O00 Of
American capital. 1t is doubtful If the
powers chiefly concerned are now in
complete accord as to diplomatic action
here with regard to petroleum in
terests, but once the ownership Of the
oil fields held by foreign corporations
is lcgitimatizcd the political phase OF
the oil problem will vanish.
There remains to be considered the
future Of Mexican petroleum produc-
Aaas ~ l. hsHndless.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Protest
Unanimous

The railroad executives almost unan-
imously sprarg up in protest last fall,
especially because the railroad cor
porations were called upon to provide
the financing for the new equipment.
This railroad administration overrode
the protests, and the delivery of the
equipment began about the first of the
year. 1t has been authoritatively es.
timated that one-ffth of the equipment
ordered has not been delivered thus
far.
When called upon to step in to aid
the Railroad Administration during
the last few weeks after Congress- had
eft it short of funds BY failing 20
appropriate the $750,000,0o0 required
before aIiourning, bankers and rail-
road mea sgain expressed their oppo-
sition to the policy Of forcing the
roads to take and pay for standardized
equipment
The initial allotmcnts led to many
queer situations. TO the Csntsx! Rail-
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Y. M. C.. A. Has Undertaken To
Help Masses Become Dis
eliminating Spenders

economic programme has been adopted
to help meet the economic needs of men
as the fifth part Of fivc-fold work.
But the triangle continues to be the
emblem. with spirit" across the top
side. On one Of the other sides is
"body" and Social and on the third
side is "mind" and Economic"
When you get this economic pro-
gramme in your system you and the
loan shark will be mortal enemies.
You will be able to march right past
that $3.50 necktie so artisticaly dis
played in some shop window, assuring
yourself the rs cent one you arc wear.
ing is quite ample for the present.
The fifty-seven varieties Of slot ma
chimes will strike no terror to your
soul. You will buy one or two papers
day instead of three or four, spend
the saved time reading a good book on
"How to Get Ahead in Business" and
put the saved change in the bank, Lib
erty Bonds or War Savings Stamps.
Old Ben Franklin, the father of thrift
in America, will seem to have been a
regular spcnd:hrift in comparison to
you.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
By l.. ]. de Becker
o0yrlsh', 1919. New York Tribune Inc.

Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Incl
MEAlCO CITY, March 15.-Primar-
'iy petroleum has been political
problem IN Mexico, and still ia. That
one OF the greatest sources of Mexi-
COS natural wealth should be exploited
exclusively for the benefit of foreign
'ls' especially at a time when the
government needs funds for recon-
ssfuction purposes, is an absurditv
quite obvious. Some form of taxation
must be devised by which petroleum
shaiI pay its share toward the common
wal and this can be achieved with
vus conflict between Mexican and
ameriean interests when the political
issue has been disposed of.
II 10 proposed that legislation based
on the new constitution shall elimi-
=. nate the retroactive features of Article
=, which, al it now stands, appears 60
sOniiscate the property Of the oil in
ss.ests. In a word, Mexico will claim
~ future oil discoveries as the ma
..vns property, without disturbing the
private ownership of oil fields row in
yyperation. How is this to be done :?
10 not know. Let Article q, which
qnote, speak for itself, but I am
.sminced of the question sometimes
sMsa sssxsa 10 our own glorious Republic:
ma. - the Constitution between
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23

very making Of the watch is max
ing the matchmaker the skilled artisan
he is becoming. While Bill is making
the spring, face, hands and all the
other mechanism, this same watch is
developing Bills skill, patience, judg-
ment and delicacy of touch. While
man is making money, money is max
ing the man.
Christ has more to say about
mans attitude toward money than any
thing else. Sixteen of his thirty-eight
parallels relate to this theme, and
throughout the four gospels one verse
in every seven deals with this sub
jcct. He takes this thing of common
interest ard makes it touchstone to
test the lives of men and an instru-
ment for moulding them into likeness
to himself.
Just as soon as that agile Zacchaeus
got to thinking straight about his
money matters, Jesus said, "This day
has salvation come to this house"
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
AutO appetite as.
WheeIbarrOsc Income

Another man was sporting an auto
mobile which was beyond his means.
The thrift exhibit was placed on dis
play in connection with the meetings
held in his shop. One Of the sixteen
charts had title Don't Ape the Rich.
You Can't Satisfy an Automobile Ap-
petite on Wheelbarrow Income" The
lesson, emphasized by the cordial kid
ding of fellow workers, sank in: he
sold the auto, and began to live within
his income.
In New Jersey city the economic
secretary is spending his evenings Wis
iting the homes of men he meets dur
ing the day in the factory. He sells
the whole family on the idea of cper-
ating the home finances on a budget
plan, shows them how to do this and
provides the blanks on which to keep
the accounts.
In an Ohio manufacturing plant,
where a careful record of each mans
production is kept, the president, an
association leader, gets reports of men
having low production. During the day
he looks them up. For instance, re-
Gently, Sampson Rodkins appeared to
be falling behind in his output. The
president casually dropped around one
afternoon to the place where Rodkins
was working.
you're looking a bit all in, Samp-
son." he said.
perhaps 1 feel that way" was the
reply.
"Any objections to my dropping in
for a little chat tonight ?"
"No."
That night the head of this concern
visited Sampson in his home. Az in
most cases of this kind he found that
the man had been worrying about a
financial difficulty. 1t was matter the
president was glad to help him
straighten out. 1t was a definite SER
vice to Sampson. And it was O. demon
stration of fricndliness rather than
friction in industry.
The Y. NJ. C.. A. economic programme
touches men and boys at a place of
universal interest and renders prac-
tical service. 1t proposes to take ad-
vantage of the thrift interest developed
during the war to help us as indi-
viduals and as nation to become
not Economically illiterate," but fully
developed in knowledge and practice
Of high ideals Of thrift. 1t hopes to
get the loose spenders to tighten UP
and all Of US to think straight about
our money matters.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Making the Thrift
Habit automatic

Most of us are so busy OH the lob
which brings in our wherewithal that
we do not take the trouble to figure
out our right relations to that where
withal. We need an outside stimulus
constantly helping us to think straight
about our money matters War Saw
ings Stamps, Liberty Loans, war well
fare societies, food conservation cam
paigns and the high cost of living
have been stimulating our thoughts on
saving. But now that the war is over
we need some practical prodding on the
right use of money, lest we lapse back
into the looseness of former days. We
need to have thrift ideals burned so
deeply into our hearts that it will be
rs natural to be thrifty as to breathe,
Among organizations which are en-
sphasizing in a broad way the i'm
portance of continuous individual
thrift is the Y. NJ. C. A., with its
economic programme.
The ''Y" started out years ago with
three-fold work, physical, educational
and religious. When the triangle was
adopted as trademark each side of
1t represented one of these phases
Later it was discovered that men were
social beings, very much so, and social
activities were added to help meet the
social needs of men. Recently it has
developed that men also have an eco
nomlc side, very much so, and the
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
The Greed Of
The Carrasssistas

Article n in Mexico's new constitu.
ssvn which follows is the crux of ths
vssto'sum controversy:
The ownership Of lands and waters
sprixed within the limits Of the
ssslvnst sss,t territory il vested origi-
AHy In the nation. which had and
nss the right to transYnit title there.
ss;.s ~ private persons, thereby corr
'stpsuttnE private property.
..ate Ilyate property shall not be az
.vpiiated except for reagons Of nub-
feation. - '"ca"s OF 'ndcmni-
The nation shall have at ali t;mes
sns right 70 impose ON private pron.
such limitations az thn nmbiic
,;sxssssk s;ss'sk may demand. ~ we'll 80 thr
.ss xns y regulate the deyelopment 81
t.Ss.safaI resources, which arc [ snscen. -
s....e s.vss ol appropriation. In order ~ enr.
them and eqaitably 10 conas ~.
s"s public wealth. For tbix n,,rrass
S!s.sssary measures shall ia tstsr t.r r"to 3.
siys siiy'as large landed xstatex. s" t@ ~ :.
~ small landed h0idinos. e,
To- yItsn new eentres III rursi no,..,.
! With such Iands ara 80 =, pvp1~
D Indispensable ii them. sstas y, s,,s g
z aerieuItuxe end to nyev.nt ~ mi
z ss s11aeticr of natnral yx1x.,ssssn Zs~s.ns
otest properly from dsrases
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Their Earnings
Adventures of individuals and
Families i'm Scientific
Budget Making

through ignorance, have been brought
out and the contents invested in
government securities. 1t is estimated
that in New York City alone enough
socks have been thus released from
useless service to warm the feet (after
the American Expeditionary Force.
Red Cross, United War Work and
other campaigns have given us q new
conception of the stewardship Of
money, and we have poured billions of
dollars into The Golfers of worthy
organizations.
tions. We have even made SO cents
spring up in the church collection,
when heretofore only a quarter grew.
The war has been a national cduca-
tional course on Making Money Mean
More" The economic programme has
been factor in this national cduca-
tion course.
Take for instance the experience Of
Tennessee mountain town Of l,500
people. In the first Liberty loan drive
$4,000 was subscribed, $3.50 was col
lcctcd through the sale Of rubbish and
turned oyer to the Red Cross, 1915
was raised for the Red Triangle work
and 200 people pledged themselves to
make a weekly deposit in the local
savings bank. And the condition
brought about by this better concep-
tion Of money matters resulted in
closing the two saloons.
Now that soldiers are returning from
trenches to benches, sailors from ships
to shops, and munition workers from
war contracts to permanent industrial
occupation, many are face to face with
serious economic problems and need
practical help. That is where the
economic programme is supposed to
render vital service to men.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23

laez, his soldiers and his government
and they contribute more than any
other foreign interest toward the rev.
cnues of the present Mexican govern
ment."
The retroactive feature of Article 81
was in retaliation. 1t was in line with
decree issued by the constitutionalist
government in August, 1914, establish
ing petroleum department, invalidat-
ing all oil transactions made during
Huerta's administration. With the
assumption of government control of
oil production decreed in Vera Cruz
January Z, 1915, petroleum commits
sion was created for technical study,
and it is an open secret here that the
government has been conducting ex-
plorations for oil on its own account
for several years.
Concessions granted to Robleda Coss Y
Brito for the exclusive privilege Of ex-
plotting petroleum in four zones of one
hundred kilometres each in the states
of Tamaulipas and Vera Cruz we're can
celled. The same action was taken re-
garding concessions to De la Barra Y
Bringas in the State of Chiapas and
the Aguila Oil Company, S. A. Cow
dray's "Mcxican Eagle Company. At
the same time five concessions were
granted for laying pipe lines for pub
lie use and three pipe lines for private
use. Concessions for the establish
ment Of refneries and the extension Of
those already in use we're granted to
the Huasteca Petroleum Company CDo-
heny) and the Aguila Oil Company,
but steps we're taken TO put stop to
speculation in "wildcat" companies by
the imposition of heavy inspection
fees. More than one hundred of these
companies speedily disappeared.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23

emerged with no money. no job, more
debt and a wife and child living on
charity. His wife had sold what little
furniture they had and they faced the
world dead broke
After conference "Seedy" and the
secretary decided that the country
would be the best place for him to
make new start. So he put all his
extra clothes into his vest pocket and
hit the pike seven miles into the open.
He slept that night in friendly
straw stack. When the farmer came to
the barn about daylight he found that
"Scedy" had beat him to it--found the
milk pals. milked the cows and cleaned
out the stables.
He went to work in the sugar beet
fields, and from the start the open air
improved his health and strengthened
his body. He sent for his wife, and
they lived together in mighty little
but not uncomf Portable home.
They saved every cent not needed for
"St"oi htScooILiCS, HdNIuB lTlcu DcCt3
for breakfast, boiled beets for dinner
and cold bcets for supper. For 50 they
bought little pig and fed it on the
refuse from the beet fields. In two
years they had added to their livestock
hogs, turkeys, chickens and calves.
In five years "Sccdy" Jim had bought
and paid for a two-acre lot, on which
he raised more sugar beets, hogs, tur-
keys, chickens, calves and children.
In another two years he had built
fine little bungalow on the two acre
lot and added ten more acres to his
farm. On the tenth anniversary Of
that night in the strawstack "Seedy"
Jim, but looking seedy no more, looked
across the table in that same little
bungalow and asked the secretary,
"Will you have meat or dark ?"
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Political ChieJtains
In Foreign Fields

What happened in the Mexican oil
fields is precisely what happened some
years ago in the Dominican cane fields,
though on much larger scale. Amer
lean capital had developed great
sugar estate and was preparing to put
in mill Even a small sugar mill in
those days cost sl,0O0,0O0 or more.
What the management desired above
all things was security, so when local
political chieftain offered to establish
a guard to prevent bandits from de-
stroying the property his offer was ac-
cepted. The guard consisted first of
half dozen ragged fellows, who soon
grew sleek from good feeding and
began to assume an air of Importance
in the neighborhood. In due course
the guard became an army and its
chief general" and the whole out
fit equally nuisance to the govern
ment and to the American sugar plant
crs.
1t was cancerous growth. which
required capital operation, this lit
tie "army" built up by American cap
ital. In Santo Domingo city the "gen-
eral" was referred to as a bandit and
force of marines was sent out to put
him out Of business. The general as
serted that on his word ef honor he
was. not bandit, but patriot. That
made no difference. Both general"
and "army" were reduced.
In Tampico the "army" has had the
same mushroom growth
Two years ago, however, an Amer
ican. correspondent wrote, apparently
on Information derived from the oil
men themselves:
"Peacz and his army estimated ut
1900 to $1,000 men, depending upon
the authority quoted get $4,000 a
month protection money from the oil
companies. Carranza gets 100000 In
taxea every month from tho Standard
Oil Company 100000 month from
the Huasteca Petroleum Company and
more from the Lord Cowdray inter-
sEts. Ths oil producers zaaiatsia ps.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Mexico Will Seek to Solve
Oil Dispute by Compromise
Republic Will Claim Futu re Discoveries as Nat;on,s
Property Without Dist urbing Private Ownership
of Oil Lands in Operat ion, Carranzistas Declare

detrimental to society Settlements,
and communes which lack lands or
water or do not possess them in suf-
ficient quantities for their needs
shall have the right to be provided
with them from the adjoining prop
critics, always having due regard for
small landed holdings. Wherefore,
all grants Of lands made up to the
present time under the decree of
January 6, 1915, are confirmed. Pri-
vate property acquired for the said
purposes shall be considered as taken
for public utility.
In the nation 10 vested direct own
ership of all minerals or substances
which in veins layers, masses or beds
constitute deposits whose nature is
different from the components of the
metals and smetaloids used for indus
trial purposes are extracted; beds Of
precious stones, rock salt and salt
lakes formed directly by marine
waters, products derived from the de-
composition of rocks, when their ex-
pioitation requires underground
work; phcsphatcs which may be used
as fertilizers, solid mineral fuels,
petroleum and all hydrocarbons,
solid, liquid or gaseous.
The ownership of the nation is in
a'ienable and may not be lost by pre-
scription. Concessions shall be grant
cd by the federal government to pri-
yate parties or civil or commercial
corporations organized under the
laws OF Mexico only on condition that
said resources be regularly de-
ycloped, and on the further condition
that the legal provisions be observed.
The Mexican view Of Article 27 is
based on the old Spanish law of real
property. The American view Is based
on the old English law Of real prop-
erty, by which the owner in fee il pro
prietor not only Of the surface soil
but Of all that is beneath, az Of the
air above. From the American view
point mining coal or iron or gold OF
silver would not be justified beyond
the territory to which the, operator
had q legal right. But IL by sinkinc
we'll man drained vast TERRITORY
rich IN natural gas or oil quite b..
yond the boundaries of his own prop.
erty be would be within his legal
rights and an uncommonly lucky
chap, much to be cnyicd.
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23

with this lot of outdoor exercise and
recreation. He became informed on
!he value OF operating personal and
family finances on a budget basis and
how to do it. Family finances appealed
TO him, for Tom had met a charming
young lady, and he liked very much
Tom found, too, that there is a
thrift not only of money, but also of
muscle. mind and morals. He came to
feel that while money is power-the
great motive power that sets in mo-
tion the wheels Of the world-the
IDEAL expression of this force is in
unselfsh service
One of the most important club
events of the year was the celebration
of National Thrift Day, January II,
Benjamin Franklin's birthday. 1t took
the form of a big social affair, speeches.
dancing, billiard and bowling tourna-
ments, masical programme, entertain
ment. Tom took his lady friend. And
great time was had by all" 1t was
reported that he popped the question
that night and was accepted. At any
rate, he and the girl were married a
few weeks later and are now in the
process Of living happily ever sftcr
and within their means.
The wholesome influence this en-
ployes' savings club had on Tom Wat
son illustrates the possibilities for
good in the economic programme as
promoted by the men themselves
through such group, with the J. M.
G. A. in the background to help out
when asked, but never ntruding.
The standardized programme cmpha-
sizing thrift is new, but this sort of
work has been conducted in many
places for years. For instance, there
was "Seedy" jim Henderson. In 1900,
at twenty-six, he was a city street
sweeper. Born in city institution, he
remembered no parents, relatives or
friends. He had fought his way through
as newsboy on the streets which he
was afterward employed to keep clean.
The sweepings of the streets made
him sick, and he spent months in
charity ward Of the city hospital. After
those weary days of Tutoring between
two worlds, about neither of which he
knew very much, he "came back"
One day in April he left the hospital
without cent in the world, but with
5000 bill against him which he would
be expected to pay if he were ever
able to do so. A city hospital suit of
clothes and very weak body were
his principal assets as he faced the
necessity of Immediately finding job.
When the association secretary re-
turned from lunch one noon Jim was
waiting for an interview. AS a result
next morning Jim started out driving
milk wagon, working twelve hours Il
day and climbing hundreds Of back
steps in the course Of his days de-
1iyorv
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
.Sideline Work-and
Bigger Incomes

The thrift exhibit was displayed in
the club quarters and thrift leaflets
were distributed-a different one each
week. The inspiration Tom got from
one of these leaflets, "Where Do You
Hang Your Hat ?" led him to take up
the educational Course on "Personal
Efficiency" taught by Sam Hawkins, a
successful business man. In this course
he learned how to supplement his in
como by such stunts as chicken raising
and home gardening. He got along
New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
Where Higher
Wages Vent

Your experience may be like a fell
low l know, Tom Watson, who swal-
lowed the whole programme, hook, line,
sinker and all. He, like good many
other people in the country, never
saved penny in his life. In fact he
had never given the matter Of money
any serious consideration except to be
on hand promptly to draw his weekly
stipend each payday. Having drawn
the wage it slipped through his fingers
like hot butter and was gone before
he knew it. And where it went was
the least of his worries. When the
war came on he went in for munitions.
Wages went up and Tom rolled in
wealth-so it seemed to him. He took
tonier room, bought better clothes
frequented higher class restaurants
and occupied seats nearer the front at
the shows. But his financial status
at payday-dead broke-was the same
as in the less palmy days. He never
stopped to figure out why. He never
thought of the future. Sufficient unto
the day was the evil thereof.
The management of a big Connect
cut munitions plant woke up one morn
ing to find the armistice signed and a
lot of war contracts cancelled. Some
OF the employees had to be dropped, and
Tom happened to be one of them,
"What shall do?v he questioned
himself. "Go back to the old job, |
guess"
He went back. Hard luck! There
was nothing doing. Then he began to
think bit. The thoughfest ended in
resolution which he promptly trans
lated into action. He went to the near
est Red Triangle centre and had a talk
with the secretary.
"How would you like to have little
counsel on the matter of your vocation
in life with successful business man