davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Hearty Disapproral
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I trust you will permit mo to
say that am among those who heartily
disapprove your attitude toward the ex-
animation Of the five Socialists now
being conducted at Albany, as we'll as
the ill-considered and hasty action of
Mr.. Hughes. Whoever is acquainted
with the constituencies Of these men, as
L have been for the last five years, is
aware that these individuals were not
sent to Albany to legislate, but to pre-
pare for "the revolution" He Is aware,
also, that the bject Of the revolution is
the destruction Of our forms Of govern
ment and society and their replacement
by the soviet system.
That so many Of these men who have
already sat In the Legislature have
acted uniformly in accordance with the
foregoing Interpretation Of their con-
stituents' wishes Is proved by their
opposition to every measure there pre-
sented for the strengthening Of the hand
Of the government or of the patriotism
of the people.
HENRY a. WISE WOOD.
New York, Feb. 2, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
The Disintegration of Germany

Is Germany threatened with dis
solution? The German Socialist
review Der Dampf says it is.
"The Reich is in the way of
dissolution" it says, mot only eco
nomically, but also politically and
intellectually. When we speak of
the economic Transformation of Ger
many we have in view not the on
ward march Of socialism but the
geographical displacement of the
economic center Of gravity. Under
the pressure Of the victorious En-
tente the process will end in the
paralysis and isolation Of the jun
ker-ruled East" The Allied occu-
patton of the left Rhine bank and
the growing significance of the Dan
ube as an outlet Of German trade
work for the destruction Of Prussian
hegemony.
The growth Of political separatism
Is even moro pronounced. Recent ut
Aarauces iu tho prussian Dist con-
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15

when 1t comes to shooting Wisconsin
will be there" And in "The Social
Democratic Herald" Milwaukee, July 81,
1909: at is easy to predict that the
safety and hope of this country finally
will lie in one direction only, that of
violent, bloody revolution"
Walling has said that the American
Socialist party is identical In every
particular with the Bolshevists. No one
can deny that Victor Berger is thor
ough Bolshevist, and the Socialists have
given ample proof of their approval Of
the man and his radical stand. His
position as a Socialist is unchallenge-
able
Why talk Of gentle treatment in deal
ing with mad dog? No matter what
you do, you can't make him any madder
than he IS already, for his condition is
not actuated by any action of yours,
and nothing you can do will change him.
The important thing is to get in the
first blow, and if you work quickly
cough maybe you can put him out
without being bitten. Rabies is a hide
Gus infection, but not more so than
socialism, and the latter is to be fought
with the same swift ruthessness if it is
to be eradicated from our nation before
the virus spreads
LILLIAN ALBERTSON LEVY.
Ossining, N. Y, Feb. a, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15

wrote, "The condition Of the navy
imperatively demands the prompt
and earnest attention Of Congress-"
But he had already, on his own ini-
tiative, made a start toward the
construction Of new steel fleet. He
appointed, on June 20, 1881, the first
Naval Advisory Board, headed by
Rear Admiral John Rodgers, and
instructed it to prepare "a practical
and plain statement Of the pressing
need Of appropriate vessels in the
service at the present time" The
work Of this board unified naval
opinion and enabled the department
to present plans which Congress
was willing to approve. AS con-
sequence Of its activities the first
four steel vessels of the new navy
were laid down: The Chicago, Bos-
ton, Atlanta and Dolphin.
Secretary Whitney has often been
called the Father Of the New Navy.
He worked energetically to enlarge
the feet. But he was not the pioneer.
Neither was William E. Chandler,
his predecessor, the pioneer. The
latter didn't pretend that he was
In speech in the Senate on May
13, 1892, he said, with characteristic
generosity:
Y date tho genesis Of our new navy
with the recommendations Of Presi-
don't Arthur and Secretary Hunt in
1881. and the views there expressed
found concrete form subsequently to
that period In what may be termed the
navy :eform act Of August s, 1882.
Tho construction Of a new
navy not only originated with Presi-
dent Arthur and Secretary Hunt, but
It proceeded in a general way upon
lines laid down by an advisory board
organized by Secretary Hunt on the
29th day Of June, 1884,"
It Is highly appropriate chat some
fighting vessel of the new navy
should bear Secretary Hunts name.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Where We're the PntrtotsP

10 the Editor Of The Tribune,
Sir: If any one had insulted the flag
in the vulgar and childish manner that
the girl accuser of ono Of the Assem-
blymen describes, the papers would
have had an account Of the incident at
the time 1t happened Had H. been a
radical who was thus guilty it is safe
to say that the deed would have been
made known in the largest possible type
in all of the newspapers.
Where were the patriots among the
onlookers? Conduct Of that kind would
kill any party; but the Story would not
be readily believed by any one who has
listened to such men as DR.. Norman
Thomas, Professor Scott Nearing, Au-
gust Claessens and many others. If
Mr.. Louis Waldman may be judged by
one speech the writer heard, he, too. ts
temperate speaker.
Why, pray, did not the soldiers pro-
test? Are soldiers usually pacifists?
If Speaker Sweet cannot produce more
dignified accusations it will be difficult
for some Of us to feel anything but con-
tempt for the whole proceedings.
However, even If one Socialist had
stopped 80 low, that would not make
socialism disreputable. There are just
q few vulgarians among the other
political organizations, presumably.
NEW YORKER.
New York, Feb. s, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15

corning what Is called "the unity
of the empire" but what is really
Prussian predominance, have aroused
bitter resentment not only in Ba-
varia, but also in Thuringia and
other regions where particularist
sentiment had not been strong.
Everywhere outside Prussia proper
the regime of the Scheidemann So
cial Democrats is regarded as the
heir Of the Prussian autocratic and
centralist tradition-in fact, Of the
entire estate Of Prussianism minus
its efficiency.
In Bavaria the present party,
with a program Of "Catholic democ-
racy," Of thorough social reforms
and of anti-Prussian separatism, is
rapidly gaining ground. The strength
OF these centrifugal tendencies is
indicated, on the one hand, by the
anxiety and rage Of the Prussian
press, both conservative and liberal,
and, on the other, by the appearance
of suggestions on the French side
that after all it might be a good
thing to reconsider the veto on the
union Of Austria with Germany.
The realization begins to dawn that
union with Bavaria would isolate
Prussia and transfer her hegemony
to the Austro-Bavarian group.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not Debatable

The correspondence between the
President and Mr.. Lansing is moro
illuminating than all the interviews
and bulletins recently given out
The whole country must have read
the letters with a heavy heart and
q sense Of uncertainty as to the
future.
The public realizes that the Cabi-
net is not an organism known either
to our Constitution or to our stat
utes. It Is never "constitutionally''
summoned into session by any one.
The departmental heads have not
only the right but the duty to
confer with one another, to avoid
acting at cross purposes. During the
long illness Of President Garfield
Cabinet conferences were regularly
held.
The ship Of state cannot be al
lowed to drift. Some one must steer
and others must keep the propellers
moving. This Is not debatable. It
applies with equal force to the past,
the present and the future.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
They Are Always Dignified

Are women in business offices VIC
tins Of prejudice, and, If so, can they
dissipate this unpleasant feeling by
dressing differently? These highly
important questions arc among the
matters discussed by the Federation
Of Business and Professional Wom-
ems Clubs. There seems to have been
g general agreement that they must
be answered in the affirmative. Yet
to many the theory that women suf-
fer under any disadvantages Of this
sort nowadays seems to be far
fetched. There are thousands Of
women, quiet, self-possessed, eff
cient, who have the respect and con-
fdence Of their employers. Do any
appreciable number Of these "place
themselves at great disadvantage by
lack of proper. recognition Of dignity
in DRESS" as one Of the speakers at
the convention asserted?
1t may be doubted if gowns obvi-
ously designed for afternoon teas"
though their appropriateness be
conceded, are as obnoxious to the
men in an office as their critics
would have us believe. Busy en-
ployers, in particular, probably pay
little attention as a rule to the gowns
their women employees wear, ex-
cept 1t be with a dim consciousness
that they are becoming or unbecom-
ing. Admitting for the sake of the
argument that the present fashions
in women's wear have a less busi-
nesslike look than some that have
preceded them, the woman who dis
regarded the fashion would no doubt
only make the man uneasily aware
that there was something wrong
about her appearance.
There is a curious echo Of age
long jests iD the comic papers in the
contention Of one speaker that "the
wife Of the man in charge Of the
office is slow to accept the young
woman employee for her true ability
and worth" if she dresses too flip
PANTY. When the woman stenogra-
pher was novelty there might have
been some excuse for the wifelv
jealousy so signally exploited by the
humorists. But we'll dressed and
attractive woman is too common
sight in every kind Of business now
to excite comment, domestic or other.
Did not the speaker who insisted
that "there are wrongs and inius-
tices In modern day business" pre-
sumably for women to correct, come
nearer to the mark? Surely it is
pleasanter to think of all the Young
women in pretty blouses as cru
saders for justice, as advance
heralds Of the Uplift, than as care
full guardians Of the artificial dig
nifty of sombre and unbecoming
gowns.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Suffrage Triumphant

There is nothing particularly
graceful about the reception ac-
corded to suffrage, nearing it's final
triumph, by those who so long and
bitterly opposed it. No one asks a
man to reverse his convictions until
convinced that they are wrong; but
it would seem to be not unmanly
proceeding for an anti-suffragist to
admit specific errors in his heart
felt arguments Of the past.
One of the most persistent predic-
tions Of these opponents was the
arising Of woman's party that
would set sex against sex and rend
the country into warning fragments.
The prediction has not come true.
To the contrary, as has been illus
trated in every election and is con-
frmed by the proceedings at Chi
cago, women are not the least dis
posed to organize as a sex. They or
ganize and vote as human beings.
They feel the call Of the old parties
and the new-very much as DO
men. Does The Nea0 Yo,'h; Times or
The New York World acknowledge
its error In this regard? Does Sem
ator Wadsworth, gulping heroically,
confess his mistake? They do not.
An occasional sneer at the women
for being so like men in their po-
litical notions is the most that the
persistent anti-suffragist is heard to
admit.
AS a matter Of fact and Justice,
the great-hearted women who opened
and led the suffrage fight in this
country never gave countenance or
encouragement to the notion Of sex
warfare. Miss Anthony and Mrs.
Stanton were both true American
women, normal in their feminine
qualities and without a particle Of
anianosity toward the male sex. 1t
was chiefly in the cheap witticisms
Of the anti-suffragists that the anti
male female was created. AS the
suffrage cause grew in body it con-
tinued along these healthy normal
lines. A small group Of hysterical
women marred the record slightly in
the last hours by their absurd antics
in Washington; but these exceptions
only proved the rule. Suffrage came
to America as it began, as the natu-
raj outgrowth of the development of
normal women to new activities and
new responsibilities.
The whole country is In debt to
that farseeing woman, born a hun
dred years ago to-day, who started,
with clear vision and generous mind,
the great reform now at its triumph.
All honor to the memory Of Susan
B. Anthony on this day of great
memories and greater hopes!
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
4 Brief for the Constitution
O the Editor of The Tribune.

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Referring to your editorial, "At
Last Direct Evidence" every one will
agree with your statement that if the
evidence is true Assemblyman Solomon
should be expelled However, | cannot
understand how so worthy a publica-
ton as yours can believe that any one
could have made statement, such as
Solomon is supposed to have made, spat
on the American flag, and then got out
alive from the crowd which Miss Chlvers
asserts consisted of, among others, SOL
diers, sailors and policemen. Further
more, the policemen refused to arrest
Solomon, and this in ITSELF is slur
upon our loyal body of men who COM
pose the police force.
I hold no brief for the Socialists.
You will probably remember some very
strenuous fights when I opposed them,
but do holds brief for the Con-
stitution of the United States and this
beautiful country; do reverence the
name Of Roosevelt, and therefore object
to any one bearing that name joining in
an unconstitutional action, but / do hope
that progressive paper like yours will
between now and Tuesday, in an edi-
torial state, in the most unmistakable
terms, that the state should not be nut
to the expense Of hearing the side of
the Socialists, that since no direct evil
dence was produced excepting the flag
incident which was not known to the
Assembly, and since it Is inconceivable
that such an incident could have hap
pened, that the Assembly rescind its
action so that no legislative body
thereafter will ever dare interfere with
the golden right of the ballot. The
greatest argument which all Of US used
for the foreigner, for the radical, for
the dissatisfied. vas the uss et the bal.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Critics and Defenders
The Tnbunes Stand With Respect to Speaker Swcet
and the Suspended Socialists Debated BY Our Readers
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The extraordinary critic who
accuses you Of continuing to bolster up
your case in behalf Of the Socialists,
"while refusing to take up the gage
against the real menace, which is social
ism of the present-day type" must be
an extremely new reader Of The Trib-
une; else ho would be aware that it's
voice has been one of those most loudly
and clearly raised in the very cause
which he maintains. No paper in New
York City is more bitterly detested by
the revolutionary elements than is The
Tribune. If any charge can be brought
against your policy, it is that Of an ex-
cessively conservative tendency.
Unlike certain other conservative
organs and individuals, however, The
Tribune does not believe in destroying
the fundamental principles Of democ-
racy in order to combat the enemies of
democracy. To do so would be to surrender
the very issue at stake and to sacrifice
the substance to the form The advo-
Gates Of socialism can never accomplish
their ends unless they succeed in con-
verting the great body Of the people to
their way of thinking. When they ap-
peal to tho ballot they are within their
right. They are seeking redress for
what they hold to be unjust conditions
In precisely the manner that we, who do
not agree with them, have always called
upon them to do.
Franco and other countries, in which
their propaganda Ia far more wide
spread than with US, have never dreamed
Of an autocratic suppression Of their
rights at the polls. Is our country, the
pioneer In genuinely democratic politi-
cal organization, to stand alone in re-
turning to the brute suppressions Of a
past epoch, and to deny to any class the
right to register Its views and it's will
in the manner provided by law for all !?
JAMES F. MORTON JR.
New York, Feb 8, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
ihe Father Of the New Navy

IN naming the destroyer launched
yesterday at Newport News the
navy Department paid somewhat
tardy tribute to Secretary William
H. Hunt, the Father of the Modern
american Navy. Mr.. Hunt entered
resident Garleld's Cabinet in
march, 1881, and held over as Secre-
'ary Of the Navy in President Ar
'nur's Cabinet until April II, 1882,
when he was made Minister to Rus
sla. In both cabinets he took the
iead in urging a thorough rehabili-
'a'lon Of the navy, whose wooden
shd iron ships had become obsolete.
Ia his first and only annual re-
Sost dated Decsmbsx, 1854, he
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15

vert man to my way Of thinking I
never call him a fool, for he would
then form very poor opinion Of my
understanding" delivered with a
distinct chuckle
Some Americans may praise and, con-
demn according to instructions, but a
few Of us like to use our own brains,
whether the latter be good or inferior.
WATCHFUL WAITING
New York, Feb. 10, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
ltsms Of ex- PC. Of ex- in prices family

The prices consulted are those Of
industrial centers. Various reasons,
such as increases In transportation
rates, tbs greater universally Of
residence renting, the purchase of
all food instead Of merely a part Of
It, have tended to make the increase
larger relatively in cities than in
towns and rural communities. It is
likely, If all family budgets, country
ss we'll as city, could be examined as
to the cash outlay to maintain the
1918 standard Of living. that the in
crease would be found to be some
where between 70 and Is per cent.
The tables first column shows the
percentage of expenditure devoted
to the different items-food, cloth
ing, etc. This percentage is based
on figures obtained from over 10000
families in ninety-two localities, In
survey Of the cost Of living recent
iy made by the bureau. The second
column shows the average percent
age Of Increase in the prices of the
several groups from 1913 to October,
1919. The third column is the prod
oct Of the first and second columns
and shows the percentage Of in
crease applied to the total family
fudget. To illustrate: 1872 per cent
OF the total expenditure goes for
1ood; food costs have increased S0.7
per cent; this makes the percentage
OF increase in the price of food, as
related to the total family expen-
olture, SO.8 per cent.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
No Centleness for Mad Dog

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir think The Tribune makes mis-
take In assuming that it has been
"chided" for opposing "lynching all
Socialsts" I, for one, have no desire
to "lynch" all or any Socialists, but, on
the other hand, neither do | defend them
and refuse to believe in their guilt
when they have themselves furnished
proof of that guilt through their own
words.
Those Of US who "chide" you do so
because 1t seems to US you have will
fully disregarded evidence given in the
trial of the FIVE suspended Assemblymen
and have put wrong conclusions upon
perfectly simple and plain facts. I
never thought to bring such an accusa-
ton against The Tribune, for it has
been my Bible in the past, but its apos-
tasy has been giving me some very try
ing mornings during the last three
weeks.
Forget the books that have meant
socialism to US in the past--the books
BY Spargo, Walling, Trine, Gilman and
all tho other high-n,inded American
idealists who made the word SOCIALISM,"
mean altruism and the brotherhood of
man. They are Socialists no longer
Let Victor Berger testify as to the
meaning and purpose Of his party
Who dares to DENY his right? Speakinp.
in the national Socialist convention in
1908 hs said; II havc no doubt that in
A. laaA anaIvaia WA ra,,aA aAAaA aud
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Praise for Anti-Saloon League

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Since prohibition went into ef
feet interest has been focused on the
Anti-Saloon League. Many have been
asking what is this organization which
has played an important part in this
great reform. Permit me just word
which may throw some light on what
the AntiSaloon League is.
This organization has been fire.
quently fayed for its method Of ques-
tionnaire. To ask political aspirants
to answer questions has been regarded
as an tmpertinence. But this much
criticized method has made real con-
tribution to craftsmanship.
1t has stressed the independent po-
sition Of the voter and thus holpcd to
break up rigid political affiliations. 1t
has contended against the control or
submergence Of moral issues by politi-
cal bosses, who are always favorably
"wet" and selfishly interested. 1t has
clarified moral issues by forcing them
to the light Of publicity. 1t has come
to the defense Of the voter by COM
mitting the candidates. 1t has helped
to free our legislatures from the or
ganized control Of corrupt influences.
1t has simplified and purified our 30.
litical life by its non-partisan position
and aggressive independence. No one
has anything to fear from such an or
ganization except compromised politi-
clans, corrupt bosses and selfish inter-
ests. And the fears Of these classes
are fully justified.
A. D. BATCHELoR.
Brooklyn, Fsb. 9. 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
How Much Really Up?

In view Of many wild and contra
dictory statements concerning the
average increase In The cost Of liv-
ing since 1918 the following table,
prepared by the official Bureau of
Labor Statistics, is interesting:
Estimated percentage Of increase in
cost Of living In tho United States
from 1913 to October, 1919
Increase
as ep-
Increase piled to
lteme Cf ey- p c. OF Az in prices family
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
A Week ofVerse
Limehouse Sunset

fFyon, The Posesy Rsvteso. Lo~Ac~D
A 7 LIMEHOUSH PIER the eds r.
strong,
And there are curious things adrifA
But the wind hath q nobler song,
Salt with the seas sharp kiss, and
swift.
A flowing Gro IL on the river,
Like vino outpoured, wine gold. w1nn
red,
For rurging Of her piteous dead.
Inc great crane engines swing and
culver,
And the lost seabirds wheel and cry
The long, slow barges, dreamfuily,
The little brown-sailed boats 90 by.
Intent to find the sea.
Tho alleyways are dark at night,
Stabbed ftfully with swords Of light
And children in shuttered room.
See, through chink, the staring moon.
A barre!-organ, through the gloom,
Is weary with wanton tune,
And the girls dance, like autumn
leaves.
In Wild, unwary grace,
No swallows love these sordid caves
But clamorous women, hard Of face
II you arc sworn, a. am sworn.
To love her loud, unlovely ways,
To stand. when she is most forlorn,
Pledged to her passionate praise,
Limehouse will take your heart from
you,
And tread its warm hopes in tho DUST
And all you hold as good and true
Shall know the soaring hands Of lust,
Or-she will give you charity,
And kindness born Of pity and pain,
A courage that can bear to see
The truth, and yet can hope again,
And you shall tread where satyrs trod,
Strong in the name Of God!
HELEN MITCHAM.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
We Doubt It
New York, Feb. 8, 1920.
(From The Boston Globe

(From The Boston Globe)
According to official figures, govern
ment control Of the railroads, the ex-
press companies, the Pullman lines and
the waterways has cost the country
$700,000,000 In two years-something
like 81 apiece for every blessed one of
US Do you feel that you have got
your moneys woxth2
New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
At the Cenotaph

(Fron, The Poetry Rerieso. LondoxJ
SURELY such souls as Arthur's are
~ not lost.-
Perhaps when England calls,
those knights awake
From their long sleep in Avalon
And draw their stainless swords for
England's sake.
Perhaps they took our form again
And laid the spear ard shield aside
For pack and ri7e-and, perhaps,
They came safe home
Perhaps they died.
But am sure that somewhere
Lancelot
Walks royalty in this London, gray and
sad,
And underneath a city clerks cheap
There beats the sinless heart of Gala
had.
vIVIENNE DAYRELI.