davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Abuse of the Telephone.
Too Eager Statesmen Impose on Bust
ness Men Over the Wire.

To THE NEW York HERALD: An inn
position is practised, by some jealous
statesmen in the use of the telephone.
Many busy business men find them
selves frequently called up on the tele-
phone by persons whom they do nos
know and who invent one excuse or an
other for opening up conversation about
the sale of stocks usually problematical
oil and other equally speculative offer
ings. In some cases they pretend that
an inquiry has been sent in in others
that a friend has asked them to call
you UP, and in other cases they just open
up the conversation on their own account
direct.
am fully aware that the telephone
is open to everybody who wishes to call
UP any other person on matters of bust
ness. in fact it is one of the greatest
conveniences of the age. but. like all
modern improvements 1t is subject to
abuse, and It seems 70 me this consti-
tutes such abuse.
Could not the daily newspapers use
their great influence in helping to abate
the nuisance? w. NJ. 3.
NEW YORK, December 1S.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Must Coat Tails Go?

The war is blamed or praised for
the greater informality in the dress
of men which is noticeable in this day.
An observer need only attend the opera
to see that evening garb is by no
means as uncompromisingly formal
as it was a short time ago. The same
impression is gained from observation
of social gatherings. Men who a few
years ago would have considered them
selves inappropriately clad without an
evening coat do not hesitate now to
appear in what has come to be called
Il dinner jacket.
Indeed, the war seems to have had
remarkable effect on coat tails. They
have all but disappeared. 1t was this
fact that embarrassed an American
diplomat in London who went to his
tailor for a morning coat TO wear at
an official gathering in the day time,
but was content TO order sack coat
when he learned that the highly pat
ronized manufacturer of mems clothes
had not made spike tail coat since
the second year OF the war.
SO IL has been In New York. Death
to the coat tail r. energies determin-
ing rule in mems dress. Where are
the frock coats of yesteryear? Where
are the walking coats with the d.
minished yardage? Where, as mat
ter of fact, is any kind Of coat except
the sack Of every day commerce and
the dinner jacket?
VIII the tails Of the evening coat
disappear altogether? Certainly that
garment has only an academic claim
10 its time honored place as the
uniquely appropriate dress for for
NAL evening wear. In fact too many
men look well dressed in the dinner
Iacket. even when IL is ameliorated
with white tie or walstcoat. to make
the old rule about the tail coat hold.
The rule among the fastldlous used
to be that the presence of ladies
made the so-caled dress" coat inn
pcrotlvc Yet ladies have survived the
increasing prcponderancc OF its demo
cratic rival: few II any Of them have
been heard TO complain.
The war OF course had on It's side
the incradicable preference of the
average man 10 wear a dinner jacket,
II he dare, instead Of the more cere-
monlous evening coat. Who can ex-
plain this prejudice? Is II distaste
for the embellishments that must in
evitobly be assumed along with this
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Selective immigration.
One Test of Newcomers the Posi-
bility of AmericaniZing Them.

To THE New YORK HERALD: Rigid
selective immigration must be estab-
lished at the least for a number of years.
We cannot absorb into this country, as
large as it Is, the tide of illiterate peo-
pies who are coming to-day without
inviting another and more alien race to
turn the food into a torrent.
Can we not decrease the immigration
of skilled and unskilled industrial work
ers and increase the advantages for
farmers and farm laborers who are
capable of absorbing and realizing Amer
lean ideals? The Chinese and japanese
are not, from what we have seen of them
during the last fifty years. through their
fundamental racial characteristics capa-
BILE of becoming "of America Ameri-
cans" The problem in time would be-
come a greater one than that of the
negro.
The proportion OF the total immigra-
ton between the years Of 1899 and 1909
that declared themselves farmers was
but 81 per cent. Let It be increased,
but at the expense of the class of in
dustrial immigrant who Is now becom-
ing a burden and let II be increased
from other races than those who cannot
become part of us.
ROGER L. BRIDGEMAN.
NEW YORK, December is,
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
: Two Stamp Taxes.
A Plan to Pay the Government I Per
Cent. on Checks and Bills.

To THE New YORK HERALD: ! sug-
gest the following stamp taxes to take
the place of the present income and ex-
cess profits taxes. Stamp taxes have "A
bitter taste to- American mouths. but
they are simplest, cheapest and easiest
to be collected. They should hit the
rich and poor alike in proportion to their
means:
/. A stamp tax on checks. This
should not be the Spanish war tax of
two cents on each check. This fixed fig
ure is unfair 10 the small check drawer.
but the check should carry In stamps
per cent. of its amount.
2. A stamp tax on bills and state
ments. All bills and statements rem
dered monthly or otherwise should carry
stamps to the amount of 1 per cent
This would be along the lines of n sales
tax. The party rendering the bill must
stand the tax. That is. the landlord
must place stamps. which cannot be
charged TO the tenant. on the rent bill,
the Insurance broker on the insurance
statement. the butcher on the meat bill,
the dry goods merchant on the dry goods
bill. An agent OF course would pay a
tax only on his commission. charging to
the owner or insurance company his or
its correct proportion. This tax would
reach the store owner, real estate opera
tor and corporation.
Now what Is 1 per cent. on checks or
bills? Surely the man who draws n
check for IS should not object to placing
stamp for five cents on his check.
Nor should the landlord object TO plac-
ing on his bill for $3.50 rent a stamp for
$3.50. Think OF the cash saved now
paid to lawyers. auditors and collectors
the time saved now wasted with Gov
eminent inspectors and tax forms. Pos
sibly we could have and keep our books
and AFFAIRS to ourselves, not open to pry-
ing eyes.
These taxes should bring in n large
revenue. The flow should be steady.
causing no financial disturbance. as at
present. What would these cost 10
collect? Certainly not the vast sums
expended ut present. Only the cost of
printing and distributing the stamps: a
mere trife. Let's swallow our stamp
tax hatred, get to work and pay our
debts. KING SMITH.
NEW YORK, December IS.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
FOUNDATION TO GIVE
EUROPE MEDICAL AID
Countries Suffering From,
War Will Benefit.

Assistance 70 medical schools in cen
trail Europe. in countries whose com
bined population approximates 100000
people and which are suffering severely
In consequence OF great shortage of
physicians. has been decided upon By
the Rockefeller Foundation.
The programme includes aid in the
rehabilitation Of scientific equipment for
medical teachings and research In these
countries aid in supplying universities
throughout Europe with American and
British medical journals, and sen invita-
ton 10 four leading medical men OF
Serbia to visit America at the expense
of the foundation that they may study
medical schools here as a preliminary
to establishing a medical college in Bel
grade.
In Serbia, according to the report
made TO the foundation by its repre-
sentatives who recently visited central
Europe, there are less 'than three hun
dred doctors for the entire population
In Poland, with its 100000 inhab-
itants there are less than two thousand
physicians outside of the army medical
forces. with the exception OF Germany
and Austria Il was found that all the
countries under consideration are badly
In need of schools which will train up
adequate numbers OF physicians for the
immediate future.
Col. +. F. Russell, who has been in
Prague since August serving as techni-
cal adviser In public health laboratory
organization to the Czech Ministry OF
Hygiene, Is TO arrange the details OF the
foundations cooperation with the medi-
cal schools abroad.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
EVENTS TO-DAY.

Ernest Harold Baynes will deliver an illus
trated lecture, Our Animal Allies In the
World War;" under the auspices OF the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. in Lexington Theatre, $50 P. NJ.
The 302d Engineer Post of the American
fcers at meeting in the Seventy seventh
Division Club. 81 West .Twenty-fifth street,
s T.. NJ
The New York Chapter of World War
Veterans will meet in the Seventy-first Regi-
ment Armory. Park avenue and Thirty
fourth street. this evening.
The Society of American Foresters VIII
hold its annual meeting at the Yale Cluh,
80 Vanderbilt avenue. beginning at $3.50 A. NJ
Or. Winifred Sackville Stoner will speak
on Are You a Genius, n Prodigy, Fool
or an Ordinnire?" at dinner of the Sunrise
Club at the Cafe Boulevard. AS p. NJ.
The annual dinner of the New York Acad-
envy OF Sciences will be held at the Delta
Kappa Epsilon Club, 30 West Forty-fourth
street. +. NJ.
The section OF ophthalmology OF the New
York Academy of Medicine will meet Of
II West Forty-third street. $3.50 y. NJ.
Ilsey Boone will give an illustrated lee
ture on Records and Romance OF the
Plymouth Pilgrims" at Evander Childs High
School. I9lth street and Field place, the
Bronx. S:I5 Z. NJ.
The Society Of New York Women will hold
n meeting at the Hotel Aston, at p. NJ.
Yarn Dealers Association. meeting, Hotel
McAlpin. Z 80 p. NJ.
The Westchester County Chamber OF Com
rnerce viii hold dinner at the Hotel Com
modore. =. NJ
DR.. Frederick Schleiter will lecture on THE
Development OF Science at the Manhattan
Trade School, Lexington avenue and Twenty
second street. S:15 p. NJ.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Daily Calendar
THE WEATHER.

For Eastern New York-Generally
tair to-day and tomorrow; not much
change in temperature Sresh west and
northwest winds.
For New Jersey-Falr to-day and to-mor-
row; not much change in temperature; mod
crate variable winds
FOR Northern New Enthusiastically fair
,o,,o ana tomorrow; not much change In
temperature; moderate westerly winds.
For Southern New England--Fsir to-day
ana tomorrow; not much change in tenn
peIAture; moderate TO fresh westerly winds.
for western New York--Cloudy to-day,
PROBABLY light near the lakes; to-
morrow generally fair: not much change in
temperature; moderate southwest and west
winds.
WASHINGTON. Dec. f9-Pressure tgas
low and falling Sunday from the Pacific
coast eastward over the plateau and Rocky
Mountain regions and II was high over the
sections further east Rain fell in the Gulf
states, the south Atlantic States and the
Pacific States and snow In Montana, the
middle Missouri Valley. Athe region OF the
Great Lakes and the Upper Ohio Valley.
The temperature continued below normal
over the greater portion OF the country and
minimum readings OF ten to twelve degrees
were registered in North Dakota Sunday
morning.
The outlook is for mostly fair weather In
the states east OF the Mississippi River to-
morrow. but the western disturbance is ex-
pected 10 move eastward and cause unsettled
weather W. Tuesday, and snow is probable In
the upper lake region and the Ohio Valley
and rain in the Southern States.
temperature changes Will not be important
storm warnings are displayed on tho
southern California coast.
observations at United States Weather
Bureau stations. taken at 8 L. NJ. yesterday
seVenty-fifth meridian time:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Peace by Consent.
A Combination Suggested of League,
Court and Referendum.

To THE NEW York HERALD: Regard
ing the plan to end war by referendum
the following suggestion may not be
without value.
To submit the issue directly to the
pose Of prevention. In the light of the
worlds knowledge acquired after the
fact no one can doubt that had the
issue been submitted in 1914 to the
German people they would have voted
war in accordance with their education
and the dictation OF their war lords
Determination by league or court in
wolves the nice and difficult question of
what is justiciable. For example, no
American citizen would hesitate en-
phatically to declare as non-justiciable
the issue whether or not our republic
should be inundated until submerged
by the floods of Eastern populations
Not because the peoples Of the Orient
are inferior races, as racial superiority
or inferiority has nothing to do with
the question. The reason for their ex-
clusion Is simply because nature has
made them in too many respects radi-
cally different from ourselves. Different
physically. mentally and temperament
ally. Different in language. customs and
laws. beliefs and perhaps ideals. There
by nature itself precludes the hope Of
amalgamation. Hence exclusion is not
justiciable.
Now it seems feasible to combine the
ideas of league. court and referendum
in the plan to prevent war and create
preventive in so far as at present civil
lied ingenuity can devise one. Let the
nations agree upon a court of dehnitive
Jurisdiction over all questions deemed
justiciable. and oveS all other questions
submitted to It by referendum Of the
nations between whom a non-justiciable
issue arises. thereby making such issue
justiciable by the consent of sthe nations
concerned in given case.
EDWIN r. LEAvITT.
NEW YORK, December is.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
The Lash for Robbers.

To The New YORK HERALD: There
is only one remedy for this robbery by
violence and murder which is going on
with such frequency. namely, the whip.
I remember going through Peru dur
ing the Chile-Peru war; the Chileans
were in occupation of the capital and
lawlessness. as the outcome of the war.
was rampant and among all nationals
evilly minded it was absolutely unsafe
to walk out in. lonely parts of the town
even IN the daytime, as you ran great
risk of being knocked on the head and
having your money and valuables taken
from you.
Fortunately, General Lynch, the son OF
an Irishman. was sent up TO take charge
of the troops. and he Immediately insti-
tuted the whip for all crimes of violence.
The prisoners were marched through the
streets wearing foolscaps describing
their crimes and followed by four other
prisoners, and at four different public
squares they were laid out and publicly
whipped by the other prisoners.
If the latter did not do this as vigor-
ously as was expected of them they re-
ceived the fiat of sword blade across
their backs. which always had the de-
sired effect.
After week Of this one could sleep
safely with the front door open in fact
it was said the remedy had such an
effect that when those criminally in
clned saw open doors or windows they
ran to avoid the possibility of falling
into temptation.
This may be very barbarous treat
ment and no doubt against the views Of
milksops who talk about its brutalizinS
effects and so on. but IL certainly is
very effective.
Is it not worth whipping. say, score
Of these brutes to insure the safety OF
the millions of peaceful and law abiding
citizens? CANNIBAL.
NEW YORK December 49,
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Our Marines in Hayti.

Until Brigadier- General BABNETT's
statement that there had been "prac-
ticalIy indiscriminate killing" of Hay
tians by United States marines was
made public the industriously circu-
lated charges of brutality brought
against our forces on duty in the Black
Republic were received by Americans
generally as propaganda based on I'M
fortunate incidents inseparable from
the occupation of the island.
General BARNETT was quoted as
saving his words had been misinter-
preted. but they made immediate in
vestigation of Haytlan conditions nee
essary. and that investigation has now
reached stage nj which the court
of inquiry conducting it has felt jus
tilted in reporting to the Navy Depart
ment that General BARNETT "had no
proper grounds" for his assertion.
Considering the difficult nature of
the work set for the marines, which
consisted largely in the suppression
of bandits, the wide authority neces-
sarily reposed in individuals far from
the higher officers. the provocation
under which they labored, the ma
rines appear to have comported them
selves with credit to their uniforms
and their country, and infractions Of
discipline among them were promptly
and suitably punished.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20

press his thoughts when the crisis in
German affairs came. In this dark
hour the Emperor, according to Herr
RosNER, said:
NO, have no right to spread my
sorrows before men. In this black
hour l am alone in my sorrow and
must pray. like CHRIST on the Mount
OF Olives, while around Him His
Apostles slept: Father, II 1t be pos
sible, take this cup OF bitterness
from me but not as 1 will, but as
Thou wilt"
OF the last meeting with VoN Hin
DENBURG and LUDENDoRFF he gives par
ticulars which have not before been
published. These two men were at
General Headquarters for the purpose
of informing their chief of the neces-
sity of retreat from the Marine. LU-
DENDoRFF had not taken the trouble to
meet his Emperor at the door and he
dropped his monocle upon the table "as
usual when greeting any ordinary Wis.,
itor." The two officers remained en-
tirely oblivious of the imperial wrath.
The Kaiser remarked that what Cen
eral LUDENDoRFF told him sounds
quite different from your tales four
days ago" Herr RosNER says:
THE thin ribbon tying these two
men is torn. The Generals blood
rushes to his head, but he keeps his
temper and says with hard voice:
"'Rcverses are within the range of
possibility in every war; but if your
Majesty has lost confidence -
NO. he does rot want that and he
tries to make up"
4 messenger enters with the text
of the telegram to tell the German
people of the catastrophe on the field 4;
the Field Marshal signs 1T ana the
Emperor reads it. Speeches., he re-
turns the sheet. "lIow harmless it
sounds. But if GoD works no mir
acle it is the end of everything.
The world may denounce the for
mer Kaiser, Germany may depose
him. the great HlNDENBURG may turn
a deaf ear and cold shoulder to him
and LuDENDoRFF may treat him with
marked, premeditated disdain, but
through il all Herr RosNER remains
true to the last.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Undesirables.

Seven hundred undesirable immigrants
rejected by Uncle Sam at gate, 10 be de-
ported. Nov. 20, 1920
They sit on benches in hot rooms
And stare and cough through idle days.
Their thick wind-blooded. black proved
eyes
Like leeches suck the bloated shore
Where gold was promised evermore
Outside the ocean they have crossed,
Fog-bound. in wailing of far ports.
outside the city coveted
Is drinking ships in like a sponge;
Is poised--an iron wave-to plunge :.
They stir along the bench and shift
They open mouths, they gasp for air.
Their ashen thoughts like trailing smoke
Become vague spectres sick with fears.
Oh on them squeeze two hemispheres.
KATHRYN WHITE RYAN.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
State Traffic Rate Mischief.

With Illinois, Ohio and other States
following New York in the effort
to resist within their boundaries the
traffic rates fixed by the Interstate
Commerce Commission the gross mis-
carriage of the proceedings must be
come obvious to everybody.
lutrastate traffic looms stupendous
bulk of the railroad business. If the
railway group which must have the
so-called 6 per cent. of earnings as
territorial whole could not get the
required net revenues out of the
States where vast local traffic moves,
it stands to reason that the interstate
rates would have to be raised CORE
spondingly to make up the difference.
This would make the transportation
cost of all goods coming into State
all the more burdensome. But as il
would make the transportation cost
Of all goods going out of the State
similarly .burdensome ii would tend to
kill such business. Thus affected.
State industries that had been pro-
ducing for markets in other States
would have their production cut down.
They then would pay less of wages to
local labor. They would distribute
less of earnings to local owners and
stockholders. They would consume
less of local supplies. They would
diminish materially the purchasing
power Of the local market Yet every
thing coming into the State would call
for higher price because of the nee
essarily higher traffic rate on the in
terstate shipment.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer, protest
ing against the appearance in Ohio of
the grotesque State proceedings very
we'll puts il as follows:
state utilities commissions and
State legal departments pretend to be
fighting the battle of the people
against the large corporation in re-
/ straining the carriers from collecting
/ the authorized rates That, instead
OF helping the public generally. they
are endangering the nations most
important instruments of trade and
communication. will be established"
There can be no question that the
Supreme Court of the United States
will settle this political nonsense, but
economic danger, for all time. But
because of the mischief it can work
not merely to the carriers but to in
dustry, business and the whole pub
lie the sooner the national execution
of the State commission Instructors
takes place the better.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Women Who Need No Servants Il
HeIp i'm Care of Their Families.

To THE NEW York HERALD: / am of
the opinion that the average American
woman does not want servants or a part
in the management of the AFFAIRS of the
Government. She saves and labors for
what she has and is content to do her
own work. and by doing for her hus-
band creates love which seldom II
ever dies.
How many divorce cases have gone
into the courts from real American fami-
lies IN which love of home and home life
is uppermost in the thoughts OF the
women?
II other families need servants let
them bring servants in from foreign
shores. VIII a true American be SER
want? No, not for any one. Will true
American do for himself? Yes. II doing
ones own work Is good enough for an
American, why is It not good enough Tor
everybody In this country
Bring back good old American homes
and avoid foreign fashions.
A Truly AMERICAN.
BROOKLYN, December IS.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Is, OOOAmericans Burn to Death.

Fifteen thousand men, women and
children are burned to death in the
United States every year.
a few of these deaths are the out
come of unavoidable misadventures
which human prescience could not
foresee or human ingenuity could not
guard against.
Most of them, however, are brought
from avoidable conditions which can
be attributed only to carelessness or
indifference.
Many of these deaths result from
improper construction of dwellings
and public buildings, from unguarded
heating and lighting devices, from in
flammable hangings and decorations
thoughtlessly placed where they may
come into contact with open flames.
Others are the direct consequence
of brutal, barefaced violation of
building ordinances and fire proven
ton codes 10y employees and employ
erS in mercantile and manufacturing
establishments, by patrons and pro-
prietors of theatres and assembly
halls, and in other places where many
persons gather.
\ great many of these deaths are
directly attributable to the criminal
carelessness of men and women
smokers who throw lighted matches
and burning cigars and cigarettes
away without a thought concerning
the injury they may do.
This appalling and heartrending
death list is monument TO stupid,
criminal disregard of elementary
principles of sound building construc-
ton and simple good behavior. 1t IL
the terrible price the nation pays for
heedlessness and shortsighted selfish
ness in individuals.
The authors of these tragedies
should be held TO responsibility for
their acts and, for the safety Of the
public, punished.