davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
AN AID TO CITY GOVERNMENT

THE old theory that surveys of city
= affairs by nonoificial organizations
were inevitably meddlesome has been
pretty thoroughly exploded by the excel
lently administered Bureau of Municipal
Research. Prospects that the Harrison
municipal reform fund shall prove of
genuine benefit to the community need,
therefore, not be clouded with misgv-
ings.
The three-quarters of million dollars
left by Thomas Shelton Harrison, for
mer member of the old committee of one
hundred, is to be devoted, among other
things, to an investigation of city finances
and the simplfication of the systems Of
municipal accounting. Reform in this
field would be richly welcome.
There arc, however, numerous other
lines along which the money can be profit
ably spent. Everything, of course, de-
pends upon the spirit of the enterprise.
,Denunciation of civic undertakings will
accomplish little. Scientific nonpartisan
investigation with cooperative possibiIi-
HES is the goal to be kept in mind.
g The opportunities for good under this
trust for the elimination of waste, for the
introduction of sane economies and the
general encouragement of municipal eff
cheney are stimulating.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
MORE TREATY-WRECKlNC

IF KURT Won LERSNER, who refused
to submit to Berlin the criminal list
prepared by the Allies, is supported by
his government, Germany will have fatty
violated the peace treaty. His conduct
must not be confused with the question
of the advisability of the extraditions.
1t is arguable that the plan is too COM
plex for execution or that it exhibits a
vengeful spirit out of key with world
striving for peace. 1t is also arguabe
that offenders of the common laws of
civilization, inhuman despots and sordd,
cruel tyrants ought to be punished But
it is for the victorious signatories of the
treaty of Versailles to decide which
course they wish to adopt.
Article 22S of the pact reads:
The German government recognizes tho
right of the Allied and Associated powers
10 bring before military tribunals persons
accused of having committed acts In viola
tons of the laws and customs of war. Such
persons shall, il found guilty be sentenced
10 punishments laid down by Law. This
provision will apply Notwithstanding any
proceedings or prosecutions before a
tribunal In Germany or in the territory
| Of her allies
Germany formally and solemnly agreed
TO this ruling. II is this nation in her
ia familisg role Of pledge-breaker which
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
The Rose and the Rosebud

rT1HD though. of her, like gossamer
l. That spiders spin,
Through heart and head its webbing spread
And tangled all within:
And be-be was a poor clerk with daily
bread to win,
Alackaday,
With daily bread to win.
Her memory was like, thought he,
The roses scent;
1t haunted him with fragrance dim
No matter where he went:
He could not understand at all, and wondered
what it meant,
Alackaday,
He wondered what it meant.
But fate proved kind-or to his mind
1t seemed to be;
He deemed him blest, and made a nest
His Rose to hold with glee:
And with his pretty spouse while no one
as gay as he,
A]ackaday,
No one as gay as he.
But list my song-'twil not be long:
His Rose of May
Within the nest soon held guest,
"A bud that came to stay:
Now with a rosebud in his arms he walks
the night away,
Alackaday,
He walks the night away.
90 SAMUEL MINTURN PECK.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
nit it as an alternative to the document
which the commission is at work on.

But to return to the eighteenth amend
ment to the federal constitution: That
was passed, assuming that there may be
some technical force in Mr.. Roots con-
tcntion that the ordinary provisions for
amendment did not cover the case, in
direct exercise of the provision of Article
X, which declares that the powers not
delegated to the United States are re-
served to the states, respectively, or to
the people. The states have consented to
the surrender of their police power over
the liquor traffic by ratifying the amend
ment. No amount of sophistry can rea-
son away this substantial fact,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

A western professor
Deliah in the Homo declares that he no
longer can afford to
have his hair cut by a barber, and that for
two years past his wife has cut his hair.
If the law Of supply and demand is to rule,
the professor would profit if be assisted his
wife in running a barber shop. If civiliza-
ton, however, demands something more than
material needs, the law stands in some need
of amendment.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
Martens Sharp as
WeasClS

Ludwig c. \. X Mar.
Martens Sharp as tens, 'soviet ambas-
WeasClS Sador" has sent n
cablegram TO the Rus
sian foreign minister urging the uncoudi-
tonal release of American Red Cross work
crs recently captured in Siberia And he
suggests that the soviet government call the
attention of the American Government to the
"incopgruity" of such action while Rus
sian citizens in America are being unjustly
arrested and matrcated'' and while Martens
himself is under threat of deportation. ("
Which suggests the reflection that no one as
yet has even remotely limited that Mr. Mar
tens is other than shrewd.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

believes to be the worst and most dan
gerous consequences Of the war. No one
will be able to judge the results of this
war for good or i'll till n generation has
passed. perhaps till many generations have
passed Exhausted Europe cannot judge
them today any better than excited America,
starting out on what William Allen White
called "the high enterprise of a short hike
to the millennium" could judge them two
years ago.
DLAINLY not all the world is in the mood
l. OF western Europe. Colonel John Ward,
whoever he is, evidently an English officer,
speaking of the objections Of the Czecho-
Slovaks to the Kochak dictatorship, said con-
tcmptuously, THE Czechs had just iuaugu-
rated their national republican government
and they were naturally obscssed with the
usual liberty, equality and fraternity
business" ''The liberty, equality and fra
ternity" business is a great business. 1t made
America what it is today. 1t made the better
parts of Europe what they were before the
deluge came. 1t was responsible for more
than one mighty important earlier civiliza-
tion. You can't cast up the balance of this
war until you know just how much more
liberty, equality and fraternity business
is left in this world than there was in it
before August, 1914.
q q q
HoW/much 'liberty, equality and fra
IL ternity" business is there in Russia in
spite of Lenine? Europe, trying like Nine.
Tynaire's dancer to forget, does not know,
and her rulers, seeking to furnish her
panem ct circences in the shape of kaiser
trials, do not let her know. A journalist just
starting for Russia writes, "Leaying preju-
dice behind, or at any rate desiring to do so,
/ go into Russia seeking the TRUTH" vastly
more important enterprise than trying TO
convict the kaiser, which will leave the Glib
erty, equality and fraternity" business -
the real business of the world--exactly where
il was, in the muck of despond.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Answers to Yesterdays ouIz
1. Edwin II. Meredith is the new secretary
Of agriculture.
2. Anatolia is large region of Asiatic
Turkey, nearly identical with Asia
Minor, save, perhaps, for the coastal
strip.
3. A crwth pronounced crooth) is Welsh
violin. The word is another form OF
crowd, primitive Celtic violin.
4. Germantown, Pa, was once favored by
Congress as the site of the national
capital.
b. Thomas Cromwell was an English states.
man under Henry VIII. Cromwell
was on the staff Of Cardinal Wolsey
until the latter's overthrow. Later
he negotiated for the marriage Of
Henry with Anne of Cleves. Having
fallen under the kings displeasure he
was attainted by parliament and be-
headed on the charge of treason, In
1910.
6. The Virgin Islands were discovered BY
Christopher Columbus.
z. Anton Rubinstein, the celebrated plan
ist, was Russian Jew.
8. Flora was the classical goddess OF
flowers.
0. The word artillery comes through the
French from the Latin "articula."
diminutive of "ars," art.
10. Richard III, in Shakespeares play o.
the name says, Nov 10 the winter 9. o
our diScontent made glorious ssmnas's',
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

again justifes the fears of those who
have been skeptical Of any real repent
ance.
II such fragrant obduracy results in in
creased pressure on subject on which
much difference of opinion hitherto ex-
listed, it will be Germany's fault
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
PrecedeDts

Precedents arc being smashed SO f+o-
quently and so heartily NOWADAYS that tho
fact that foreign ministers hold conferences
on international affairs with members of orr
legislative bodies causes scarcely ripple of
interest.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

The Einstein theory of rclativity declares
(among other things) that bar of steel
travelling at the velocity Of light would have
its length reduced to zero. This is NOT eo
hard to BELIEVE since prohibition worked an
experiment with bar with much the same
result.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Fate and slumbering Circumstance have
yet to determine whether or not the coming
presidential campaign is to be fought on con-
structive issues. So far there is no indica-
ton of anything but passing the buck.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Testimony before the coal strike settle
ment commission in Washington is already
paving the way for the inevitable oppor-
tunity for the blessed consumer to pay the
piper.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

One of the rosiest auguries for the con.
tinuance of peace is the fact that the birth
rate is increasing in Paris, and there is ex-
pectation that it will increase throughout
France.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

New Jersey "wets'' have considerable
'kick" left, but there is as yet no indication
that they will be able to inject it into their
beverages.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Since precedent dominates law, one
wonders what effect the trial of Kolchak by
the Bolshevists will have on the trial of the
ex-kaiser by the Allies.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

If the 100000 men under arms he
tween Prague and Adrianople and between
Trieste and Bessarabia could turn their guns
into tractors there would be less danger of
famine in the Balkans.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Hdry IarTett Hay, OF
Women as Politicians the women's division
of the Republican Ma
tional Committee. says that sentiment has
crystallized among Republican women for
platform plank declaring for federal de-
partment of education, with woman at the
head. There spake the politician rather than
the statesman, There is either need for a
department of education or there isn't. If
there is need the head should be the person
best fitted for the position, be it man or
woman. To insist that the head be woman
is to make it matter of politics rather than
of fitness.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Forty eight tons of white paper were
used in printing speeches of United States
senators last session. And yet there are some
who maintain that talk is cheap.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

A dispatch from Paris states that girls
are soon to wear trousers held close to the
shoe top by strap. The Grumpy Guy says
if a daughter of his ever wears 'em that
isn't where the strap will be applied.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Advocates of reform III the state con-
stitutions who have been wont to cite the
federal constitution as an admirable eX-
ample Of what such document should be
are finding their position weakened by
national acceptance of departure from
the established tradition.
Right here in Pennsylvania we have a
commission revising the state constitu-
ton. They were confronted by the op-
portunity to wipe from the existing con-
stitution the mass of legislative detail
that cutters and confuses it and to write
an ideal declaration of principles, and an
ample grant of power to the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of the
government.
But instead the members are inserting
new legislation in the constitution, en-
balming in it offices the existence of
which should be dependent on the will of
the Legislature, and fixing their tenure so
that the incumbent can snap his fingers in
the face of the people and defy his OPP
ponents to destroy his power. They are
even indorsing the rules of procedure for
the Legislature put in the constitution at
time when it was not thought that the
regularly elected law makers could be
| trusted to conduct their affairs honestly
and with proper regard for the rights
| of all.
A constitution properly contains only
those matters dealing with the organiza-
tion of the government and with the gen.
eral exercise of the powers of its differ
ent branches The working out of the
details belongs to the Legislature under
a grant of power clearly defined, And
the powers not thus delegated remain in
the hands Of the people in the state. Un-
less the constitutional revision commits
sion adopts u radical change in policy,
some wel-nformed constitutionalist is
1 likely on his own initiative to write an
ideal constitution for the state and sub
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

There is much in the Sims Daniels con-
troversy that closely resembles the flowers
that bloom in the spring ira la.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

The Balkans will eventually show good
reason for the existence of League of Ma
tions and the necessity for the United States
being part of such league.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Every public executive sooner or later
takes note of the fact that Job was never
pestered by seekers after jobs.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

The battleship Idaho has established n
new target record with nine bulls in thirty
six shots. Fine work-though, of course. il
doesn't touch the Senate record.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Modern craftsmanship seems to have
degenerated from rail splitting to straw 4.
splitting.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

1t may be said Of the Socialist trial in
New York that nastier picture OF disloyalty
was never framed.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Germany persists in thinking that what
she was engaged in was an ordinary scrap in .
stead Of crime against humanity.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

What Germany says in effect to the
allied demand for war criminals is, Come
and get 'em."
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Joys and sorrows forever intermngle.
Five Sundays this month, but only four pay
days,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Influenza Is not SO spectacular as war,
but 1t easily takes the lead as killer.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Have you noticed how readily the critics
knock the tar out of the singer whose voice
is a little off pitch? ~
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Just how much saving there may be in
budget system depends largely on the
'tbudgeteer.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Won Hindenburg has written book
More alibs,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Kolchak is meeting with as many diverse
ates in Russia as Villa is IN Mexico.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Speaking of 'em as vehicle, most of
us will admit that we'd hate to travel with
out 'em.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
Federal
Perhaps a Trap

Perhaps a Trap arrested man in Chi
cago for carrying
whisky in his hip pocket maintain that his
trousers thus became a vehicle in the mean
ing of the dry law, and the United States
District Court has been asked to decide the
matter. When the decision is made we shall
know if the good old unmentionables are to
be cassed as a sulky, n diligence, whisky,
a growler, a unicorn, a random or mail
coach,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
seTHOSE who think

=" NIIJST WTIU CHTHk
l. b Il d y of the
world" remarks the
New Statesman, 'have
certainly all the argu
mepts on their side. AT
least so one judges as
one reads the daily
paper. The governing
classes and the Grim
inal Glasses are, both
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
What Do You Know?

QUIZ
l. Who is the new secretary Of the
treasury?
2. What river is known in China BS
"China's Sorrow" and why?
3. What is "cliche"?
4. What was the first declaration Of war
in the world war?
s. Who was Fanny Burney?
g. Name two famous painters Of ancient
Greece?
z. What is zzxjoanw?
8. How many English monarchs reigned
during the nineteenth century?
o. Who were they?
10. What was tho Newgate calendar7
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
FROM DAY, TO DAY

mood of a year or two
ago men expected Of
this war, no war has
produced nothing but
evil, as men now be-
lieve this war has.
There must be COM
,pensations; perhaps
behind the veil which
victory is trying to
throw over what it
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

Sir Oliver Lodge says the human race
has SO, ,OOO, 900 years ahead of it. Hope for
the League of Nations, after all.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

But in the matter of policy Mr.. Root is
absolutely right. 1t is a fact that the
prohibitory amendment is legislation in
that it does not deal with the functions or
the constitution Of the government.
A method of giving Congress control
over the liquor traffic that would have
been in conformity with the genius of the
federal constitution would have been to
follow the precedent established when the
income-taX amendment was adopted.
Congress was forbidden to levy capita
ton or direct taxes unless in proportion
to the population, as asccrtained by the
census. The twelfth amendment repealed
this provision and substituted for it an
authorization to collect taxes on incomes
from whatever source derived without
apportionmcnt among the states and
without regard to any census or enumera-
ton"
Now, if the prohibitory amendment had
been framed SO as to give Congress power
to regulate, even to the extent of prohibit
ing, the manufacture and sale of intoxi-
eating beverages, we should have had
merely an extension of the power of the
national legislature within the spirit of
the constitution itself.
This plan was not satisfactory to the
prohibitionists for the reason that they
wished the matter settled beyond the
probability Of change by successive Con-
crosses and to take the liquor issue out of
politics. The nation seems to have agreed
| with them that this was the best way
But it has established a precedent of
legislating by constitutional amendment
in a realm better left to the regularly
| constituted legislative body. Every good
constitutional theorist regrets the method
adopted, though few, except those re-
tanned by or affiliated with the liquor in
terests, have yet seriously questioned its
validity.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
LEGAL oUlBBLES CAN'T KILL
NATIONAL PROHIBITION
Roots Objections to Methods Of seeur-
ing It Sound, but His Denial Of the
Validity Of the Amendment
Is Special Pleading

Is Special Pleading
ENLlHU ROOT,'in arguing against the
~ validity of the prohibitory amend
mcnt to the constitution in the Feigen%
span case in Trenton, laid down an admir-
able rule of policy in constitutional
changes, but when he insisted that it was
unconstitutional to amend the consti-
tuition by inserting in it legislation
against Intoxicating beverages he went
farther than the lay mind can follow him.
The logic of his argument leads to the
conclusion that it is beyond the power Of
the nation to put anything into the con-
stitution which makes any radical change
in that document; that when it was finally
ratified the nation was bound hand and
foot by it and must submit to its limita-
tions.
This view is preposterous. 1t is legal
ism carried to the nth power. 1t is
denial of the supremacy of the people and
of their right to do what they will. If
the Supreme Court sustans this view it
will surprise every one who knows any
thing about the respect which that great
tribunal has for popular sentiment
Inc pfonlDlt0fy amendment was passed
by two-thirds of both houses of Con-
grcss. The fact that the vote was not
two-thrds of all the members is of no
Importance, because it has been held time
after time by competent authority that
two-thirds of the members present and
voting is sufficient to meet the provisions
of the constitution, both in passing con-
stitutional amendments and in overrd-
ing a veto of the President.
After Congress had adopted the amend
ment it was submitted to the states.
Forty-fve Of the forty-eight states have
ratified it in the manner prescribed by
the constitution.
But Mr. Root insists that it is invalid
because it contains legislation and be-
cause, under the constitution itself, all
legislative power is vested in Congress.
1t would be as reasonable to argue that
the seventeenth amendment changing the
method of electing senators was invalid
because it is essentially legislative and
was made by the states acting after the
amendment had been submitted by Con-
gresS in the constitutional manner
The nation has committed itself to pro-
hibtion in the most effective way con-
ceivable. To say that it had no legal
power to act in the way it has is to chal-
lenge the good sense of every citizen by a
legal quibble.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05

MEANWHILE the present mood Of deicc.
lFl ton, which almost paralyzes all efforts
at recovery, viii pass. II no war could have
preduced all the good that in the extrayagant