davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Giving Others the Blues

Secretary Houston has done what
he could to make Christmas gloomy
for the Senate Finance Committee.
AS witness before it he predicted
a deficit Of $2,10o,ooO,00O for 1921
'22 and Of $780, 100000 for 1922
'23, and warned Congress against
any further commitments like the
revival Of the War Finance Board,
advances to Germany 3r the pay
ment OF cash bonuses to war vet
erans.
The Secretary seemed very down.
hearted about the Treasury's plight
much more so than he was three
weeks ago when he sent to the House
of Representatives estimates of ap-
preparations needed next year which,
according to the chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee, "read
like fairy tale" The Administra-
tion spenders have basked in sun
shine for the last four years, and Mr..
Houston hasn't shown any DISPOSE
tion to shake them out of their pleas
ant dreams. Like a good comrade,
he hasn't even whispered deficit" in
their ears. 1t is enough for him to
carry his worries to Congress and
make that body walk the floor.
But how much better it would have
been If the Secretary had first un-
loaded his gloom on his Cabinet as
sociates. Take Mr.. Daniels and Mr..
Baker, for example. Mr.. Houston
recently passed along Navy Depart
ment estimates calling for $G58, ,0O0,-
900, although Congress allowed the
navy only $433,0O0,00O for the cur
rent year. He submitted army esti-
mates calling for $500, 100000, al
though Congress allowed only $780,
100000 at the last session.
Mr.. Daniels has been clustering
about the need Of new three year
construction program. He scorns
the idea Of an agreement by Great
Britain, Japan and the United
States to slacken construction, say
Ing that naval disarmament cannot
come until ali the nations axreo to
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Another Crime of Omission

Preceding 1914 the great crime
of commission was by Germany.
Her rulers and her people prepared
with cold deliberation for day
when they might say to the outside
world, Submit or be conquered"
But supplementing the crime Of
commission was one Of omission.
The threatened peoples would not
recognize what portended. Besotted
pacifism, having eyes but seeing not,
defeated the measures which were
indispensable if the deluge of woe
was to be avoided. The real friends
of peace were assailed as niilitarists
as no better than the Prussians.
Again the world is threatened, and
the custody of international rela-
tions is once more assumed by an
unchanged Germany and by un-
changed pacifists. Germany asks to
be allowed to reerect herself into
what she was, and her dupes are
proclaiming that fair play requires
that she be trusted with power.
Yet no sign comes that the new
Germany is safe companion. I'm
repentant and unregenerated, she
shows no regret save that the Kai-
ser did not win. Republican Ger
many does not differ much from i'm
perial Germany. Socialists vie with
monarchists in preaching hate of
France, of Great Britain, of Amer
ica.
Back Of Germany, ready to make
common cause with her, is Russia,
under her new autocratic rulers.
Poland is marked for destruction,
the new states Of southern Europe
are to be brought into the Ger
man-Russian orbit, Turkey is to be
restored, a pro-German king has
been seated in Greece, Japan is be-
ing wooed to change sides. If the
Program were written on the sky it
would not be more visible.
In the mean time besotted pacifism
is buster than before 1914. AL
ready it has gained large influence.
In England it is so strong that even
so stout fighter for the good
cause as Lloyd George bends before
it and talks Of admitting Germany
to the peace league. In France and
italy Clemenceau and Orlando have
been driven out of public life. In
all lands, on one excuse or another.
the doctrine that Germany should
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Gen. Wood in the Cabinet
Popular Demand Voiced for His
appointment as Secretary of War

Popular demand T0lced for His
appointment as Secretary of War
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In all the newspaper talk (much
Of it undoubtedly inspired) respecting
the members of Mr.. Harding's Cabinet,
no mention is made of General Wood.
Now, General Wood was the popular
candidate of the Republican party. The
people wanted him for President. On
a free-for-al vote | venture to assert
he would to-day beat any man in
America and far outdistance Mr.. Har-
ding himself. He is not only the most
popular American, but comes nearer to
reincarnating the Roosevelt spirit than
any man alive.
The people want him in Mr. Har-
ding's Cabinet as Secretary of War
They want him there because he is
eminently fitted for the job. They
know he is great reorganizing exec
utive. His whole record, and Cuba
particularlr, proves that. They know
that we might have lost the great war
but for Wood; that in the face of
hostile ton, under the great
est difficulties, he, as the genius of
Plattsburg, performed the most signal
services in the cause Of preparedness.
Without Wood and Woods trained Of
fcers America would have been too
late to turn back the hordes Of Huns,
and Pershing's eve have come, Lafay-
ette!" could never have been uttered
in time to avert the catastrophe.
And the American people want Gen.
eral Wood in the Cabinet because they
have noticed and admired the nobility
Of his character and his exemplary con-
duct throughout the shameless treat
ment to which he has been persistently
subjected by the present Administration
and the contemplate Baker.
Mr.. Harding can make no greater
mistake than to ignore General Wood.
He can perform no more popular act
thin to invite Wood to become Secre-
tary Of War.
WILLIAM NOWLAND.
New York, Dec. 22, 1920
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
His talk has alarmed the Brit

it. His talk has alarmed the Brit
ish, who, after stopping work on
capital ships, are now thinking
about resuming it. Mr.. Baker has
just submitted deficiency army esti-
mates for 1921 totaling $4,000. 900.
OF this sum $34.00000 represents
the cost of that part of the army en-
listed in excess of the strength for
which the last army appropriation
bill made provision. easy go" is
still Mr.. Bakers cheerful motto.
If Mr.. Houston had labored with
Mr.. Daniels and Mr.. Baker and
the President, drawing for them the
dark picture he now draws for tho
legislative branch, he might not have
cause to be so utterly pessimistic
about the Treasury's future. The
Administration orgy Of expenditure
is the real cause of his tribulations.
The situation is, in fact, black. But
perverse spenders like Daniels and
Baker will soon go out of Office.
Congress has shown a genuine desire
to practise economy. 1t cut S2,418,-
100000 out Of the estimates for
l919-'20 and 192o-'21. 1t may be
able to cut $1,000 100000 out of the
estimates for 1922. But this
saving will not be due to Mr.. Hous-
tons timely Intervention. 1t will be
achieved in the face of the Admin
istration's own urgent demands for
money and cool Indifference to the
embarrassments such demands have
caused.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Not Swami!

1t is not amazing that Tammany
is bringing all it's influence to bear
to secure for District Attorney
Swami the appointment to succeed
Judge Malone on the General Ses-
sions bench. That is just the sort
of effrontery, of insolent disregard
Of public opinion, of sacrifice of
judicial standards to political ends,
that is to be expected from Four
teenth Street. But it is astonishing
that Governor Smith should listen
for moment to these political enc
mics Of the bench.
Governor Smith has been a po-
litical executive; but his record has
been conspicuously free from out
rageous appointments. He mad; no
pretense of not being a Tammany
man and he has consistently aided
his machine with every resource at
his command. He has not yielded
to the baser elements of Mr.. Muir
phys organization.
After such a record, for Governor
Smith to name Mr.. Swami to q
great judicial Office would be an
outrage to public opinion and a
grievous disappointment to decent
citi>sns throughout the state. Mr.
Swami has neither the temperament
nor the ability to hold even minor
judgeship. He has made one Of the
weakest district attorneys the
County Of New York has ever had.
Only the cynical and sordid leaders
of Fourteenth Street would dream
Of urging so VIGOROUSLY unfit a
choice.
The Tribune refuses to believe
that Governor Smith will yield to
the influences behind Mr.. Swami. 1t
urges him TO rebuff these plotters
against the bench swiftly and
sternly. Tammany has not yet be-
gun to learn what clean bench
means-to the public, to the city, to
the voters. We greatly hope that
Mr.. Smith will give his organization
pointed lesson by rejecting Mr..
Swami forthwith as an impossible
and unthinkable candidate.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
VISION

How l have laughed at Heaven!
And snecred at it, and mocked!
And good folk, passing, have heard
me laugh,
And have listened-and been
shocked.
But will laugh no more at Heaven
And all the things on high:
For it was only to-day l saw
(Though you may think they were
clouds saw
A silvern group Of islands in
A Decembercolored sky.
MORR1E.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Doubts Of German Gratitude

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: was much interested in your
editorial in to-day's Tribune on "The
Best Peace Insurance" AS | under
stand, you depend on the gratitude of
those destitute children to ward Oft a
war In future. But "gratitude" has
been defined as "a lively sense of future
favors." Then, too, how about the
man that found the half frozen viper
saved its life by taking it to his bosom
end as soon as the viper warmed up it
bit its benefactor?
II we save these German children
VIII they run true to type and turn out
to be vipcrs that we have saved? Miss
Nathan's letter to Mr. Hoover is also
very much in point, think.
FRANK WHALEN
Ballston Spa, N. Y, Dec. 81, 1920
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Every productive effort toward
spreading peace and harmony through
out tbs world calls for removing the
causes Of friction by getting together
the various groups concerned for mutual
understanding. The adoption of such
methods is needed among our own
American people in the problems of race
adjustment. Representative white and
colored people who are intelligent on
the problems of race relations and who
are genuinely concerned about our coun-
try's future should meet frequently for
the purpose of aiding each racial group
to acquire better knowledge of the
good qualities in the other.
Ten years ago the National Urban
League caught this vision and has or
ganized local committees in thirty-three
cities North and South, where white
and colored members are jointly work
ing for better industrial and ncigh5or-
hood conditions of the negro popua-
ton. The living standards of the whole
community are elevated, of course, in
proportion as negro life is improved.
BY having definite program of
work calling for better housing, greater
industrial efficiency, for health educa-
ton and the reduction of delinquency,
these committees are assured an indef-
rite life and do not lose their potential
ity for service through lack of some
thing to do, as would be the case if
the committees had no definite program
before them. In prosecuting this work
Of human betterment the League uses
trained social workers, in many cases
trained Mt schools of social service IN
Boston. New York, Philadelphs and
Chicago on fellowships furnished by the
league.
The sum Of $1,000 Is now being sought
to complete the leagues national and
Nav York budgets Of $4,000 for the
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
A Navy Without Submarines

The Secretary Of the Navy, in his
recent testimony, admitted that our
submarines were far from satisfac-
tory. But he placed the principal
blame upon the builders, saying the
Navy Department would not accept
a large number of boats now under
construction. In his annual report,
however, MIR. Daniels implied that
our submarines were all right in
comparison with former German
boats, specially mentioning the claim
that they are much more "comforta-
Bile" and "habitable"! The Secretary
specializes in such rapid changes of
mind.
1t is important to get at the truth.
The following facts should be noted +:
o. There are about thirty boats
Of from 300 to 450 tons, but all un-
suitable for offshore work. The ma
jority of them have always been de-
fective, and they are now useless
except for training and local defense
purposes.
(2) There are about fifty coastal
submarines of from $50 to $50 tons
now in fair condition.
(3) There are about fifty boats,
many still uncompleted, of 300 tons
and above. Officers on submarine
duty are hoping that few of these
boats may De satisfactory; but as a
class they are rank failures.
1t appears, therefore, that our sole
sure dependence is upon the fifty
coastal submarines, which are not
intended for distant service. Thus,
nearly three years after the data
OF foreign boats became available
the Navy Department has failed to
develop any long radius boats such
as the Germans cent to our coast
In 1913, or TO provide the medium
sized and very efficient boats which
both the British and Germans built
and used in large numbers during
the World War.
The total cost Of our submarine
force TO date is approximately
SlSb,0oo,000. And we have not one
up-to-dats long range submarine fit
2or service with the feet!
a modern navy must operate en
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Jingoes Here and in Japan

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Japan Society performed
valuable public service in bringing to-
gcther Ambassador Shidehara, Ambas-
sador Morris and Judge Gary at the
scciety's dinner last week. The cordial
expressions Of friendly relations be-
tween this country and Japan as then
so well stated and enlarged upon by
these speakers were as gracious and
sincere as they we're refreshing This
prevailing sentiment of cordial feeling
between those in authority and the
people Of each country has often been
vcuched for by those in position to
know. It was shown by Messrs Van
derlip and H. w. Taft and associates
Oh their return from Japan a few
months ago and we'll described by Mr.
Taft in his interesting articles soon
afterward.
AS Judge Gary forcefully stated at
the dinner the other evening, "the jim
goes in Japan did not represent the
sentiment of the people of their own
country in their efforts to stir up
trouble" The Endorsement of this
statement by Baron Shidehara con-
demning jngoes and his reference to
national differences under such circum-
stances growing out Of mutual suspi-
cion and misunderstanding" met with
prompt and hearty response from those
present, as also his fitting reference to
each nation giving to the other "a lit
tie more credit for honesty of heart
and purpose"
The point brought out by Ambassa-
dor Morris as to the very great impor-
tcnee of our commerce with Japan, and
this of itself being sufficient to quell
the talk of conflict, was also we'll re-
ceived.
The writer is led to refer to this
subject from the fact that during and
since the war friends Of my family liv-
ing in Toxic and in position to know
the sentiment of the Japanese people
toward this country have in personal
letters repeatedly referred to the con-
ditions here mentioned, to the effect
that the noisy and aggressive jingoes
did not represent either the people of
Japan nor those in authority there.
FREDERICK w. KELSEY.
New York, Dec. %, 1872
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
From the Widow of a Frenchman

= ~~r" 49, w AN~ W ~ - ASAlSiIlIlAkl
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: An appeal from the German
women to the mothers of France an
peared in to-day's Tribune, requesting
the French government to forego deliv-
cry of the cows as provided for in the
Versailles Treaty.
How dare these German women. who.
in response to the prisoners agonned
requests for relief, poured water on
the ground before their eyes, and when
acting as nurses spat upon their food
how dare they ask for further sacri-
fees from the people whose women
their soldiers outraged and whose
country they devastated?
With conditions reversed, what would
have happened?
Let us not forget Bismarcko words
t" his soldiers in 1870: "Leave your
enemy nothing but his eyes to cry
with"
THE WIDOW OF A FRENCHMAN.
New York, Dec. &c, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
,e released from bonds finds accept

te released from bonds finds accept
hnce.
II common sense does not assert
itself, the result will be another
desperate struggle to prevent might
from overwhelming right. The out
side world cannot end German per-
versity, but it can keep itself free Of
another crime of omission. 1t can
contribute to peace by keeping
powerless, as far as may be, those
who would disturb it. The first step
toward doing this is in facing the
sad facts of existing conditions.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
"Blackguarding France
Mr.. Willard Denies That Such Writ
ing Is CongcnioI 10 The Notion

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In an editorial entitled: Black
guarding France" in your issue of De-
cember % you say attacking France
has become the favorite indoor game
OF the pro-German pacifists. Thus a
certain Robert Dell, writing from Lon
1on for the congenial columns of The
Nation, declares that France has be-
come greater danger to Europe than
Germany ever was"
1t should have been obvious to The
writer Of the editorial that the letter
of Robert Dell to which you OBJ joct vas
criticism of something which had ap-
peared previously in The Nation, fof
Mr.. Del's letter begins with the sem
tence: "In The Nation Of November
3 you suggest that the Entente might
be revived if England undertook to
help Germany to economic restoration
and thus enable her to meet her obliea-
tons to France. | wish | could think
that you are right, but the facts do
words, Mr.. Dells letter took exception
to an editorial paragraph in The Ma
ton.
Further in your editorial you say:
France is the one nation that has re-
fused to be deluded by German pro-
fessiors. She has suffered too muck
to take any chances. She does not in
tend to stand idly by and see her sac
riflces in the cause of civilization rem
dered futile
Now, The Nations paragraph was
written to make the very point that
reparation to France was the first es-
sential toward a restoration of Eu-
ropean peace, and that Frances atti-
tude was wholly underst rstandable l
quote from that paragraph as follows:
In so far as it IEngland's rapproche-
ment with Germany hastens the in
ternational healing process such
policy is desirable, but not at the ex-
pense Of reparation to France. Apart
from Frances dire need of funds and
the obvious justice of forcing repara-
tlon for wanton destruction which in
many cases served no military purpose,
but was a deliberate effort to delay
Frances economic rehabilitation, the
whole European situation fills the
French with gloomy foreboding. II
Germany car so soon fout her treaty
obligations, they argue, is she not un-
chastened, merely biding her time to
reassaIlt France always smaller than
she, and soon, perhaps, isolated from
her former allies? Her premise
is sound: Germany should ray all
that she possibly can; reparation is
one of the first and most Fundamental
steps toward peace, stability and good
will"
1t must be interchangeable that It is
the editorial columns of publication
which express its point of view rather
than the columns thrown open to its
letter-writers. Does The Tribune ex-
clude from its public letter columns
ali letters which do not coincide with
its own editorial policy? And what
would it think of the fairness Of an
attack on its policy based on letter
to the editor which took a point OF
view opposed to it's own?
OSWALD GARRISON WILLARD.
Editor.
New York Dee. % 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
One Of Those True Dog Stories

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir. A young married couple OF my ac~
quaintance owned a wire ehaired terrier,
g bright, loving little fellow which was
treated as one of the family, was an
excellent watchdog, sweet-tempercd and
happy, fond of every one and beloved
in return.
After year or so baby arrived
on the scene, and from the very first
Jerry (the dog) appeared changed
His jealousy was apparent to all; he
sulked around the house, began to stay
out nights. and snarled and snapped
when approached. He did not grow
used to the child, but when it became
absolutely apparent to him that his
nose was out of joint permanently he
went forth into the byways and hedges,
gathered unto himself clan of outlaw
dogs and proceeded to terrorize the
neighborhood. They raided chicken
yards, howled until all hours of the
morning, tore clothes off the lines on
Mondays and otherwise made them
selves general nuisances, all under the
leadership Of the disgruntled jerry.
1t was the clearest case l ever saw
Of the perversion of dogs character
through evil passions. He was almost
human in the way he went morally
broke when supplanted, as he believed,
in the affections Of those dearest to
him.
l am we'll aware that this is not an
evidence of nobility on the part of the
dog. The thing that makes it most re-
uarkable is it's ignobility
DICK ARCHER.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. %. 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
The Coming ower

UPON TAKING OVER THE TOWEF
THIS CHRISTMAS MORNING
Behold, The Boss has labored hard,
His task not always pleasant;
What say you if we give this bard
A modes. Christmas present?
And SO the sundry undersigned,
At Alexis exhortation,
Take one days column off his mind.
And grant him a vacation.
We aim to give him perfect hush
A workless day, and stilly
SO kindly pass the gliding brush,
And let US have that lily.
G. s. K.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
Lines Written After Reading MAIN Street" !"
Miss Lulu Bett," "Poor White"

Lines Written After Reading MAIN Street, u
Miss Lulu Bett," Poor White,''
and Moon Calf"
year or ago | began to feel
That perhaps. after all,
City life was unhealthy
And fetd
That it cramped the soul
AID hat life away from
The Big Town
Mouio oe freer and broader.
Now ! wouldn't trade the
Oily odors of the subway
For all the hay-scented breezes
That blow in from
The open country
On all the small towns In America,
And I'm certain that I'd rather
BE part of the vivid scene on
Fifth Avenue for one December afternoon
Than be elected Grand Sachem
OF the loyal lodge of
The Improved Order of Redmen
In Eagle Grove, Iowa,
For Life.
JOHN PErKE TooHEY.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

three planes. This Administration,
after six years warning, has COM
pletely failed to supply forces for
the upper and lower planes We
have a ome-plane, not y three-plane,
navy.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

year 1920. A. S. Frisseil, treasurer, i27
East Twenty-third Street, New York,
will gratefully acknowledge contribu-
tions.
EUGENE KINCKLE JONES,
Executive Secretary, National Urban
League.
New York, Dec. 13, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

Dulcinea's New Years card is in
process of completion by Mare Con-
nelly. 1t will be in the form of a
check, drawn upon The Bank of Good
Will, and calling for the payment to
the bearer of 365 Happy Days.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

singularly enough, no one has thought
to dig up the old college song:
Blue law blue law Blue law. blue law!
For God and country, and Lords Day
Aliancei
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
A Thorough Pess;mist

(From The Toledo BlGde)
Samuel Gompers is inc old gentle
man with an acute ear. He can hear
the elanking chains Of slavery long be-
fore others sense the feeling that All
is not peace and happiness in the world.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

MEMByR OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ths Associated Press Is exclusiveg entitled 70 the
use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to Il or not otherwise credited In this paper
and slso the local nsws Of spontsnsRas origin pup
lisnsd herein
All rghts Of republication II all ether matter
herein also reserved.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
The Standard Excuse

tFvorN The washinofon Poso
What excuse shall we give when there
Is no burleson to blame for the non
arrival Of letters We never wrote7
New-York tribune., 1920-12-25

GUARANTY
rsu can purehsss merchandlss aavattssd In ING
rRleUME with absolute satstS--tsr II dssatlsfae.
.tsn result. In any case THE Tribune guarantee
to pay your msnsy hack upss rsausst. Ne rsa tass.
Ne quahbiins. W. make sssd promptly u the
advertiser does not