davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Socialist Vote

The Socialist vote this year will
reach total of about 100000. This
figure only equals the Socialist vote
of 1912. The electorate has doubled
in size in the last eight years, but
socialism has ceased to attract the
voter. If the gain made in 1912
over 1908 had been maintained since
1912 Debs's total this year would
have been about 100000 instead
of 100000.
In 1916 the Socialist party lost
about 100000 votes, most of them
probably going to President Wilson
on the "he-kept s-out- -of-war" issue.
That loss has been made up nomi
nally this year, but only nominally,
for the normal increase, due to ma
tion-wide woman suffrage, really
covers all the gain.
The war attitude of the Socialist
party demonstrated its essentially
un-American quality. 1t had not
naturalized itself. 1t was still an
offshoot of European international
socialism, anti-patriotic and anti
nationalistic The average American
doesn't relish slackerism, nor will he
vote for a Presidential nominee puu
in prison for obstructing the execu-
tion of a draft law.
Before the war there were many
half-baked parlor Socialists. Marx
ism or Fabianism was a fad. It IS
80 no longer. We have seen Social
ist theories worked out in Russia
and quickly degenerating there into
despotism and terrorism.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
Prisoners Families
New York, Dec. 9. 1920.

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: No better. way Of reaching the
hearts Of the people can be afforded to
any one with a message than that
which you offer through the columns Of
your paper For many years YOU have
helped me speak a word lust before
CHRISTMAS that may reach the hearts in
happy homes where prosperity makes the
Yuletide bright and joyous.
My message is a plea from the mass
that will be sad. cold and drearv. N
former years you nave allowed me to
plead the cause Of the prisoners, fam
lies, those thousands of sufferers who
bear the heaviest brunt Of the burden
when man is put within the walls.
There may be higher wages and more
work to do, but this does not affect the
dependent women with their young
children when the bread winner is in
prison, whereas the higher rent and
greater cost for clothing and food
stuffs make her struggle for existence
the greater. We want to provide for
HNAtNA GUS VI llltle CnllQre0 clothing.
toys and food at this Christmas season
Letters will pour in to me from all the
prisons in the land giving me the ad-
dresses of the needy ones whom we
may help.
] should be very grateful if your
readers will remember those who are
needy and help us to play Santa Claus
to the little ones who, some of them,
have not even stockings TO hang up.
The Volunteers of America is an in
corporated society, our books are open
for inspection and arc properly audited.
Every dollar contributed will go di-
rectly to the need of those we serve.
Articles Of clothing, toys or money
should be addressed to Mrs. Ballington
Booth, Volunteers of America, "a West
Twcnty-eighth Street, New York City.
MAUD B. BOOTH.
New York, Dec. 1, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Testimony of the Premiums

One portion of Mr.. Enright's care
fully prepared defense was based
upon certain facts" of burglary in
surance. 1t is no better and no worse
than the rest of his plea. But it is a
peculiarly clear-cut illustration of
his conception of truth.
Mr.. Enright, in his effort to prove
that there was no crime wave, cited
as chief witness "an officer of the
Casualty and Surety Company of
New York" who had made the writ
ten statement" that "there has been
no recent increase in burglary insur-
ance rates in this city excepting that
an additional 20 cents per thousand
has been charged for policies
amounting to $1,000 or less This
lie followed with some choice re-
marks about "hysterical roasting
and lying" preceding a municipal
election.
Now, the officer of the surety COM
pany in question is identified as Mr..
Samuel B. Brewster. He admitted
to The Tribune yesterday that his
company had not been long in the
burglary insurance field and that
when he spoke of Arecent increases"
he meant within "the last few
months" AS to the facts there is not
the slightest question. If Mr.. En-
right does not know them, if he was
so uniformed and ingenious as to
take Mr.. Brewster's statement as
meaning anything Of Importance, he
is not fit to be Police Commissioner.
Ii he does know them, his statement
was cheap effort to deceive,
The facts are, by the unanimous
testimony Of every burglary insur-
ance company officer, that within the
last year there have been increases
ranging from 10 to 20 per cent in
burglary insurance rates. Mr.. En-
right, perhaps, does not call these in
creases recent" But they are
material evidence as to the existence
Of crime wave; they are statistics
that DO not lie.
1t will be noted that as to this par
ticular portion of Mr.. Enrights de-
fense there was opportunity to check
it up with an accessible and public
record. Tie result gives an interest
ing hint as to just how Mr.. Enright's
statistics based on the secret records
Of his department will check up be-
fore an investigating committee.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11

bitter disappointment when Luden-
dorff refused to make good the
Kaiser's promise Of a drive against
Salonica.
Constantine was consistent in his
partisanship for Germany and in
his duplicity toward the Allies. He
telegraphed through his minister in
Berlin early in August, 1914: 'The
Emperor William III knows that
my personal sympathies and politi-
cal opinions draw me toward him."
He lived vigorously up to that con-
fession. Germany being powerless
to help him now, he is merely try
ing to square himself with the
Allies by little airy perjury.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11

were, at both ends, and the ballooning of
gas prices does not help in smoothing
out the ruff}ed feelings of ye early riser
who has to start the day by turning on
more expense.
Who wants to slop around, anyway,
on wet April afternoon after the
grind is over or pick imaginary apples
off the stately trees in City Hall Park
on a frosty afternoon in October?
I say, like General Grant, Let US
have peace" for seven months in the
year. anyway, and then we may be in
clined to change our habits for the other
five and try a race with the sun.
New York, Dec. 8, 1920. EDH.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
Constantine's Periuries

Constantine lays his hand on his
heart and tells the world: "I have
never been pro-German, nor was |
well disposed to Germany in the
war" 1t is polite disavowal on
the part of a worried king in exile.
He realizes painfully that his resto-
ration will irritate the Allies, who
know as well as he does how pro-
German his record was. The rec
ord will count, not the pose.
There are multitudinous proofs of
Constantine's pro-Germanism. He
pretended to be well disposed toward
the Entente, although he persistently
obstructed its policies. Passarof, the
Bulgarian Minister in Athens, tee-
graphed his government on Septem-
Der %, 1915, that the King had said
to him. Owe are going to act now
with Austria and Germany. 1t would,
therefore, be suicide if, in opposing
you, we were to declare war against
two great powers"
Greece had treaty alliance with
Serbia binding her to go to the
lattcr's aid were she attacked by
Bulgaria. At the moment he was
giving these assurances to the Bul-
gars Constantine was permitting a
mobilization Of the Greek army. pre-
sumably to carry out the Serbian
treaty but really only to bam
boozle Premier Venizelos and the
Entente diplomats.
Serbia fell and the King prevent
ed Greece from lifting a hand to
save her. A year later, when the
Bulgarians contemplated Selling
part Of Greek Macedonia, Constan-
tine promised Berlin not to make
any opposition. His Minister of War,
General Yanakitsas, ordered the
local Greek commander to deliver
guns and fortresscs without blow.
Oie NrceK DIVISION was cut off and
had to surrender, being "interned"
later in Germany.
For more than year prior to his
expulsion Constantine continued in
secret correspondence with the Ger
mans. He besought them to attack
the Allies armies in northern
Greece and promised to cooperate
by operating in Sarrail'w rear. He
and Queen Sophie expressed their
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11

Democratic members. Tax revision
must come, but it cannot be whistled
through Congress in jazz time. The
revisers will have to work long and
patiently before they can reconcile
enough interests to vote through a
tolerable compromise. And they
can do this only if they have the
unlimited lceway offered in an ex-
ira session.
The country wants revision, but it
also wants workable and beneficial
revision. The big job at this session
is to reduce expenditure and cut gov
ernment overhead, so that next year
tax revision may mean actual tax
reduction.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
An Award Is Questioned
To the Editor Of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Why is the Nobel peace prize
to be awarded to President Wilson? Is
1t because he kept this nation unpre-
pared for three years after the out
break of the World War? Because he
urged us to be neutral in word and
thought?' Because he was "too proud
to fight and urged "peace without vic
tory ~ Is it because che kept us out
of war" until reelected or because Of
his wonderful Cabinet appointments ?
Is he rewarded because he kent
Roosevelt from any participation in
the war and punished Leonard Wood
Tor lnstlgating the preparedness move
ment?
Perhaps the Nobel prize is to be
awarded to President Wilson because
he went to Europe and introduced dis
cord into the peace conference. or be-
cause he has kept this country at war
for two years after the signing of the
"rmlstice. Then, again, it may be be-
cause OF his lcniency to conscientious
obJcctors and German war plottors.
GEORGE ii. HORNE JR.
Woodhavcn, N. Y, Dec. 8, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
In the Worst Of Us

There should be no hero-worship
Of the five men who died in little
less than an hour at Sing Sing at
the hand OF the people Of The State
Of New York. They were human
nature at its worst-or far from it's
best in any estimate and with every
allowance for misjudgment. But
there can be a worship Of human
nature as exhibited in these five men
who met death, deliberate, terrible
death, pluckily, gayly.
What are the mental processes of
a man, weak Of will and docr of a
fearful crime, who can yet march to
his grave with q song on his tongue
and smile on his lips? A conscious
will to be brave, to die game, can
account for some cases, hardly for
all. Rather has bravery become,
through long training in the rigors
OF life, almost second nature to man.
It is not the brute instinct to fight
there was no hope in that Sing Sing
room; there was no chance to fight
back; there was no effort to escape!
The courage shown is a high
human quality. essentially social in
its origin, born Of the deep desire
which all men feel to be thought we'll
Of by their fellows. Most Of these
men knew little Of such things. But
so far as their light shone, accord
ing to their code, they did all that a
human being could do. Let the fact
be remembered to soften the tragedy
of those left behind and in honor of
much-abrsed human nature that at
its worst shares something of the
glory Of the best.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Immigration Emergency

The test vote of 151 for and but 8
against the Johnson bill for a two
year suspension of immigration
leaves little doubt as to the result of
the final roll call in the House. Nor
IS it going too far to say that the
House seems correctly to interpret
the present opinion Of tie country.
The Johnson bill is an emergency
one, it's operation self-imited to two
years. The emergency with which
it deals has double source. There
is a coincidence of unemployment
here and an exceptionally large num-
Der in Europe waiting for ships
Doubtless the number out Of WORK
here is exaggerated, and likewise the
number of would-be immigrants, but
that an emergency exists viii scarcely
be challenged.
Within two years a return to more
normal conditions may be expected
both at home and abroad. The
country will be able then to
Judge more intelligently than now
what permanent immigration policy
should be adopted; will be able to
determine more accurately the weight
that should be given to the respcctive
claims of the Americanization prin-
ciple and the demands for more man
power to carry forward the coun-
try's economic development.
A guess, however, can be made as
to the economic effect of exclusion.
For nearly six years, in fact if not
by law, we have had a suspension
Of immigration. The consequences
have been an enormous shortage Of
unskllled labor and of workers in do
nestle service, and likewise of agri-
cultural laborers. A continuance of
the suspension naturally means an
increased cost of many essential i'm
provements and a higher cost in the
production OF food supplies.
That American unskilled labor will
be protected by the suspension is, of
course, not open to question. But in
the main native-born Americans are
not unskilled workers. Whether the
skilled and machine workers of the
country will be helped is open to
grave question. A carpenter or a ma
son does not get work unless there is
some one to wheel barrow or to
carry nod.
AS to Americanization no effective
policy has ever been followed. The
johnson bill adds nothing in this re-
spect. 1t leaves everything to time
and the individual contacts Of the
foreign born. Congress talks much
Of the need Of Amcricanization but
does nothing to secure it. The
Gulick plan to make the volume of
immigration from particular coun-
try proportionate to the number
from the same people already here is
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11

unable to get even consideration,
being dismissed as an impossi-
ble ideal.
The political mind, having been
persuaded that the public wants a
putting up of the bars, plunges for
ward to obey orders without much
consideration of probable results.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Need Of immigration

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In giving the Overwhelming vote
to the Republican party this nation ex-
pected an era of welfare aAd prosperity.
However, the passage of measure
stopping immigration for any length Of
time will bring about great disappoint-
mcnt. Among other evils, it will rem
der moro acute the high cost of living.
from which workingmen, as we'll as the
general public, will suffer. This coun-
try needs immigration as our lungs
need air
The measures proposed have been
prompted by the fact that large num-
bers Of immigrants have not learned
our language. and. therefore, have not
become Amcricanized. But this is not
their fault. Immigrants are anxious to
learn the language of this country
Many thousands have gone to the
schools, but they left because they
could not learn-they could not under
stand the teachers. Our classes for be-
ginners are not what they should be
for immigrants Of slow mental grasp,
who form the masses.
Make these classes for beginners ef-
hcient and they will tocm with i'm
migrants; and once the aliens are grad
uatcd from the classes for beginners
they will continue through the higher
classes and add valuable increment
to our citizenship. Efficient classes for
beginners Will do more for Americana
zation than any drastic measure against
immigration. N. BEHAR,
Managing Director National Liberal
immigration League.
New York, Dec. 9, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
Give rimary a Chance
4 Republican Pleads Against Reoeal
and for Improvement of Lam

and for Improvement of Lam
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: understand that Governor-elect
Miller believes that the direct primaries
should be abolished, and promises to
turn back to the old method of boss.
selection of candidates exclusively.
l am a Republican. l have voted for
Republican candidates for nearly twenty
years. Nevertheless, there seem to me
to be several things bigger than the
Republican party-bigger than any
party. There are principles and ideals
which the party cannot afford to aban-
don, and the direct primaries is one of
these.
am not alone in believing that the
recent crushing defeat of Wilson De-
mocracy was not necessarily a Republi-
can victory. Back in the minds of thou
sands Of voters who during the sum-
mer and fall Of 1920 were casting about
for cure for our national ills was a
deep, controlling thought-not of par
ties, but of men! Yes, and principles.
Some, no doubt, contributed to the
present Administrations spectacular
overthrow because of Lincoln or Nc
Kinley or Roosevelt. With others it
may have been the sound financial pro-
gram which has generally obtained when
the Republican party was in power, or
perhaps it was the principle of a pro-
tective tariff. 1t might have been the
Socialist or some other party which had
produced these men or these principles.
The landslide would have been toward
them.
1t might be educating to some of the
party's self-apponted guardians to be
able to see how few thought of them
in their decision in November-except
with doubts. Personally, | believe the
powers made a bad break at Chicago.
But let that pass. 1t will not be re-
membered against the party if it makes
good. But it will count as. black
mark, and be just so much bigger and
blacker in proportion as the party fails
in other perhaps more important trusts.
The direct primary is one of these.
Why not try to make it more workable?
Give it a chance to prove its worth.
something to interest the voters. Some
have called it dishonest law. Can an
inanimate thing be dishonest? Is it not
rather those who are responsible for
its imperfections who are dishonest
those who did all in their power to
pull its teeth" before letting it 20 on
the statute books?
But if in its present imperfect shape
it plays so nicely into the hands Of the
professional politicians why do they
hate it? Is it not that it leaves one
opening-just one small opening
through which the Independent voters
Of the state may, when sufficiently
aroused, enter and claim what is their
own, and sweep it and purge it of its
spoilers?
Never, it seems, WAS any party's hold
upon the people so weak as at the
present time, and it looks to be very
bad time for the leaders of the Repub-
lican party to try their hand at dis
franchising the people. Rather, I think,
should my party cndeavor to extend
representative government in every pos
sible way. A. S. JAY
Orient, N. Y, Dec. 9, 1920.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Coming ower
To Maecenas
Horace; Book l, Ode

To Maecenas
Horace: Book 1, Ode 4
""Aaecenas. atavis edtte ve0tbus'
Some birds enjoy the yelling crowd
And for applause they'd stoop to fight;
They like to hear the plaudits loud
From morn till night.
And then again there's guys believe
That if they store up grain, forsooth,
The godlike heights they will achieve.
And that's the truth.
! don't agree with Omar K.
That Massic underneath bough,
A lady, and some versea gay
Are fun enow.
Nor yet do I approve the goof
Who likes TO hear the buglcr blow;
He's solid bone from neck to roof,
Believe ME, bo.
With ivy on my learned brow,
III tell the world I'm setting jake;
don't need cheers to tell me how
l take the cake.
And if the Skipper says to me,
"say, Bud, you've something ON the
ball."
I'd answer back, "Why, shucksl o geel
gosh!" that's all.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Japanese Question

The intelligent statesmen of
Japan are too we'll versed in history
and have too great knowledge of the
usages of nations to deny the un-
assailable right of America to de-
eide who and what may enter her
gates.
The right to exclude is most
ancient. exemplified in all ages.
Japan applied it in an extreme form
for thousand years-even yet pre-
scribes the conditions under which
the foreigner may come to her.
So any protest from Japan
against the exclusion of her citizens
win not be well grounded. Indeed,
in the Root-Takahira negotiations
the principle that country may. ex-
clude was not challenged The only
difference of opinion was over
whether there could be selective eX-
clusion, Japan admitting she might
not object if similar rules were ap-
piled to all
As to this point 1t is sufficient to
say that in all times exclusions have
Leen chiefly fer race reasons, The
practical difficulties arising out Of
admitting into populations elements
i.a. easily assimiiabe are patent.
The magnitude of the very great
g.robien, here. through the pres
Ance OF 100000 of the African
race. warns against creating a group
oe ether millions of Asiatics. The
future may subdue all hucs TO ore
color but the time is not yet. In
me mean tlne it makes for social
harmony 10 keep together those who
are alike.
In her foreshadowcd declarations
pan. in effect, comedies the valid
" OF the American position. She
'eclares her readiness to open her
new island possessions to unrestrct-
ed settlement and III the same
breath complains Of the refusal Of
ne United States to grant her
eraal;ts. II a word. she offers to
make bargain. Now, when there is
bargaining ei-ner side Is at liberty to
eject the proposed trade.
Unfortunately, Japo American
relations have been so discussed
and handled in this country
IS seemingly to justify japanese
suspicion. There has been ma
..gnant effort to foster animosity
and hate. The maiehcent influence
of The Hearst publications has been
highly prejudicial. Japan has
been steadily lied about and in
suited. This campaign has incvi-
tably provoked epercussions in
Japan. The japanese people are
wiling enough to listen to reason,
but their pride and self-respect
revc'. against continuing slander.
The japanese are not such luna
ties as to dream Of trying to force
the acceptance Of a policy Of un-
restricted immigration. They realize
that to do this it would be necessary
not merely to overrun, but to hold
permanently, all American territory
west Of the Rockies. But, like any
other people, the Japanese are ca
pable Of putting their honor ahead
of all other interests and of becom-
ing cur persistent enemy in Asia
So, though we firmly adhere z
our right Of restricting immigra-
ton as We please, let us avoid com
plicating the issue Let us frowr
on all war-inciting talk Of hostile
coaling stations off our coasts ane
on all attacks on the Japanese
people as tricky and dishonest
japanese batting is pastime which
true Americans viii not engage in
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Monkey or the Parents2
To the Editor of The Tribune.

IL tNe GulIOr OF 1ne IrlDune.
Sir: If the thyroid gland Of an organ
grinders entertaining assistant has the
power to transform into a normal per
son nineteen-year-o girl who is de-
formed in body, practically blind, has
the mind of child of eight years and
has lived, eaten and slept in a cellar
for eighteen years, then what becomes
of the monk? A creature whose thy
roid gland is so all-powerful that it can
annul the results of eighteen years.
cruelty of inhuman parents is entitled
to something even better than trading
It's thyroid gland for front-page news
paper item. If the girls parents have
kept her in a cellar for eighteen years,
1t Is plain tina. they are not entitled to
any glands worth mentioning, and it
seems to me that their thyroid glands
should have been transferred to the
monkey. No matter how worthless the
glands of the parents might be, the
monkey could turn them into something
worth owning, and by having an extra
gland in stock he could, without in
convenience to himself or the organ
grinder, be able to part with one when
next called upon to uplift and trans
form member Of the human race.
MAY PHILO.
New York Dec q 1000
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
The Five Months Plan

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: J. A. C.'s arguments in favor of
limiting the daylight saving months to
five instead of seven are sound and
constructive. The months of April and
October-the Genesis and Exodus OF
summer-nro plentifully strcwn with
dark days that have to be "lit," as il
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
J. H. A.

An additional tax Of 1870 on theater
tickets would ruin the business. be-
lieve the managers. That is, If the gov
ernment is the sole beneficiary.
New-York tribune., 1920-12-11

You can purchas. merchandise Advertised sn TIE
'flsuhE ws.h absolute ssfetN-for II dissatisfas-
ton results In any cass The TRIBUNE guarantee
ie your money tack uaon request NJ RED taps.
TO uulbbing. We make aoou promptly IL the
tategtssf HO.