davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Ihirteen-Month Calendar
To the Editor Of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Some years ago, in the reign of
Queen Victoria, an Englishman pro-
posed new calendar which would con-
tain thirteen months of twenty-eight
days each. There would be an inter
GALAXY day between every two years
and an additional one every four years.
"Victoria" was suggested as a name
Tor the extra month at the end Of the
year in honor of the reigning queen.
The great advantages in the revised
calendar are as follows: 1t dispenses
with complicated operations when COM
putting interest in the business world.
1t does away with the difficulty of de-
termining the day of any given date.
Should any one object that great
confusion would prevail during the
change, it could be said that it has
been done before-"since Washington
time" His birthday fell on the 18th
OF February, but, according to our
calendar, it is on the 22d.
With the suggested calendar, when
computing any given date in accord
ance with the reckoning, the following
rule would apply: Find which day of
the 365 the date is. Divide this num-
Der by twenty-eight; one plus the
integer of the quotient will indicate
the month, and the remainder will be
the date Of it. If there is no remain
Ger, 1t is the 28th of the preceding
month. RUTH KRUSKAI.
New York, July 4. 1921.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Parcel Post Wastage

Postmaster General Hays is going
to second General Dawes's effort to
lower the government operative
costs by investigating the workings
of the parcel post system.
Some experts estimate the loss on
this service at $8o,O00,O0O a year.
But present accounting methods
make it difficult to figure out the
real expense Of the express business
which the Postoffice Department has
taken on in recent years. Western
mining companies, it has been dis
covered, are using the mails for ship
ping ores, and in the cities many re-
tail merchants make deliveries
through the parcel post. The gov
eminent is therefore doing trans
portation business at rates which
are suspected Of piling up large
deficits.
1t used to be argued that since the
postal service was largely an agency
of public education it could afford to
allow non-paying rates on some
classes OF matter. Congress took
that view for years with regard to
publications. In handling these
profit wasn't considered. But with
the enlargement of the parcel serv-
ice, which is almost entirely. COM
mercial, the government faces diff
ferent situation. Why should the
public pay losses occasioned in the
distribution of merchandise, which
has no educational value?
The Postofiice Department has a
large overhead which isn't reckoned
into the cost of operation. 1t uses
buildings owned or rented by the
government. 1t pays no taxes. There
are other invisible factors of ex-
pense. The service is a public one,
for the public benefit. Yet it would
be just as false economy to run it
at loss as it was false economy for
the Federal railroad administration
to run the railroads at loss, and
thus to saddle a deficit of $780,
100000 on the Treasury.
There should be no laxity in Fed
eral business operations. Mr.. Hays
is right in seeking to discover what
classes of mail it isn't advantageous
to carry at present rates and to stop
the leakages. The postal service as
whole should show profit, and
that profit could well be devoted to
its betterment.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Grade Crossing Safeguards
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In a letter to The Tribune re-
garding the accident at South Amboy
in which several firemen were killed at
railroad crossing &C. J. T." suggests
that the grade crossing gates swing, as
in Great Britain, instead of being
raised, as is the custom here.
The conditions are different, how
ever, in England. The few grade
crossings are at country lanes with
light traffic, both rail and road. The
gate is kept closed to teams and at
tended by the station staff or agent
tender, who lives in a cottage near the
crossing.
Here we have grade crossings where
there are as many as a dozen tracks.
The swinging gates would be too un-
wieldy.
The authorities Of South Amboy
have declared that they are going to re-
duce the speed of trains, but say not a
word about reducing the speed of auto
mobiles. They assume the attitude
that they are going to make the rail
road cause its trains to slow down
through the town. Should other towns
follow suit, the result would be that
500 people would be delayed one to ono
and half hours in reaching Barncgat.
Slowing down trains was tried in
Chicago before the tracks were raised,
but it would not work, as the commut-
ers had something to say about it.
Stringent laws should be enacted curb
ing motor vehicles. Indiana has law
requiring all vehicles to stop at rail
road crossings. JOHN FRANCIS.
New York, JULY 9. 1921
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
No Regrets

In the course of his Fourth OF July
speech in London Ambassador Har-
vey is quoted as having said: eff
George III had issued proclamation
even approximating in eloquent sim
cerity and appealing force that ut
tered the other day by George V in
his faithful endeavor to reconcile a
nation there would have been no
ringing of bells in Philadelphia 145
years ago this night nor for many
years thereafter"
The "might-have-beens" of history
furnish interesting speculation, but
they may we'll be avoided when they
concern the past relations of coun-
try to which an ambassador is cred
tied and the country which he repre-
SCENTS. A large and inclusive silence
is often the best contribution of
Doubtless the Ambassador
did not mean to hint that he re-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Christian Endeavor

Few Of the innumerable gatherings
of which New York has been the
place merit more thoughtful .atten-
ton than that which opens tonight.
1t will be attended by something like
twenty thousand delegates from
every state Of this Union and from
majority of the countries of the
world, and among it's speakers will
be some of the worlds most eminent
men.
1t is known as the sixth worlds
convention of the Christian En-
deavor Society. In fact, it is more
than this. 1t is practically the forti-
eth anniversary commemoration Of
that organization, and thus brings to
us an edifying reminder of a re-
markable career. Forty years ago
last February young and compare
lively unknown pastor of an incon-
spicuous church in small New Eng
land city organized a society among
the young people of his congregation
for the promotion of Christian en-
deavor, or the practical application
of Christian principles to everyday
life. To-day the organization has
more than four million members, and
its founder, Francis E. Clark, is one
of the most widely known and most
beloved of all contemporary spiritual
leaders.
Success succeeds" Such a record
of growth is in itself sufficient vindi-
cation and commentator of this or
ganization. Yet it will be profitable
for others to consider the secrets Of
that marvellous success. These are,
we should say, chiefly three. One is
its practicality. 1t aims at making
the essential principles of Christian
ity not a matter of preaching one
day a week but of living and acting
seven days week. Another is it's
cathoiicity. 1t is confined to no one
church, denomination or creed. 1t
does not seek to abolish denomina-
tional lines, but on a basis which
transcends them all it provides an
agency through which adherents of
all Christian creeds may harmoni
ously cooperate. The third is its
sincerity. Nobody has ever suspect
ed it of any hsidious propaganda, of
any Interior purposes beyond those
openly and frankly avowed.
There has been much talk in re-
cent years about the decline of the
churches, for which iRAome respects
and in some directions there is in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Americans ON the Rhine

The French expression renfant
terrible describes the pestiferous
child who upsets and annoys it's
elders. One of it's worst habits is
to blurt out some unpleasant but
tactless truth in such a manner as
to cause embarrassment.
To Mr.. Wilson Senator Johnson's
ou.bursts about American troops in
Russia must have been strangely
reminiscent of the traditional PEN
fant terrible. Is Mr.. Harding going
to find the same thing about Sem
ator johnson and Germany? Demo-
cratic newspapers count on Senator
johnson to attack the President
about removing our forces from
Germany. They expect the irrecon-
ciliables, like Brutus, Cassius and
the others, to bring him low and
apparently reserve the giving of the
"most unkindest cut of all' for a
distinguished Senatorial scholar from
New England. But they place their
main hopes on the Senator from
California.
So far as the technical aspect of
the question is concerned, the case
in favor of prompt withdrawal is
confused. The troops are in Co.
blenz under the terms Of the armis-
tice. Has the signing Of the peace
abolished these terms?
So far as it's practical side is con-
cerned, the incalculable value of
American troops on the Rhine is
that they remind Germany that we
stand with the Allies in the matter
of full reparation for the damage
done. To have withdrawn before
Germany ceased haggling over pay
ments would have been most un-
fortunate.
To withdraw now, of course, can
not be logically interpreted by the
German people as split with the
Allies-but Germany has a habit of
not being logical. Until all dan
ger is past neither Senator johnson
nor any Of his colleagues is likely
to effect much, to use a phrase
of Lawrence Godkin, by "hol-
lerin' and bellerin'" concerning
matter that clearly belongs to the
Executive.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Use for Discarded Ships
To the Editor Of The Tribune

10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: At last it looks as If scne-
thing is to be done with the several
hundred wooden vessels built during
the late crazy spell when graft and in
efficiency ran amuck, to the cost Of the
general public, who are now holding
the sack
Would it not be possible TO use tae
bulls of these vessels by sinking them
as revetments or bulkheads at tho
mouths of such rivers as the Missis-
sippi or the Columbia, or even here and
there along the coast line where needed
as protection against sea encroach-
ment-Barnegat, for example?
Those of US who know San Francisco
are aware that numberless hulks, old
time vessels deserted by their crews
during the gold rush of 40, compose
great deal of the foundation OF what
was formerly the foreshore of the city
and is now solid ground, covered with
buildings, from the Market Street fsss
ry house to California StreeI.
l do not think the Shipping Board
could induce any one who knows ships
to take one Of these wretchsd "iinxes'
as gift. I think the best way out OF
the mess is to write them of and "for-
get it," But they might be Of some rss'
as said before, as breakwaters, revet-
ments. or coast protection barriers.
This, however, is matter for expert
engineers to pass upon, and the gov
eminent, no doubt, has many versed IN
coast protection, channel and break
water work.
The time seems to have come for
something drastic to be done, and done
quickly. SO that the country can ges
back into its oldtime industrial swing
after much-needed cleanup OF
useless material, general demorsliss-
ton and lack of morale left us by an
incompetent and unhusinessliks Ad-
ministration. G. X.
New York. July 4, 1921. y
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Down With High Heelsl
To the Editor of The Tribune

10 the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: What must be the denlora ble
state Of mind Of the vast number of
women seen upon the streets wabbline
in peg heels halfway under the insteps
OF their narrow, sharp-pointed soles
Are they aware Of the menace to their
health from wearing such shoes? What
is the motive that causes them to do
SO, with much discomfort, when the
style is opposed to good appearance
and taste and common sense?
The manufacturer is partly response
BILE in having made such shoes, which
the customer has to take or have shoes
made to order. ! believe that women
of wealth, who mainly go and come in
their cars and seldom walk, and who,
therefore, can wear such heels and
soles, have set the uncouth fashion,
When engaged in sports they wear
suitable shoes.
When see woman wearing a sensi-
BILE low heeled and broad soled shoe l
feel an alteration for her refined taste
and good breeding. Let the highly
bred, refined and charming women of
our land set an example to their sex
by changing the present fashionable
style to one Of hygienic pattern. The
women's clubs might profitably discuss
this matter. JAMES r. PITCHER.
New York, July 4, 1921.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Haytii' S Aid in 1879
How Eight Hundred of Her Freed
men Fought for America

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The generous Haytian contri-
button to the cause of the independ-
ence of the United States is scarcely
known in this country, for the Ameri-
can historians do not mention the fact.
IN l779, twentyfour years before
Haytian independence, responding to
the call of the Comte d'Estaing, the
"Affranchis," that is to say the Hay
tan freedmen, numbering about 800
blacks and mulattocs, left their fami-
lies and their homes and went to fight
side by side with the soldiers of
George Washington. At the siege of
Savannah the colored sons Of Hayti
fearlessly shed their blood for the in
dependence Of the United States.
In an official record prepared in
Paris, secured by Richard Rush. the
American Minister to Paris in 1S49,
end preserved in the Pennsylvania
Historical Society, are these words:
This legion saved the army at Savan-
nah by bravely covering its retreat.
Among the blacks who rendered signal
services at that time we're: Andre,
Beauvais, Rigaud, Villatte, Beauregard,
Lambert, who latterly became generals
under the convention, including Henri
Christophe, the future King of Hayti."
The Haytian legion in the army of
Comte d'Estaing was known as Fon-
tages's legion, commanded by Vicomte
de Fontages. They met the fierce
charge Of Lieutenant Colonel Maitland
and saved the retreating Franco-Amer-
lean army from total disaster.
The Haytian people know that the
great American nation, burning for
liberty and justice, having the highest
traditions of political ideals and hui
man solidarity, the champion Of the
defenseless peoples Of the world, is al
ways working for the happiness Of
mankind.
Having aided the united colonies Of
North America in 1910 to achieve their
independence, the Haytian people re-
main convinced that they can TO-DAY
expect from the spirit of justice and
humanity Of the American people and
their present government q more atten-
tive consideration Of Hayti's freedom
rights and interests.
STENTO VINCENT.
New York, July 4, 1921.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Marines Gather Daisies
And VIII Distribute Gifts of Flowers
Among City Children

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Last week, while on q srip
through the towns along both sides Of
the Hudson River, in the interest Of
recruiting for the Marine Corps, my
men and myself availed ourselves of
the opportunity TO gather load of
daisies which were in full bloom, and
upon our return these were eagerly
sought by the Riddles around town.
am impressed with the idea that
inasmuch as the Marine Corps is to
have lull in recruiting during July
and August our time could not be more
profitably spent than by trimming the
daisy fields and distributing the flow
ers to the little children of New York's
East Side and at the various hospitals.
1t Is my intention to make trips up
state with my men and gather what
flowers we can and dispose of them to
the youngsters. 1t has entered ny
mind that if were to bring this work
to the attention of your readers there
are perhaps many among them who
have flower gardenseor fields and who
would like to assist the marines in
this work. If so, if they will COM
municate with me at "a East Twenty
third Street I will be only too glad to
have the Marine Corps truck call for
the flowers, or have my men gather
and distribute them to the children,
knowing full well that to child
flowers are one of the dearest joys.
know of no better way to use tie
idle hours forced upon US than BY
bringing what cheer and gladness we
can to Gods greatest gift-the little
children. HARRY W. MILLER,
Second Lieutenant, U. S. NC.
New York, July 5, 1891.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
On Giving Up Money
II the Editor of The Tribune.

II the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Yesterday 10000 people paid to
see modern prizefight in the So
called interest of clean sport. The
contestants fought for half a million
dollars. | am not kill-joy. believe
in all kinds of sport, including the
right to quench my thirst when it can
be done. But won't these enormous
purses kill all sport?
We have thousands to-day, particu-
larry ex-service men, who are badly in
reed of the real things in life. l just
wonder If the people who paid for the
fight yesterday were taxed a nickel on
the dollar for pensions and other
things which the men who defended the
honor of the United States need-I saw.
I wonder if they would yell Robbery! ="
and run down the government?
JOHN M'GLYN,
Seaman.
New York, July 8, 1921.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06

deed much cause. Perhaps it, may be
profitable for those who are serious-
ly concerned about empty pews and
powerless pulpits to review the rec
ord Of the Christian Endeavor Soci-
ETY. and to consider whether it might
not be possible to solve the problem
of the churches by the application of
it's principles to them.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Ulster

Irish Home Rule has split many
times when about to make port, as
impartial students of the Irish ques-
tion are aware, has been Ulster.
For a long time the British gov
eminent has been ready and willing
to give the fullest measure of local
autonomy which is consistent with
reasonable imperial safety provided
the two ends of Ireland could be
brought into agreement. In the
controversy, from time to time, many
secondary obstacles have arisen, but,
speaking broadly, they have come
from the fact that in the island of
Ireland are two nations, not one.
The smaller one is not willing to
trust itself to the governance of the
larger, and the larger one has not
priced Home Rule enough to make it
willing to consent to what it is
pleased to call partition of Ireland.
As often as northern Ireland pro-
posed to continue it's historic con-
nection with Great Britain the heart
Of the south Irish Pharaoh has
hardened and has refused to let
Ulster go.
The problem Lloyd George and
General SHUTS, as a missionary of
the British government, and De
Valera and those who have met him
In secret conference are tussling
with is the same one which Asuuith
and John Redmond could not solve.
Is compromise possible? Or will
southern Ireland yield, or will north
ern Ireland?
Of backdown by southern Ire
land there is not much likelihood.
Ulstermen, standing on what to
them is their fatherland, cannot see
themselves under the power of the
Sim Fem. They are stubborn
and In many ways superior folk,
and when they abated their pref
erence for complete union with
Great Britain and consented to set
up separate government, which is
to be, if southern Ireland agrees,
united with the other part of Ireland,
they think they went as far as could
be expected.
listers case, with all the sane
titles of self-determination behind it,
is hard to meet. 1t is practically
impossible for any one to plead for
Irish freedom in one breath and to
deny Ulster freedom in the next.
The only argument that the Sim
Fem leaders have so far offered is
to proclaim a boycott on. Ulster
goods. The quick resort to this
measure of coercion is calculated to
excite rather than quiet Ulster ap-
prehensions of the treatment she
would receive in an all-Ireland Par
Lament. AS to the guarantees of a
square deal which the Sim Fein
leaders promise, this cannot sound
plausible to Irishmen who say that
England's guarantees are worthless
as long as she keeps power in her
hands.
Lloyd George will doubtless do all
he can to induce Ulster to take pot
luck with the Sim Feiners. But
suppose. she remains unconvinced?
Will Great Britain send her soldiers
to compel acceptance of De Valera's
rule? British opinion, it may be
assumed, would not support this.
So the only seeming chance for a
settlement is in recession by the
Sim Fem from the idea Mrs.
Shelby Skeffington expressed when
in this country--namely, that she
wonld give Ulstermen a ticket out
OF the island of Ireland with no re-
tarn privileges. Some measure Of
Ulster autonomy, it would seem,
must be recognized with guarantees
written into the very form of the
government.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
But How,
.Fro,n Tie {

(From The Cleveland Plain Dealer)
The keep-cool specialists are again
solemnly warning US to 'avoid alcoholic
drinks" Ia order to avoid things one
must know where shey are cannot the
specialists be mors specific?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06

quoted in an article this morning on
the first page OF The Tribune. Luckily,
another minister, in the same article,
has counterbalanced their lack Of mod
Grafton by sane discussion of the
question. WILLIAM P. EMO.
New York, July 4, 1921.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
The Home Of Lost" Pae,.,s
New York, July 8, 1921.

To ths Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The recovery from Mr.
Josephus Daniels's desk of the lost
war plans recalls that in 1915-le
Admiral Fiske's letter to Mr.. Daniels
about our undermined navy also got
"lost" in his desk.
W. SCOTT CAMERON.
New York, July 8, 1921.