davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
Silver Service Lusk

The attention of the state is again
directed to Senator Clayton R. Lusk.
Statements from him indicate he is
not yet convinced of the wisdom, not
to say the decency, of his retirement
as Republican leader of the State
Senate.
The general desire that Senator
Lusk should see his way clear to
give his undivided attention to the
practice of his profession, and thus
to retire from any sort of lead
ership at Albany, has an uncom-
plex origin. On July 81 last, in
testimony before the Meyer commit
tee, it was brought out, first, that
Senator Lusk had taken an active
part in promoting legislation to in
crease and make permanent the SAL
aries Of city detectives, and, second,
that in gratitude for his services he
received from the detectives a sill
YER service costing $1,131. Asked
whether or not he regarded it as
proper for legislators to accept pres-
ents, the following colloquy occurred:
"That has been the custom at AL
bany for years. Nearly every Sem
ator and Assemblyman has received
presents from his friends"
"As expensive as the silver serv-
ice?"
"Well, don't know how expensive
they were, but that is very COM
mon thing that has always been
DONE"
Senator Lusk would not name any
other legislators who took presents,
nor would he discuss other presents
that he may have received. But the
one located with him he would keep.
The difference of opinion between
Senator Lusk and the public as to
the propriety of personally profting
from legislative labors seems irrec-
cncllab!e. 1t is so deep and wide
that it is not worth while to try to
bridge it. Hence, private life may
oe said to yearn for Senator Lusk.
As to the Senate leadership, he Is
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

at Geneva, Bolivia also having griev-
ances against Chile because Of the
latter's failure to grant her an ade-
quate outlet on the Pacific.
4 Now the ancient Tacna-Arica dis
pute seems on the way to settlement.
1t has embittered political relations
on the South American west coast
for more than generation. A pleb-
iscite to-day promises better results
for Chile than a plebiscite in 1893
coa!d have done. Yet Peruvians can
recall that North Schleswig re-
NAMED always Danish at heart and
that Alsace Lorraine was still
French after half century Of Ger
man occupation.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
In the Interests of Harmony

Since the days Of the Pied Piper
Of Hamelin the power Of music over
the hearts Of human beings has been
unquestioned. Cardinal Newman,
once challenged to a debate on q
point Of theology by we'll known
atheist, replied that such debate
would settle nothing. II will, how
ever" said the Cardinal, "hold q
fiddle-playing contest with you, the
winner to be credited with the best
of the argument" AS the Cardinal
played extremely we'll and the chal-
lenger not at all, the point was never
decided.
The musical method Of settling i'm
portant questions is likely to be re-
vived shortly by the acceptance by
Fritz Kreisler, the distinguished vio-
linist, Of Austria's appointment as it's
Ambassador to Washington. There
is little doubt that the appointment
would be popular here. While life
at the embassies is a little livelier
than otherwhere in Washington be-
cause the Volstead law stops at their
gates, they. still lack something Of
their oldtime charm.
Ambassador Kreisler could not
only keep his guests entertained de-
lightfully, but he could, in diplo-
matte encounters, lull his opponents
into a sense Of false security by play
ing excerpts from the Peer Gynt
suite or "The Suwanee River" and
then, perhaps, slip something over
on them.
The experiment is we'll worth try
ing. However, before we build too
high hopes of it's SUCCESS let us re-
member that musicians do not al
ways shine in politics. Paderewski
is as distinguished as Mr.. Kreisler.
Yet Poland soon grew tired of him
as It's President, and-so rumor has
it-installed a pianola in the seat of
authority.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
A Motorist s Suggestions

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Permit me to add my prescr'p'
ton for lessening the number OF auIo-
mobile accidents. | can qualify as an
expert, having driven automobiles ~
the city and country for the last nj
teen years. My experience prompts ma
to recommend three reforms in tne
law:
First--Owners who drive cars shouio
be licensed as chauffeurs.
Second--All drivers should be ooiigea
to carry with them copies OF snc
"Rules of the Road" These ruies
should be made. printed and published
by the state and local authorities, ana
all drivers should be compelled to pass
en- examination on them before licenses
are granted to them,.
Third--In cities horns should %
footed on approaching all corners o.
streets--two short bfests will do-sna
in the country when approscains
turns in the road. r. h
New York. Dec. u. 1874. ,.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
How Germany Can Paw

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The Germans claim they can
not meet their debts. How did Ger
many finance the war? How much did
it cost her?
Is it not fact that she financed the
bulk of her war expenses from current
earnings? She couldn't finance the
war from former earnings, as those
were invested capital almost as soon
as earned, and only small part Of her
expenses could be financed from pros
pective earnings.
Her domestic bond issues during the
war to an extent, therefore, give us an
idea Of the domestic income during the
war.
This domestic income was used in the
attempt to subjugate other nations, and
the working classes in Germany, who
probably hold few, if any, of those war
loans, will be taxed as long az they
live to pay their home profteers IN
terest and principal on their ill-gotten
gains.
Why not make Germany observe a
moratorium on her internal bonds un-
til her victims are paid every cent due
them, and let US measure her ability to
pay by her ability to pay for the war.
plus what she saves by being minus
navy, army and Hohenxolierns?
Force q reduction in Germany's in
ternal budget, and France need fear no
army across the Rhine.
r. A. WATSON.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
No More Tail Twisting
the Editor of The Tribune

To the Editor of the Tribune.
Sir: 1t is difficult to comment with
moderation on the latest attack by
Messrs. Cohalan, Dewey, Grace and Ken
ney and the Friends of Irish Freedom.
The majority of American citizens have
been sympathetic to Ireland's aspira-
tions for self-government and have re-
joiced in the achievement those as
pirations,> not only in satisfaction that
the Irish people have attained their
goal after centuries Of struggle, but
also in the belief that the only serious
obstacle to warm Anglo American
friendship had been removed and that
we would at last be treated to cessa-
ton of the persistent anti-British
propaganda Of Cohalan and his friends.
But now it appears that our hopes
have been deceived.
The only reason for not passing over
the F. o. I. F.'s lucubrations is that
unfortunate expe' fence has proved
that this sort Of vaporing frequently
produces a reaction among our elected
representatives in Congress, causing
them to reproduce that sketch Of In
ternational bad manners called "Twist-
ing the Lions Tail.' 1t occurs to me
thai any action Of this kind-which
would be particularly unfortunate at
the present time-might be forestalled
if large number Of American citizens
II l-HS - IL
should not be factor in American
politics, especially now that Ireland's
aims have been achieved, will take the
trouble to write their Congressman to
that effect.
| am writing personally not only to
the New York Senators and the
Representative from my own district,
but to ten other Congressmen of intlu-
enca ~ we'll. ! armly kaelieve thai
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
An kishma11's Probhecu
Bernard Shaws Amusing Bmlesque the Naonast Passion
of His Countymen
(From Back TO Methuseah. Published BY Brentanos)
I Hts { Countymen

heart and witty brain fed from them
as from pestilence.
To regain their lost prestige the
Irish claimed the city of Jerusalem,
on the ground that they were the lost
tribes of Israel; but on their approach
the Jews abandoned the city and redis-
tributed themselves throughout Europe,
1t was then that these devoted Irish
men. not one of whom had ever seen
Ireland, were counseled by an English
archbishop. the father of the oracles,
to go back to their own country. This
had never once occurred to them, be-
cause there was nothing to prevent
them and nobody to forbid them.
They jumped at the suggestion. They
landed here, here in Galway Bay, on
this very ground. When they reached
the shore the older men and women
flung themselves down and passionate
ly kissed the soil Of Ireland, calling
on the young to embrace the earth that
had borne their ancestors. But the
young looked gloomily on and said,
"There is no earth. only stone" They
all left for England next day, and no
Irishman ever again confessed of being
Irish, even to his own children. so that
when that generation passed away the
Irish race vanished from human knowl-
edge. And the dispersed Jews did the
came, lest they should be sent back to
Palestine.
Since then the world, bcreft Of it's
Jews and its Irish, has been a tame,
dull place. Is there no pathos for you
in this story? Can you not understand
now why am come to visit the scene
of this tragic effacement of a race Of
heroes and poets?
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

The Elderly Gentleman: Con-
slider this island on which we stand, the
last foothold of man on this side of the
Atlantic; this ireland, described by the
earliest bards as an emerald gem set in
silver seal Can !, scion of the illus
trious British race, ever forget that when
the empire transferred it's seat to the
East. and said to the turbulent Irish race
which it had oppressed but never con-
quered, CAT last we leave you to your
selves, and much good may it do you'll"
the Irish as one man uttered the his
toric shout, "No, we'll be damned if
you dol" and emigrated to the coun-
tries where there was still national.
ist question-to India, Persia and
Corea; to Morocco, Tunis and Tripoli?
In these countries they were ever
foremost in the struggle for national
independence, and the world rang con-
tnually with the story of their suffer
ings and wrongs. And what poem can
do justice to the end when it came at
last? Hardly two hundred years had
elapsed when tho claims of nationality
were so universally conceded that there
was no longer single country on the
face Of the earth with q national
grievance or q national movement.
Think Of the position Of the Irish,
who had lost all their political facul-
ties by disuse, except that Of national
ist agitation, and who owed their post
tion as the most interesting race on
earth solely to their sufferings! The
very countries they had helped to set
free boycotted them as intolerable
bores. The communities which had
once idolized them as the incarnation
Of all that Is adorable in the warm
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
The Persistence Of Life

An item, published with all the
circumstance of authority, tells of
the successful growing Of squashes
from seeds which were fifty years
old. If true, a contribution has been
made to our knowledge of the per-
sistence of life.
Under the theory, held by many,
OF the merely chemical composition
of plant seeds it has been deemed
possible for them to germinate at
practically any age, provided they
have been properly preserved; just
as mixture of bicarbonate of soda
and tartaric acid will effcrvesce
whether the drugs are one year or
one century old
The more general belief is, how
ever, that the seed contains an
actual element Of life apart from it's
chemical constituents, just as does a
fertile egg or the chrysalis of but
terhy or the torpid body of hiber-
mating animal. If that be true there
must be limit to the period of
vitality, just as there is in these
other cases. An egg kept beyond a
certain limit of time will not hatch.
and seeds of plants if kept too long
will not germinate, not because of
any chemical change in composition,
but because of the expiration of the
life cycle of the vital germ.
Every farmer and gardener knows
that some seeds cannot be depended
on to germinate if more than year
has passed since their ripcning.
while others are good for two years
or more. It may be that squash
seeds have special persistence, as
plainly do the seeds of weeds lie in
the soil inert, and then, when con-
dltlons become favorable, suddenly
intensely display unwelcome life.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

Keeping Debs in Prison

49,"
persons have All active desire to
keep Eugene V. Debs in prison is un-
likely. He is an old man, and as such
excites pity, and within the limits of
his intelligence seemingly is sincere.
If, as through an act of grace, re-
leased, he would hardly work irrepa-
rable harm.
But very large number of per-
sons object, and object rightfully, to
the sort of argument on which the
appeal for the release of Debs and
others convicted of violation of the
espionage law is based. 1t is said
these men are political" prisoners
and that amnesty" should be grant
ed to them as such. 1t is implied,
and even asserted, that their perse-
cution grew out of state of general
hysteria and that the public should
in effect apologize for it's action.
In America we have no such thing
as political prisoner. Men are in
dicted for specific offenses against
specific laws. There is only one kind
of law and one kind of criminality,
the essence of the latter being anti
social conduct and refusal to obey
the rules established by all to govern
all.
A political prisoner, as the term Is
properly used, refers to one who is
punished not because Of lawbreak-
ing but because his activities were
offensive to some ruler or political
group which arbitrarily misused its
power to lock up it's personal oppo-
nents. The doctrine that America
has political prisoners is distinct
ly an importation. 1t assumes that
our government is something apart
from the people and that it's laws
are in the nature of dec ces rather
than duly enacted statutes. If half
baked thinkers understood their own
institutions great would be the gain!
That the agitators are more inter-
ested in stignatizing America than
in getting men out of prison is sadly
evident. When John Spargo, as he
tells in one of his books, was solicit
ed to become member Of a release
committee he answered that perhaps
the presence of men of unquestioned
loyalty on the committee would help.
The reply was that such were not
wanted-that their names would
lessen the propaganda value of the
agitation. On the same principle
radicals have preferred to have
Mooney kept in the penitentiary
largely because those who pretended
to espouse his cause were not willing
to have him pardoned, on the ground
that in his case justice miscarried
and that he was in fact innocent.
OF course in strict logic no atten-
tion should be paid to the attempt to
use Debs and his kind as pawns in r
political campaign. But, as has been
remarked, there is much human
nature in human nature, When jail
delivery is sought, not on grounds of
grace or social expediency, but on the
ground that the law was rightfully
broken, upholders Of the law natural
ly resist.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

The Platform Pledge

AT last years election what the
people of this country overwhelm-
ingly voted for was the following
contained in the Republican national
platform:
Eve pledge the coming Republic
can Administration to such agree
ments with the other nations IF the
world as shall meet the full duty of
in accordance with American ideals
and without surrendering the right
of the American people to exercise
its judgment and its power in favor
Of justice and peace"
The foregoing sketches the policy
that President Harding is pledged
to advance. The Pacific treaty is
in full accord with it, while the
doctrine Senator Borah breaches is
not.
The Senator seeks to present the
treaty as a grinning war-making
monster. He fails. All he succeeds
in doing is to make an argument
for a national aloofness fatty con-
trary to the platform-.an aloofness
so complete that it implies with
drawal from all international inter-
course, a denunciation of all our
treaties and a summoning home of
all our ministers and consuls.
The Hughes agreement provides,
first, that its signatories, with re-
spect to the Pacific islands, shall
respect one another's possessions,
and, second, for a frank consulta-
ton should danger arise. This
seems common sense arrangement
calculated to preserve peace. Not
SO, says Senator Borah; it is an
alliance to make war. How he ar
rives at this dreadful, conclusion he
does not make clear, but obviously
he is much frightened.
If it be war-inciting to discuss
with others measures to avert war,
it is manifestly risky to have any
sort of connection or association
with foreigners. Any conversation
or acquaintance is hazardous-may
afford a chance to hatch scheme
to fight. The only safety, according
to this reasoning, is to seal up our
country-to cut all cables, dismantle
all radio stations and forbid all
travelling. You can't fool Senator
Borah into believing in the good
faith of any nation. The Trojans
were told 20 fear the Greeks when
they brought gifts. The Idaho Sen
ator, going further, would fear for
eigners when they ask parley.
Into the metaphysical mazes of
the question of how great is the re-
semblance Of Article II Of the four
power treaty to Article X Of the
covenant it seems profitless to fol-
low the Senator. The public does
not much care whether a Senator
votes to ratify because the formulas
are alike or different. Either route
is acceptable if it leads to the proper
conclusion.
But the other contention of Sen
ator Borah, that an agreement
which in its text is one to promote
peace is in fact one to promote war,
is one that cannot be too som
smashed. This negatives any form
OF understanding to preserve peace,
for obviously at any parley, if the
parleyers are so disposed, con-
spiracy can be matured to bring on
war. Thus an ak lands at the roots
of that international confidence
which must be developed if war
dangers are to be lessened. In his
next speech Senator Borah should
furnish more plausible excuse for
hiS nnnac,ttns. -
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

every American who is willing to spend
the necessary time and postage will be
rendering real service to America, to
Ireland and to the cause of world peace.
JAMES C. M'MULLIN.
New York, Dec. 12, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
WhoaI

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: I see Emma Goldman, having
left Russia, is planning to come to
this country. Let US all hope and pray
sne does not get in. l. II. A.
Yonkers, N. Y, Dec. 10, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

scarcely dense enough to fail to see,
when he pushes or opposes legisla-
ton, that there will be ungenerous
curiosity as to what sort Of present
he expects.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
1 Eleventh Street
and
Where Seventh Avenue meet.
and
Greenwich Ave.
II n n

What we who saw "Good Gracious
Annabelle" and have seen "The Noun
tain Man" can't understand about Miss
Glare Hummer Is how an author who
can write like that can write like that.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
Troubled Rubles

fFrom Tho Providence JournaU
The total Soviet issue Of rubles has
risor to fabulous figures. 1t is ne mere
photographed Jest to say that the
rubla Is six'sevenths Of the trouble in
RaesiA.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

1t is, as somebody has said, Grand
and Glorious Feeling to clip your LIB
erty Bond coupons tomorrow morning:
but is one way, as somebody has said,
to Start the Day Wrong and realize
that that income tax installment Is due
tomorrow morning.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

Representative Ma iuel T. Herrick,
Of Oklahoma, is going TO get out q
newspaper in which he says he will
reply to the allegations made in some
newspapers that he sent love letters to
young women. The papers subtitle
will be ut Has More Claws Than a
Wildcat" and our advice to the Hon.
Herrck is to forget the 30@a coin
surance clause.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
More Truth Than Poetry
By James ]. Montague
A Christmas Letter

(Fron, az, ineome tG1 payer)
Dear Uncle Sam, enclosed please
find
A check-a small one, it Is
true,
For / am quite bit behind
With coal and gas and meat
bills due.
A deal of sacrifice it takes
For me to send a check at aIlJ
So please remember that 1t
makes
The fourth I've sent you since
last Fall.
I trust this sum will serve your
need.
You're loose with cash, you
must admit
A reckless squanderer-indeed,
/ can't guess what you do with
it.
In fact, think I ought to say
That this enclosures going 70
be
The last that / intend TO pay,
No matter how you badger me-
But when this season comes
around,
When every soul with joy Is
fraught,
And peace and happiness abound,
l cannot think an unkind
thought.
The holidays when sweet bells
chime,
When mistletoe hangs from
the ceilings,
And children laugh, is not che
time
To hurt poor old Uncle's
feelings.
So take it as ray Christmas gift;
Although it's more than | can
spare,
l hope that it will help 70 lift
The load you always seem to
bear.
l hope it cheers your weary lot;
And so I'm sending it to-day,
For well | know if I do not
That you will take it anyway.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
British Consulate's Province

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue of this morning
appears letter from Joseph Connolly
Irish Consul General" in which he
directs that all inquiries concerning
employment, trade and commerce in
Ireland be directed to him.
While Mr.. Connolly is without doubt
IN possession of valuable information
regarding Ireland, he has no official
status.
Despite the creation of the Irish
Free State, the British Consul is still
the only accredited representative of
ireland in this city, and those seeking
information will save both time and
money by dealing direct with the Brit
'sh Consulate, at a. Whitehall Street.
f. ROWLAND RASTRICK.
Brooklyn, Dec. IL, 1921.
10 the Editor of The Tribune
Sir; Surely Joseph Connolly, "Irish
Consul General" in New York, is not
serious when he assures your readers
IN to-day's Tribune that his consulate
is the only organization to deal with
matters Of employment relative to Ire
land"
May l correct him and say that
there is a gallant, loyal Irishman who
Is always willing to help any one who
comes to his Office at a Whitehall
Street. and his name is Captain Clos
ter Armstrong?
F. MAURICE CHILD.
New York, Dec 12, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

MY tests for Fasteners" offers J.
Scott, "always have been Deetroit and
Salt Stee Marie"
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

1t our Representatives vote on the
Y. S.-Britain-Japan-France-Italy naval
ratio Of 5-5-3-S-3, nobody should be
absent. See? Full House.
F. P. A.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

At first we thought The Times's
headline Conference End Looms Up
topped story about one of the lows
football players.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
Con Amore

Mr.. H. G. Wells has written 90
much history that he now feels that
he ought to begin making little
of it.
Too Bad We Can't
If we could only make the gov
crnment believe in Santa Claus. per
haps it would hang up its stocking
for that last income tax INSTALL
ment.
An Added Joy
One reason Christmas is so merry
is because by that time we have
eaten the last of the Thanksgiving
Turkey.
Copyright by James J. Montague,
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
The 7ower
One Day

One Day
The sun came up In white glory
Over the edge Of shining sea;
And the small waves crinkled their
lips in laughter;
My heart laughed, too, with the
wavelets' laughter
And they with me.
The sun went down in red splendor
+. Under the edge Of shadowed sea !;
And If this hasn't fooled you, give
it to Kerrigan.--
Give your old second hand watch to
Kerrigan,
And not to me.
RARON IRELAND.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
The Trained Christmas Seals

Oh Christmas seal, oh Christmas seal,
Thou hast wonderful appeal!
l send thee forth, and thus l pray:
Ope wide the heart of F. P. A.;
Ope wide his heart, and in his mind
1mplant love for all mankind;
With soft, sweet murmurings in his ear
Turn all his thoughts toward Christ
mas cheer;
New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
oh, Well, It's . Good Cause
IFrom THE Pelham Su

From The Pelham Sun1
There will be bride at the Manor Club
on Tuesday afternoon, December 18th. at
$50. The proceeds will be used for the
furnishing OF the assembly room.