davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1921-08-14

If he starts by going over the limit
by two or three miles. is apt to be.
come the dangerous street racer. And
1t is better to check him by q stin
penalty on his second or third offense.
while he is still going at q mildly un.
lawful rate, than toslet' him 90 to
extremes and eventually take life.
Another point remains in this col.
lateral business. Frequently mo.
torists are cited by police notices to
appear in court the next day, and
not hailed to the station houses. At
the court they find the calendar con.
gested with long waiting hne. They
go to the corporation counsers as.
sistant. who frequently permits them
to deposit collateral and lets them go,
with the understanding that the de.
posit is to be forfeited. This is q
usurpation of the courts prerogative
of trial. It makes the corporation
counsel's Office virtually court, with
the collateral as penalty. This should
be stopped. Even if the court is con-
gested, those who present themselves
there should be tried. Until Congress
establishes by law q traffic court no
such institution should be set up,
either in police station or in counsel's 8
Office.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

more drastic. At Croton they were put
on the train and sent to q police court,
where they paid fines Of 50 each, and
allowed to make their way to the big
town by usual means.
Those tramps were taking a tire.
mendous chance when they annexed
perches on the express car. Doubtless
if they had had the least suspicion Of
the gold within they would have avoid.
ed that car as If it were laden with
INT. For 1t is unhealthy nowadays
to show too much interest in treasure
cars- There has been too much ban
ditry. Tramps are as a rule harmless,
and in the major sense law-abiding.
They steal now and then, but only
unconsidered trifles. They have their
code Of morals, and highway robbery
or train p.looting is not accepted by 1t as
warranted. Now and then a black
sheep Of tramp is lured into the big
game of theft. and sometimes a pro-
fessional thief drifts into the ranks of
the wanderers and behaves himself
Tramps are simply restless, shift
less. Indispensable creatures who pre-
fer to move about rather than stick to
a job. They enjoy life. in their way.
They have no ties and no responsible
ties. They work now and then, just
enough to get money to pay their way
mot in railroad fares-to another
resting place. They regard trains as
made for their free transport. They
endure hardships that would kill most
other people. in order to ride free.
They become expert at riding on the
rods and trucks. They are as adept
in hopping trains as the most ex-
perienced brakemen.
Studies of tramp life have never re-
suited in any sound conclusion Of the
causes Of this phenomenon or the cure.
Tramp ranks increase somewhat dur
ing periods of general unemployment
and dwindle when labor is in demand.
But there always remains a residuum
of sidleness that. cannot be accounted
for by any economic rule. The tramp
is a phenomenon Of temperament, not
of Industrial slackness.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Lenin Lightens Cargo.

Skipper Lenin has started to jettison
his cargo. The ship Bolshevy is leak
ing badly and has decided list. The
pumps cannot make headway against
the inflow. The crew is in panic and
the rats are starting to swim off. hope
less though their venture may be. So
the master is ordering the ship to be
'lightened. Maybe it can be saved. but
throwing overheard the stuff in the
hold will not close the seams. The
case is desperate.
Some Of the cargo was tossed into
the sea some time ago. notably the
prohibition Of money. Lenin found
that it was too bulky for the ships
hold. Now the crew brings up to the
decks the goods labeled government
ownership" Overheard they go. while
bitter tears roll down into the beard
of the man on the bridge.
Yes. government ownership" Is
abandoned in Russia. Lenin excepts
from the new order restoring private
ownership a few industries, but in the
main business is to go back into the
hands OF the people as individuals
The decree to that effect was pub
lished in the official newspaper lives.
tia August 8. All but the few exempt
ed industries are to be leased to in
dividuals. cooperative bodies and la.
Dor organizations.
And UP from the swashing cargo
space comes another lot Of stuff.
styled free postal, railway. telegraph
and tramway service. Over it goes!
1t is explained officially that this is
abandoned in order Ito restore the
value Of the currency" Just how this
will work out to that end remains for
the Imagination. Much Of the soviet
system of economics is interpretable
only by the imagination.
Perhaps the lightened ship will keep
afloat. But no vessel ever weathered
a storm that opened its seams and
filled its hold and compelled the sacri-
flee of cargo If the crew lost their
heads and refused to obey orders.
Decentralization has set in on the Boil
shevy and scurvy has developed. The
seamen are ratified and inclined to jaw
the skipper. Marlin spikes are kept
handy for rough work in case of a
break.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
The Petrifction Mystery.

That strange ''petrified" figure just
dug up from the Tennessee mountains
may be all right, whether it be a for
mer human or biological freak or an
Indian idol. But memories Of the
Cardiff giant are irresistibly revived
by the announcement that several
thousand people have already paid ad-
missions to view it. There are still
living people who personally recollect
the great stone image that was pre-
sented to the public some decades ago
as a veritable petrifiction of a mon
ster man of long-past age. Immense
numbers of people paid to view it. 1t
was put on exhibition, after interest
had been thoroughly aroused by pro-
found scientific discussions over its
possible origin and genuineness. It
proved to be one of the biggest money
makers of the time. Long afterward
some Of the artisans who helped to
carve it out Of gypsum confessed to
their part in the hoax, and the Car
diff giant" became a synonym for a
clever fraud upon public credulity.
This object in Tennessee may be all
right, perhaps a genuine Indian idol.
But again it may be of very modern
origin. And it will continue to draw
fee-paying observers, for curiosity is
always stronger than skepticism, and
besides probably very few Of the peo.
pie nowadays know anything about
the celebrated trick Of the last Gen.
tury. If it is hoax. hats 60 of to the
inventor, who has evidently read his
history to good purpose and knows
human nature well.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Politics at Home
Again in. the Picture.

The effort to effect a change in the
chairmanship Of the democratic ma.
tional committee has taken a new
turn. Bowling Mr.. White out by offer.
ing him his hat failed last winter.
Talk now Is of removing him by pro.
motion.
Next year the democrats sof Ohio
will need candidate for governor.
and Mr.. Whites name is suggested.
He has the matter under~considera-
ton. If he accepts, presumably he
will retire from his present place. It
would hardly be seemly for him to re.
tain it while standing for an elective
office.
Mr.. Whites candidacy for Governor
Of Ohio would argue belief on his
part of improved democratic. pros,
poets. and this, in turn, would create
a very lively contest for the committee
place he HAD vacated. Who would get
It?
AS The Star stated the other day.
the most prominent men in the demo.
cratic party appraised in connection
with the next presidential campaign
are Gov. Cox and former Secretary
McAdoo. Each has an organization,
and each is believed to have his head
out for 1924. Either would profit by
having supporter at the head Of his
party's national committee. Mr.. White
is a Cox man. though there is no
charge that he has been since last
November. or is now. using his chair
manship in Gov. Cox's behalf.
The chairman Of the democratic ma
tional committee. be he Mr.. White
or another, will have a mans job in
hand. II party prospects improve,
great skill will be required to steer by
"the bright light" II they continue
poor, and get poorer, even greater
skill will be necessary to create an
impression that there is something to
fight for, and to put the faithful into
the posture Of battle.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Independence at the Polls.

Will there be much independent vot-
ing this year and next? There is
some prediction Of it.
The argument is simple. Last year,
we are reminded, great numbers Of
men broke away from regular affilia-
tions-climbed out Of ruts, so to say
and went their own way.
When the San Francisco convention
adjourned everything seemed smooth
enough in the democratic party. The
politicians had had their scrap, and
were now talking harmony and har.
monious effort. Gov. Cox had won,
and-for publication-everybo was
pledging support.
But. on election day, support was
lacking. In the vernacular. Gov. Cox
was not "in it" at the polls. MAORI
ties confidently counted on dwindled
to the smallest size, or disappeared
altogether. The shepherds. with their
crooks in their hands. stood paralyzed.
The flocks had scattered at their own
sweet will.
This taste of freedom, it is suggest
ed, has created an appetite. Oliver
Twists are numerous. They are bob.
bing up everywhere. They want some
more. Hence the play in New York
this year for the support of independ.
-ents. Hence the play in Virginia by
the republicans for the support of
voters who are thought to be none too
we'll pleased with the democratic
nominations.
The general situation is very con.
fused. and lends itself to all sorts of
speculation. And this speculation ap.
plies to both parties. Will the divi.
sions now showing In the republican
party show next year when a solid
front and the utmost energy may be
necessary to success on election day?
They are growing in number and
spirit, and if they get out Of hand will
impair morale and may invite defeat.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
To Make Speeding Unpopular.

~Ss~>s~
Excessive speeders, those who burn
the pavement" in their reckless haste.
and those who have been previously
arrested, will henceforth be taken to
court, regardless Of collateral. An.
nouncement to this effect is reassuring
to those who have felt that the pres.
ent system of taking virtual fines at
the station houses. with little or no
thought for repeated violations Of the
rules, makes only for contempt Of the
law and for danger in the streets.
It seems that there Is to remain a
margin of judgment for the police.
If the offense is only a 'littie one.''
and the first one, collateral may be
taken and forfeited without further
proceedings. But II the offense is
serious, or a repetition, the offender
will be hailed to court. And when
taken to court the fact Of his at.
tempted forfeiture should weigh
against him in the determination Of
the penalty. A man who obeys the
summons. appreciatins the privilege
that he has been granted Of remain
ing at home overnight instead of in
a station house. should get more con.
sideration than he who regards his
collateral as fine and refuses to
appear for trial.
Careful. note. however. should be
taken of the arrests. in slight as well
as serious cases. so that repetitions
may be observed and properly pun.
ished. For the habitual speedsr. even
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Tramps on q Treasure Car.

Two tramps rode on the blind end of
an express car for 400 miles from Buf.
falo toward New York the other day.
That was not unusual. But the con.
tents of the car were exceptional. gold
bullion to the value of s1,25o,00 A
dozen armed guards accompanied the
gold. They were quite unaware Of
their rear-end company until the
train stopped at Harmon, N. Y, and
then some of them took stroll around
the car and found the tramps. The
,atter were at once covered" and es.
corted to safer place. Fortunately
for the ioboes they were not armed.
else their treatment would have been,
Evening star., 1921-08-14
The Playground Program.

An estimate OF $455,O0O has been
made as the cost of acquiring land,
experimenting and maintaining an
adequate playground system for the
District A movement has been start
ed to formulate this estimate as a
recommendation for appropriation. 1t
should be vigorously pressed.
Washington's public Fairgrounds
have had Topsy-like growth. They
started in a very small way, through
the use Of the school yards. Public
grounds were designated" on vacant
land of private ownership. loaned for
the purpose. Equipment came slowly.
Funds for the purchase Of the Gus
tomary playground fittings were in
the beginning provided by public SUBJ
scriptions. Children gave entertain
ments and raised few dollars here
and there to buy bits Of apparatus and
other necessities. Only slight help was
given at the outset in the form of pub
lie funds.
Later, when the Fairgrounds gained
a foundation, having been recognized
as essential to the physical and moral
welfare of the children of the capital.
Congress decided that they should be
supported wholly out Of the Districts
revenues, a decision warranted by no
argument or view Of the nature OF the
institution. But the ruling once made,
it remained the basis for subsequent
appropriations. And even on that foot
ing allowances for playground pur-
chase and equipment and maintenance
were grudgingly given.
If the owners Of the private grounds
used for this purpose were to foreclose
now the city would be left with the
poorest outfit for public recreation in
the country, exceeded by any well
ordered small town in proportion. And
there is no guarantee whatever
against such foreclosure. One Of the
most frequented grounds in the Dis
trict was recently taken back for
building purposes.
The District should own every pub
lie playground, whether attached to a
school or separate. And every ground
should be fully equipped and fully
manned and supervised. And the
funds for the acquisition and for the
support of these Fairgrounds should
be provided in the appropriation bills,
on the usual proportion Of division
between District and federal revenues.
The present movement for the de-
velopment Of this system should be
promoted strictly upon those prin-
ciples.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Vets, Foreign and Domestic.

"Pussyfoot" johnson, who lost an
eye to a wet rabble in London several
years ago, has gone by invitation to
India to participate in a nationwide
prohibition campaign. His itinerary
will take him to all the leading cities.
At the close of his Indian visit he will
visit Ceylon on temperance mission,
and then return to England. where
he will tarry awhile before returning
to America.
This will be a bit of travel, and call
for a bit Of talking. Mr.. johnson will
give his audiences Of the best that is
in him, but he ought to be careful not
to exhaust himself. He will fnd work
awaiting him here at home which will
tax him as prohibition crusading has
not taxed him hitherto.
The leaders Of the dry cause, from
Mr.. Bryan down-and Mr.. Bryan is
still at their head-are warned about
what is coming, and getting ready to
meet the vets in battle array. Indeed.
in way and to degree, skirmishing
has already begun, and the strife will
be active and incessant until election
day in November. 1922.
1t will be long and vigorous tus.
sic, during which the vets will bring
up all their reserves. Their latest
move is an effort to annex the Consti-
tuition, and play 1t next year for all
they can persuade the voters it con.
tains in support Of their personal lib
erty contention. They are overlooking
no bet, and they know the game of
politics.
The eighteenth amendment Is on the
books, but will amount to nothing un.
less the laws growing out Of it are en-.
forced. Today, as we all know. they
are Knocked. secretly by bootlegeers.
and openly by those giving bootleg.
ging che encouragement Of ingenious
reasonings and excuses.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Franco-Spanish Troubles Coming.


Pushed out of the spotlight by more
sensational happenings. misunder-
standing between France and Spain
over the partition of Morocco has
been brewing for many months. More
attention is paid to ii in Spain than
in France, for 1t is the principal for
eign question now occupying the
Spanish government. Yet European
observers realize that the germs of a
serious dispute are contained in the
affair.
Juan de Aragon. one of the Spanish
political writers who warned his
government against the war with the
United States in 1898, writes in the
Correspondence de Espana:
unpopularity before by saying that
quarreling with the United States
was folly, SO today Ideclare that il
would be an equal by to quarrel
with France. Unfortunately, ! was
right on the former occasion. I'm
fortunately. I am right again today.
"Is it virtue to see straight? Not
at all. The simple fact is that ] live
in a world of realities. while others
live in world of fancy. Like Don
Cid, they attack the windmills. ],
more prosaic. more plain-minded,
more human, am content, like Sancho
Panza, to see the windmills, to per-
Ceive that their wings Will OVerturn
the horse and the horseman, to an
ticipate catastrophe and express the
hope that we will abstain from such
an adventure.
"Am l lacking in patriotism? Moth
ing of the kind. We who called for
peace with America were not unpa-
triotic. The unpatriotic were the
others who. to the tune of the Cadiz
march, cried War" and foretold the
triumphaI entry of Weyler into the
Capitol. And SO today also. patriot
ism is not on the side of the rash and
impulsive, but on the side OF the cool
and cautious people.
Poor Spaini When will she begin
to live on the basis Of the realities
of Europe 2"
Evening star., 1921-08-14
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
The Threat of a Holy War.

The king Of the Hedjaz, it is report.
ed. has proclaimed holy war by Mos
lens in order to aid the Turkish ma
tionalists in their war against Greece.
The effect of this move may cause a
change in policy on the part of the
allied nations. which have heretofore
held aloof from the Greek military en-
terprise in Asia Minor
A holy war by the Meslems has been
the menace Of the Christian powers in
Asia and Africa ever since they en-
tered those areas in coloniZa ton and
the maintenance of protectorates. In
der the leadership of the Turkish sui
tan, however. it was never possible to
align all Moslems against the Chris
tians, for great numbers of the
Mohammedan peoples refused to recog-
nize the religious authority of the
head Of the Turkish state. The heads
of clans and secret societies among
the Arabs and the Moors were actually
more influential than the sultan.
The king Of the Hedjaz established
himself in opposition to the old Turk
ish regime. with the aid of the Brit
1sh. who skillfully used him and his
following to break the Turks in Arabia
and Palestine. Since the armfstice,
however. there has been much discon-
tent among the Arabs owing to what
they have regarded as failure Of
goo0 faith on the part of the allies.
Hedjez was not recognized in the Yer
sailles treaty as fully as Emir Faisa.
expected. Now it would appear that
he Is turning back to his old al
legiance.
England has much reason to fear
the development of a holy war. In
India, where there is great unrest
among both the Buddhists and the
Nohammedans, a religious uprising
would be most serious development
The Turkish nationalists. Withdrawn
inso tne middle portion Of Asia Minor,
are IN themselves of slight military or
political consequence. The Russian
reds are giving them but little sup
port, for the bolshevists have all they
can do to maintain themselves at
home. The Greeks have accomplished
unexpected success in pushing the
nationalists back from their estab-
1ished lines. The campaign has slack
ened somewhat. but it is apparently
for the purpose Of Strengthening COM
munications and bringing up sup
plies. There Is no reason to believe
that Constantine has shot his bolt.
If the Hedjaz enters the campaign 1t
must be across the British and French
lines of mandatory authority, and such
a move would surely precipitate gen.
eral Intervention. Neither England
nor France could afford to let the Mos
lem movement gain headway. Seep-
age Of the revolutionary spirit into
India would make trouble for both Of
them. Unless this "holy war" declara-
tion is a mere gesture, bluff to gain
consideration for purely Arabic inter-
ests, London and Paris must consider
the possible necessity of taking active
part in the Asia Minor campaign,
from which they have thus far held
strictly aloof.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

Neither ireland nor the British gov.
ernment can see any definite advan.
tage in possible reversipn to status
quo which has been Of so turbulent a
nature.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

There IL no reason why the reports
Of John D. Rockefeller's personal
frugality should not be credited.
Money ID 20 commonplace matter
with him as to prevent q. desire for
an ostentation Of wealth: -
Evening star., 1921-08-14

The Chinese people are rated so high
for honesty that their opinions in the
coming conference cannot fail to be
heard with interest.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

Commuters in some parts Of the
country have to put their pictures on
their railroad tickets. This 10 one way
Of compelling . commutsr to "look
pleasant. l
Evening star., 1921-08-14

Agitators who go to soviet Russia
usually become discouraged as soon
as they have realized ths scarcity Of
funds in their new envirq nment.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

Small as his compensation was for
important service, it must be admitted
that the dollar-a-year man did not
solve all the problems Of economy.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Stunning an Extravagance.
"I'm willing to economic"
Said Hezekiah Bings.
"I'll sacrifice the food
I prize and lots of other things.
I advocate with all my breath
Economies anew.
Yet if I starve or freeze to death
What will my family do?
"The flowers and the carriage hire
Entail q great expense.
The somber splendors we admire
Foot up to sums immense.
So to appreciate I'll try
The comforts that life brings,
The cost Of funerals is too high."
Said Hezekiah Bings.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

1t will not be surprising if the
Northcliffe publications hereafter
make prominent use of the formula,
"It is stated on excellent authority"
Evening star., 1921-08-14

No mayor Of New York can hope to
be as secure in his position as the
leader Of Tammany.
Evening star., 1921-08-14
DIGEST OF FOREIGN PRESS

names of 55.17S French correspond
ents. regular fortune for French
stationers and a considerable resource
for the postal budget, In voluminous
missives the correspondents inform
each other concerning social culture
in their respective countries. and in
addition to this. exchange of news
papers and magazines constitutes d
new and effective means of edu-
cation.
Few students have as yet crossed
the ocean to fraternize with their
correspondents. But il is obvious
that such voyages will be under
taken in the near future by many of
our young people who are preparing
for careers in industry, agriculture,
education. etc.
Among the sons of the fighters of
the great war are many who are
determined 10 go and seek in foreign
lands the inspiring ideals that con-
stitute the wealth of individuals and
Of nations"
Evening star., 1921-08-14

The Sam Browne belt is regarded as
such a good thing that many practical
soldiers believe there ought to be more
of it.
Evening star., 1921-08-14

Washington, D. c.. will rank with
Paris itself as a city Of historic con-
ferences.