davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Land Values and Taxes

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The statement you make in a
recent editorial, "Backsliding," that
land values are not affected by taxa
ton" is rather startling. You say this
was the cardinal point Of Henry
Georges teachings, and that our late
Mayor Gaynor became mordant on con-
templating the intelects that were
unable to grasp this truth.
Somewhere, surely, there is a mis-
understanding. Was it the amiable
belief of these gentlemen, and is it
your notion, that present land values
would not be affected by an increase
in the tax now assessed against these
values? Just for the experience you
might try to Convince real estate
operator that there is no cause for him
to worry over a proposed increase of
the tax on his land values. But don't
try if you wish to retain his affection,
II. THOMSON.
Brooklyn, March 7, 1921
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13

railroads. What is that in its .sss,..
but a "service at cost plan?
The present condition Of public ,..u
ice companies under private owpsrss'
is serious, and this is an irnnor..-'
factor in its bearing on present row
try-wide business conditions. Tho =
dustry as whole has been brouYb, ..
the verge Of bankruptcy as the r..r,.
Of inadequate rates. 1t is the sts,m
railroad problem over again. 4 ;r.:
solution is imperative, primarily in -.
interest of the general public. Thu.
is all the companies ask.
Public ownership and operatjo, :.
not satisfactory remedy. That SIM,
ply means poor service at less sb,,
cost, deceiving the public as TO =.
cost and making up the deficit thropv,
increased taxes. From my obserya,io,
it is a failure, or viii be, whereve,
tried. Business cannot be opera..a
efficiently by politica. managemen.
under which the incentive Of reward fo,
efficiency and economy IS eliminated
But public ownership would be gensr.
ally welcomed by private owners. and
is the honest policy, rather than CON.
tinuance Of present unjust condition,
H. NJ. ARMSTRONG.
Atlanta, Ga, March :, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
The Lure of the Prizering

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: 7. Z. Kemp deplores the exist.
ing conditions in prizering circles, lay.
ing particular stress upon the de-.
moralizing effect Of big purses upon
the city's young "roughnecks"
The pecuniary attraction is but
secondary to the real lure of tn.
prizering. 1t is the complete sense 0;
satisfaction that sufuses til.
boxer when he has beaten down his
opponent that attracts Young men to
the squared circle II T. E. Kemp had
ever stepped into ring himself and
had felt and sensed the peculiar odor
Of the canvas, the rosin and the naked
bodies he would have modified some
of the statements in his letter. There
IS something about the fighting game
that gets you, and gets you more
quickly and surely than the call Of
the gold.
Then again, if the people are will.
ing to pay admission prices that ara
large enough to facilitate the offering
of large sums to the fighters, that is
entirely their affair
CHESTER L. SLOANE
New York, March T, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Our Minister to FIayti
Five Cent Fare Enough
A War Nurse s Story
Public Service in Straits
Again the Unhappy Story of Inadequate
Rates-What Can Be Done?

Sir: The Tribune has for many years
impressed me as being fair and just
But the editorial in your issue Of March
2, "Boosting Gas Prices" sounds nearer
a constructive grumble than your
usual attitude toward such questions.
The problems which public service
companies have had to face during the
last five years can be simply stated.
Take, for example, a company I am IA
miliar with, which furnishes city,
suburban and interurban electric rail
road service, both wholesale and retail
electric light and power, and gas serv-
zee. Prior to 1918 this company had
operated under strict pubic service
regulation for long period and at uni
eormly low rates, both rates and serv-
ice being satisfactory to the public.
The rates received by this company in
all departments averaged 26 per cent
higher in December, 1920, than in De-
cember, 1917, and during that same pc
rod the money cost Of the service (op-
Grating expenses and taxes alone) in
creased an average of over 100 per
cent. In other words, the nickel fare
became two and a half cents, and the
dollar for gas so cents. and the ratio
IF depreciation was the same as to
electric rates.
There is the problem in nutshell
how to make 26 per cent increase in
the rates received pay over 100 per
cent increase in the cost of the pred
uct. 1t can't be done. That company
=as furnished the public service at less
than cost for five years past, using for
the purpose its high credit, which was
the result of long period of conserva-
tive financial policy.
The conditions facing public utility
companies throughout the United States
have been and are now the same.
The Consolidated Gas Company could
vot escape them, and l am quite sure
IT'S situation is similar to the above. 1t
very likely furnishes as good an eX-
ample as the one used.
The increased cost of all necessaries
Of life has been many times the in
creased cost of public service. Public
service companies are not exempt from
the operation of economic laws, and
their rates must be increased relatively
to the decreased purchasing power of
the dollar if good service is to be main
tanned.
You do not seem to be in favor Of the
service at cost" plan. Yet, according
to my recollection, you warmly ad-
-vocated the Cummins-Esch law for the
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13

troll OF substantial portion of eco
nomic wealth has given it, to SINH
lar great public detriment. Thus there
is the anomalous division Of the ma
tion's human economic forces into
three classes--two small, organized and
powerful;T one. large, unorganizcd and
only potentially powerful. It is pro-
posed that the latter be organized and
made actually powerful.
Each Of the labor and capitalist
classes has been able to defend itself
against the rapaciousness Of the other
the one by raising the price Of its
services, the other by raising tho price
of its goods. This method has been so
successful that suspicion has been
created that these two classes might
find it moro profitable to strike a truce
as between themselves and join their
forces in combined attack on the
public purse. Industrial peace Of this sort
is more inimical to the public welfare
than industrial strife. But industrial
peace we must have, and that on an
equitable basis for all concerned. 1t
is patent that it is necessary to our in
dividual and national welfare. Past
experience has shown that no plan will
ne OF any avail unless it has the sup
port. effectively organized, of the mid
! die classes. If the middle classes are
organized their mere acquiescence in
every solution Of every economic prob
lem probably will insure it's success.
Failing this, they would have O power
OF coercion, moral, economic, political
o. physical, which would be irresisti-
bic by any minority.
1t is the purpose Of the Society Of
the Party OF the Third Part to carry
out its aims through such channels and
agencies as advertising, circulariza-
ton, education, public meetings. CO.
operation with other organizations
having ono or more points in common
with the society, at church and COM
munity forums, advocacy Of or opposi-
tion to political candidates on public
domestic questions, maintenance of. q
legislative bureau for the protection
OF middle class interests before the
national and state legislatures, period
ical conventions OF the society's repre-
sentatives. compilation Of facts and
statistics and preparation Of literature
'or the guidance of members in carry
ing out the policies adopted by the So
ciety. JAMES W. BELLlNGER.
Montclair, N. j., March 8, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Baneful arty olitics
! 4 Reader F7oresees the End Of the
Most Expensive Middleman"

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial "Third PARTIES
and the Governors pronouncement on
all independent movements proceed
upon the theory that political parties
are essential and have come to stay
and that oil political activities out
side of the two parties are wasted
energy and a nuisance.
There is very large and increasing
number of American citizens who be-
licve that our country is what it is
in spite OF and not by reason of po-
litical parties. The partisan system
has given us the most inc efficient, ex-
pensive and wasteful Federal, state and
municipal government in the world.
The country has never been able to
accomplish much Of anything except
ing when partisanship was suspended
and merged in patriotism. Nearly all
party men hold the party SO close
TO their eyes that they cannot see the
Republic.
II parties could be eliminated alto
sether and the American citizen could
focus his mind upon his country direct
~. citizenship would come to mean
something, as one could give his al
fections and loyalty to our institutions
rather than 10 men.
The movement to repeal the direct
primary law is in accord with your OBJ
lection to third parties and independ-
ent movements in politics and with
the reactionary movement to destroy
liberalism in America and fasten upon
the people the political machinery OF
the two parties and through them the
industrial, social and political schemes
of certain class or classes.
The repeal of the direct primary
law in this state will supply the neces-
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
The Flag in Church
To the Editor of The Tribune.

Sir: Our flag should remain un-
furled in every church In the St.
Nicholas Dutch Reformed Church, the
oldest one in America, is placed q
memorial tablet Of bronze, overlaid
with old gold, on the pew occupied by
Theodore Roosevelt's father and
family. In close proximity beside the
pulpit remains unfurled our flag. As
the pastor proclaims "peace on earth,
good will to man." the inspiration will
be evoked to renewed conservation,
patriotism. trustworthiness and eter-
nal vigilance to safeguard our lib
critics.
In the old Gaelic tongue the word
America means all-conquering work
Holding steadfastly to its meaning
realizing that progress is the law Of
God, daring always to do. right, as d
nation we shall always conquer.
MRS. r. MILLARD SCHENCK.
New York, March s, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Uncle Sam s Debts
To the Editor Of Tho Tribune.

10 the Editor Of Tho Tribune.
Sir: A cartoon on your editorial
page q few days ago shows Uncle
Sam presenting Il dinner check for
1o,ooo,ooo,ooo to bankrupt Europe,
with the comment, Folks really ought
to count their money before ordering
their dinner"
Was it for riotous dinner or for
any other selfish luxury that the Allies
squandered their money, and their best
blood too, and borrowed until their
credit was strained? During the war
while they were fighting for us did we
caution them to stop and count their
money? What if Belgium had stopped
to count the cost, or France, or Eng
land, or, for that matter, Italy? In
what sort Of world would Uncle Sam
be living now? When at last we woke,
saw our danger and our plain duty,
and plunged into the fight with a high
enthusiasm, the memory of which
thrills us yet, suppose, even then, the
Allies had stopped "to count their
money" and, seeing bankruptcy ahead
had withdrawn, leaving US alone to
face the Germans. Would ten billions
have measured the resulting cost to
Us, or twenty billions, or fifty?
l.. A. HAWKINS.
Schenectady, n. T., March 9, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
The Haytian Mission
Doubt as to the Policy Of Sending Z
Colored Envoy

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Since the days Of reconstruc-
tion it has been the policy to send
a colored man as minister to Hayti
This post IS regarded as the highest
political prize awarded the colored
race for party devotion and political
service. The idea Of negro represent
alive Tor negro government is doubt
less intended as compliment. The
most eminent colored men, including
Frederick Douglas, John M. Langston
and George W. Williams, have been as
signed to this post. But on closer
analysis this official segregation in
wolves a compromise rather than a
compliment. 1t is undemocratic, to say
the least, to circum mscribe the official
privilege of any group Of American
citizens to limited and peculiar area.
A representative with deep race. af-
tllation and sympathy is hardly the
ideal American diplomat who must
first Of all represent the government
which sends him, and not the govern
ment to which he is sent.
We have in our cosmopolitan citizen
Ship naturalized or native born citizens
who by blood belong to every race and
nation, and yet we would hardly send
an Italian ambassador TO Italy or a
Frenchman to France or a Russian to
Russia. We should certainly not send
Japanese to Japan. The race spirit
has become 50 intensified in Haytian
diplomacy that colored representa-
tive would necessarily be placed under
great temptation Of divided allegiance.
At one time the American negroes
were appointed to the consular service
in several European centers and served
acceptably to all concerned. President
Garfield offered the ministership to
Brazil to Senator Bruce, who doubtless 8
would have been appointed and con-
firmed had he not declined the proffer.
President Cleveland appointed col
ored man as Minister to Bolivia. who
failed Of confirmation on account of
stubborn opposition Of Southern Sen
ators. Mr.. Cleveland's policy was to
send white man to Hayti and a COL
ored man TO white government, so
that the colored race would not lose in
Official recognition, but would rather
gain by broadening the hitherto pre-
scribed area. The statesmanlike wis
dom Of this policy was unfortunately
frustrated by the narrow provincial
spirit which gained the upper hand in
Mr.. Cleveland's own political party.
1t might prove to be practical wisdom
to send member of the Hebrew race
on the delicate mission to Hayti in the
present crisis. This race is character
lied by unquestioned national loyalty,
broad human sympathy and interna-
tional understanding.
KELLY MILLER.
Washington, D. CT, March 8, 1921.
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
to the death your right to say iVoltarc TO Helpetus.
II Rhu,elnJsd Ren,iriscence

which naturally turned to the war, one
OF them said: "a German in my fac
tory said to ME the other day that
the only mistake the GerWsns made
at the beginning Of the war was that
they did not load aeroplsnes with
typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever
germs and spread them broadcast over
France and Belgium" That was the
sentiment Of one Of the good, Kind
German people of whom Colonel Ander-
son speaks so feelirgly.
was in Coblenz ten months and
know something Of the propaganda
used to turn the Americans to Ger
many. Naturally, the young soldiers,
being unsophisticated and homesick,
were easily n1islead, but did not tn,nk
that any intelligent, real American Of
ficer could fail to see through it.
ONE OF THE NURSES
New York, March z, 1921,
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13

To the Editor of the Tribune.
Sir: Ono day, during tho month Of
May, after the armistice, four nurses
on duty in one Of the hospitals at
Coblcnz had leave to so to Cologne.
Just before the train started the
r. I. o. came to the window and said:
There are three Americans here who
arc travelling through Germany-do
you mind If bring them to your
compartment ?"
We were always glad to chat with
American soldiers, at least so long as
they proved themselves worthy, 80 we
were ready to welcome them. We we're
very much surprised, however, to see
three men in civilian clothes. It
seemed to Us rather soon for good
Americans to be in business in Ger
many; but there they were with rer-
fectly good papers.
In the course Of the conversation,
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Middle Class Insurgents
Appeal for the Greeks
Political Party Evils
A Middle Class Union
The Society of the Party of the Third
Part, Aims at the Balance of Power
TO tie editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir, "Must we have further stratih-
cation Of American society into a mid
die class union Tor self protection is
the question propounded by George ".
Alger in The Atlantic Monthly. The an
swcr is ayes"
The Society Of the Party Qf the Third
Part aims to provide means Of ef-
fect!ve expression for that great body
Of Americans commonly called the mid
Gle classes. Events which have oc-
surred in the past in the economical
and political world and the present So
cial unrest have given emphasis to the
eact, already we'll established, that the
great majority of Americans, being
members neither OF the so-called labor
ing class nor Of the so-called capitalist
class, have no economic organization to
represent them, such as the labor
unions on one hand and the capitalist
organizations on the other. The result
is that in the armed conflicts between
capital and labor the great middle
class remains the helpless, passive, in
-rticulate spectator Of the destruction
OF its own rights, privileges and inter
csts, because, paradoxically enough, it
- neither of the immediate parties to
industrial strife who is the victim there
~ h,,t tI,irtf
1t is recognize6 that the division Of
the nation into three economic classes
is an artificial one, for everybody who
works (and there are few who don't)
is laborer. We are all capitalists in
varying and increasing degree as the
ownership Of securities representing
s!iarcs of capital becomes more and
moro diffused; and We are all consum-
ers. However, the classification, though
economically unsound and pregnant
Nth dangerous possibilities, is an cx-
isting one and must be treated accord
;ngly. 4 powerful though minority
body OF manual workers has chosen
20 emphasize the particular form of
economic activity by which it earns
its living and contributes to the So
cial wealth by fostering class soil.
Aarity which, however justifiable when
wisely and 'temperately used, has been
employed and is being employed with
increasing frequency, to the great pub
&C detriment. Likewise. a small and
powerful section of the capitalist class
has abused the power which the con-
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
LOtsand( 1arfare
Ten Years Supply of Building Sites
Within Walk of Subway

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: / read with interest the spe-
cial article on the transit tangle and
the housing problem by Frank Bailey,
Of the Title Guarantee and Trust Com
pany, in your issue Of March 6.
Tie city's large investment in sub
ways has brought the suburbs into di-
rect communication with tho city, and
These suburbs are building up quito
rapidly when one keeps in mind the
retarding' effect Of the World War.
If any one takes the trouble to study
this question he will be startled at
the number Of vacant lots within ten
minute walk Of an existing subway
station in the suburbs. In many
cases they far exceed those that have
been improved-a supply to last for ten
years; yes, even longer.
AS to the probable price Of what
it is claimed further subway extern
sions or feeder lines will bring into
the market, these tracts are still in
the original farm acreage and are be-
ing farmed in most cases. The prices
at which they are held are figured on
lot basis and run from $500 to 800
per lot, depending upon the likelihood
OF which will be the first to get the
benefit Of further transit extensions.
When this happens what will be the
price OF those lots? Not one bit
cheaper then the building lots ready
for housing construction above re-
ferred to-. A case in point-and there
are many such: There are 100 lots
within 1900 feet of one station
OF the Brighton Beach subway, for
which 800 per lot is being asked, and
these lots have sidewalks and curbs in
front of them.
Mr.. Bailey's fears that five-cent
fare will serve only congested centers
and result in inferior housing are not
we'll grounded. Will he kindly ex-
plain, if his assertion that q 50x85 foot,
five family on-ahoor is the only house
now economically sound is in accor-
dance with the facts, how further sub
way extensions and possible higher
fares are going to change these con-
ditions when the market is now gutted
with low-priced lots at a five-cent
fare?
There'may be points where a feeder
lime has been discontinued or a fare
increased, working a hardship or resi-
dents depending upon such transporta-
ton. Is it not possible to work out
some plan other than a general and
universal increase of 60 per cent or
100 per cent in the cost of carfarc to
every one in the city every time we
get on car so as to correct this
hardship? Considering the very small
proportion of those who arc now so
suffering, city subsidy Of such lines
would be far cheaper in the form of
few dollars of increased taxes then
upward Of an increase of $50 a year
to each of us in carfare.
1t is very difficult to get anything
but generalities from the advocates of
an increased fare. The Tribune
printed an admirable editorial on this
question on January IA, 1921, entitled:
"Traffic and the Five Cent Fare" More
light along those lines might cause the
unthlnklng among our population to
open their eyes and demand the right
New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Fate of the Greeks
Appeal for the Maintenance Of the
Treaty of Sevre.


To the Editor of the Tribune.
Sir: Tho conference on tho revision
Of the Treaty Of Sevres, which is being
held in London, seems to millions of
Greeks to be truly tragedy. It Is un-
believable that our allies. protectors
for centuries, brothers OF yesterday,
could be unmindful Of the dire results
which will follow from q decision re-
sulting in change Of tho Treaty OF
Sevres and the possibility Of millions
Of Greeks being placed again under
Turkish tyranny.
Is it possible that our allies have
SO quickly forgotten the untold sacri-
fees and slaughter Of millions % the
Hellenic people in Asia Minor, Syria,
Palestine and every corner where
Turkish .despotism held sway? Have
they forgotten the Greek blood shed
during the war, and even at the present
hour?
They propose chronological statistics
in Thrace and Smyrna, where the
Turkish refugees are to-day getting
protection under tho Greek nag, away
from the Turkish despotism and the
crushing heel Of tho outlaw KemaI. Do
they forget that thousands Of Greeks
Of Asia Minor and Thrace left their
homes in tho last few years not only
to avoid tho Turkish tyranny but to
avoid fighting in the Turkish army, if
such it might be called, against the
English, French and Greeks them
selves?
A great many Of these expatriAted
Greeks are to-day living in tho United
States. awaiting impatiently the final
settlement, which was so near before
the unhappy and unexpected coup d'etat
that took place last November in
Athens, in order that they may return
to their beloved land, up to now laid
waste by the monster Of the Orient.
ThA members Of the London Confer
ence "assert that they will assure
safety Of the minority and security of
life of all the nationalities under Turk
ish rule.
l ask you, When in the history of tho
world did the Turk ever respect the
rights of Europeans or Christians?
Why should the Turk, whose hands
have been stepped for centuries in the
blood Of millions Of Christians and
who not only has contributed nothing
to the betternent Of civilization but,
on the contrary, has barbarously crushed
the very life Of progress, be given new
consideration? For the simple reason
that, by an unfortunate and shameful
propaganda, Constantine. in whose veins
not drop Of Greek blood flows, re-
turned to Athens.
! Over six million of the Hellenic
people are not only against Constan-
tine, but they repudiate and hate him
as our allies do, and consequently il
will be utterly impossible for him to
stay on the throne for any length OF
time.
Over three hundred thousand liberal
Greeks in the United States appeal
again to the American government and
American people who fought for the
same noble ideals that the writer pleads
for to stand by the Hellenic nation and
prevent millions Of their brothers, who
for short time enjoyed the blessing
of freedom in the arms Of their mother
country, to fall again under the dread
full Turkish despotism Of the past dark
days.
DIR. TIL. J. MKvRoCoRDATo.
New York, March s, 1921.