davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Fashions in Taxicabs.

1t took the New York taxicab
driver to discover the extent to which
his fellow citizens allow the optic
nerve to determine their means
Of transportation. This scientific
achievement was most strikingly
shown when taxicabs of system
already famous were put on the
streets here. 1t was at once inferred
by the men of the taxis that New
Workers would thenceforth regard the
combination OF yellow and black In a
taxicab as an infallible assurance OF
safety and spell in getting about
the town.
So yellow and black taxicabs soon
pervaded every thoroughfaro. No
fiivver was too ancient to be SUBJ
mitted to this scheme OF decoration.
Whatever It's outlines might be, the
driver thought only OF his patrons
sense Of color. With the combination
OF yellow and black In their eyes,
he reasoned, the wearied or hurried
dwellers In Manhattan would be
blind to every other means OF reach
ing their destination. The phenome-
non, although never so obvious be-
fore, was not altogether new. The
relation between getting about town
and the sense Of color had been some
what less convincingly demonstrated
when taxicabs at one time were
changed to black and white, brown
and white and dark blue.
Yet the dominating contrast 10 no,
to remain supreme. Just as It's pred
ecessors passed away 80 is the sud.
den burst OF black and yellow des-
tined 10 fade ultimately. That day
has not yet come, but signs point to
its approach. Intricate combinations
OF colors are beginning to cover the
t6dies OF taxicabs whose owners in
tend that nobody shall initiate them.
White and black checks contrasted
with maroon, canary and black are
already on the streets. 1t will cost a
pretty penny to camouflage the old
fiivver In this artistic fashion.
with such elaborate ornamental
The New York herald., 1922-08-28

Government an unusually favorable
opportunity Of reaching out into Per-
sia and Afghanistan for the purpose
Of strengthening the bonds between
Moslem people. KEMAL has met with
more or less success in his efforts
in Persia and the danger is that the
flame of fanaticism may be carried
further into central Asia.
These new phases of the contro-
versy undoubtedly increase the dim
culties Of a settlement. The forth
coming conference has no easy task
but 1t has duty which for the peace
Of the world 1t should perform. No
settlement, perhaps, will meet equal
favor with Greece and Turkey or
with France, Great Britain and Italy.
But that is no reason why a settle
ment should not be made.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Non-Union Men Protected.
A Decision Of the Court Of Oyer and
Terminer Given In 1868.

To THE New YORK HERALD: In this
highly organized Industrial age an old
decision Of the New York courts may
interest your readers.
In the fall Of 1858 the bricklayers OF
New York city went on a strike for
an eight hour day. And about the time
the strike broke out this decision was
handed down.
The New York statute against un-
lawful conspiracies at that time read
that III two or moro persons shall con-
spire to commit any act injuri-
ous to trade or commerce :. they
shall be deemed guilty Of misde-
neanor." Under this law the nom
union Iaborers received full and ade-
quate protection. ~ the following case
will show:
A Mr.. Dawson had made verbal
agreement with his friend Mr.. Durham,
master bricklayer and mason OF West
Farms, Westchester county, that Mr..
Dunham should take Mr.. Dawson's son
into his employ and instruct him in the
art Of laying brick, paying him 81 day
to begin with and advancing his wages
as he grew more proficient. Not long
after young Dawson began his service
with Mr.. Dunham the local bricklayers'
union informed both Mr.. Dawson and
Mr.. Dunham that young Dawson must
be regularly indentured as an appren-
tice according to union rules or the
union workmen would leave Mr.. Dun
hams employ. Mr.. Dunham's foreman
did leave, saying he could not AFFORD to
pay the SIS fine the union exacted for
violation OF It's rules Mr.. Dunham then
discharged the Dawson boy. On these
facts Mr.. Dawson brought suit against
the foreman and certain other members
of the union and the Jury gave him q
verdict under the statute.
This act on the part of tho foreman
was so slight as to seem trivial. He
had q perfect right to leave Dunham's
employ and work where he chose. He
might even have left because he would
not work with young Dawson and no
action could have lain against him. But
the fact that his membership in the
Union and the mandatory direction OF the
union rules was the cause and motive Of
his action made It a legal offense.
The case was decided In the Court Of
Oyer and Terminer. but no appeal was
taken. In fact the decision was well
fortified by previous decisions. the gist
OF which was that strikers are guilty
OF a legal misdemeanor in combining to
prevent non-strikers from working at
their trades"
VIII some astute legal mind among
your readers kindly calculate for US in
legal light years how long 1t will take
for the light from this judicial star to
reach Herrin. Ill?
ROBERT l. PusroN.
LEEsBUR0. Va, August rs.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Big Postal Saving Program Approved
Government Ownership of All Post Offices Will Be
Proposed to Save Half Billion in Ten Years.

WASHINGTON. Aug. az (Associated
Press) .-Government ownership Of post
office buildings in every city and town
in the United States where none now
is owned has been proposed to Congress
by Postmaster-Genera Work. with the
approval of President Harding.
The Presidents approval. Administra-
tion officials said to-day. was based upon
reports showing that the plan. once put
into effect, would mean a saving to the
billion dollars within the next ten years.
Administration leaders in Congress.
regarding the undertaking as an i'm
portant business reform, and designed
to check "proflteering in rentals were
prepared. It was said. to urge immediate
enactment of legislation providing for a
nationwide postal building program.
In letter to the President. outlining
the program. the Postmaster-Generale ex-
planned that the department now pays
in rentals annually about $4,000 900 and
that when many leases recently expired
owners of buildings demanded and OBJ
tanned substantial increases. In view OF
this situation. he added. there is a neces-
sity for Government ownership OF build
ings within the limitation OF good bust
ness Judgment as against tho leasing
system"
Would Check ProfiteerfnK..
The Postmaster General further de-
clared that with the adoption by the
Government OF the plan suggested prof
iteering in rentals would be checked and
shameless speculation on the part OF
those who sought to prey upon the Cow
ernment would be abolished for all time.'
In negotiations carried on by depart
ment officials for leases with prospective
lessons. he added. I'VE were confronted
with the fact that we could not build
and, therefore. we had to pay what they
asked. Leased buildings are being con-
stantly outgrown, and with the lease
policy we now employ and without the
right Of condemnation, additional adj
jacent space is often held at unconscious
able figures"
Before the plan. as worked out by the
Postmaster General and his associates
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
The Sky Police.

And now It Is the sky police, the sky
police, the sky police
VIII wonders never cease
On land and sea
It used to be
You had to mind each q and D.
But now you further must bewarei
You cannot hope to take the air
And be from durance free,
For should you NJ
Too low. too high,
Tho police Of the sky
Appear at once upon the scenei
You must preserve a happy mean
Or all In vain
Your speed Of plane
No bird can pass them byi
Tho sky police. the sky police--each one
OF them q ny copi
The eky police. the sity police--ths spicl
and span new sky copl
He's here TO stay
The Milky Way
Must be kept safe for crossing.
So Venus Mars
And all ye stars
Get ready for n bossingi
Cheese II. the copl
Around the shop
Sidereal. each slattern
Turns pale with fright
Some speed" Is right
Those boys ride rings round Saturn
No comets tail shall loosely flop.
They never fail. The cop the COP!
Tho sky cop. tho ny cop. tho sky police,
apply the ban.
60 Betelgeusc, Aidebsran
And all the rest
win md II best
To bow 10 his behest
Look out there. moon
BE careful. sun!
For he's begun.
or will quite soon.
And no one knows
Just when he'll close,
or where he'll stop.
The ny cop
The sky police. the sky police--the spicls
and span new sky cop
Is on the job
And will play hob
II things don't suit--no siy copf
MAURICE MoRxrs.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Wage Losses From Strikes.

A report issued by the Pennsyl-
vania Bureau OF Mediation and Arbi-
tration puts the wage loss from
strikes in that State during the first
half of the present year at s117,54s.-
ass, of which the sum Of $114.562.914
fell on striking miners.
From January / to the first OF July
1858 mining operations were involved
In strikes, of which fifteen had been
carried over from the year before. or
these twenty-one have been closed,
leaving 1,242 disputes pending on
July /. In the combined bituminous
and anthracite fields S40,10S miners
were idle and up to July they had
lost a total of 22,S69,69S working
days. To bring this time loss to date.
as OF August 20. 17,345,5os working
days must be added.
Apparently the Pennsylvania bu-
reau estimates miners wages at q
fraction more than SIS day. At an
even SIS a day the total wage loss to
the miners OF Pennsylvania thus far
in the current year has been ap-
proximately s2Oo,ooo,ooo. To this
must be added the working days and
wages lost through the railroad
strikes. AS yet no data have been
presented by which to compute these
losses with anything like accuracy.
Probably 1t would be within the mark
to place the wage loss from the rail-
road strike, in Pennsylvania to date
at $30,000,000. Thus strikes up to
this time in 1922 have probably cost
keystone State wage earners some
thing like quarter of billion
dollars.
Add to this sum the wage losses
from strikes in all the other States
OF the Union and figures loom which
are colossal. That the labor unions
can stand such a drain and still con-
tinue to pay their large forces Of pro-
fessional labor politicians salaries
ranging from $4,000 to S15, 900 a year,
as well as their heavy travelling and
hotel expenses, is evidence of the re-
markable financial vitality Of these
organizations. The other lines OF
business that could stand up under
such burden are few indeed.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Your Button Quota.

In the Bureau Of the Census's report
on the button industry, which says
that 6S,9S1.S23 gross OF buttons were
produced in 1919. there appears no
explanation of why It is almost al
ways impossible to find a mate to a
lost button. Yet when that allotment
Is, divided among the population Of
the United States the Individual
quota is far from large. It amounts
to about ninety-four buttons for every
man, woman and child.
Now every man, fully dressed,
wearing an overcoat, has about him
approximately forty buttons. some
times a few more and sometimes a
few less. The average mans ward
robe contains more buttons than that
OF woman. even allowing for the
unnecessary regiments Of them which
occasionally adorn frock, and II It
takes forty to equip the clothes that
are on his back his average annual
consumption must be in excess OF his
quota.
BY far the largest single class of
buttons manufactured is composed of
those made of pearl or she'll There
were almost 30,00O,0 900 gross Of these,
with trousers buttons to the number
OF S,113,327 gross the nearest competi-
tor. Presumably the g74 14O proro NJ
collar and cuff buttons include the
wooden buttons which laundries place
In shirt collars, and they must form
a large fraction of that figure, for
they are used only once. If anybody
doubts that the buttoned shoe per-
sists jet him observe that there we're
100000 gross of shoe buttons man
ufactured in 1919, but he may OBJ
serve further that three times as
many were produced In 1914.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Billy Patterson.
A Story Like the Oxford Tradition
Was Told mt Heidelberg.

To THE New YORK HERALD: In regard
to Archie Rice's letter on the origin OF
the question who struck Billy Patter-
SOM" and the story told by James b.
Stokes as the true reply to the old
mystery. allow me to state that while
I was student at Heidelberg some
nifty years ago the same old yarn Of the
fake execution. with all the details as
given by Mr.. Stokes. was asserted to
have taken place In Heidelberg some
twenty years previous during an initia-
tion into a corps of the university.
The details were exact In every re-
spect. Only the mysterious Mr.. Billy
had nothing to do with II. Personally !
have always understood the phrase orig
mated in New York and the origin was
the Bowery. HOWARD J. BRooKEs.
New YORK, August rs.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28

was submitted to the President 1t wa.
discussed at a conference with Secretary
Mellon, after which Treasury experts
examined every phase and detail. L
was said that the Federal Government
In some cases. was at the mercy Of
owners OF buildings used for postal bust
ness where occupancy was obtained BY
lease. and Treasury officials. It wa.
added. were of the opinion that Govern.
ment purchase or construction OF build
inss was essential to economical admin
istration OF the postal system.
President Harding was informed BY
the Postmaster-General that the Govern.
ment could borrow money on practically
a per cent basis to build post offices
whereas when 1t leases, the department
pays rental sufficient to permit the
lessor to borrow money at per cent.
and in some cases as much as 10 pei
cent. t
Pays Taxes Indirectly.
When the Government owns postal
building, 1t was further explained. 1t was
free from taxation. whereas when II
leases a building 1t Is indirectly paying
taxes at a rate OF about per cent. on
the investment, and many times at a
very much higher rate"
There are at present. according to re-
ports submitted by the Postmaster-Gen-
eral, to Senate and House committees,
5,036 post offices in leased quarters and
only about 1900 In buildings owned by
the Government. Earnings OF the de-
partment during the last ten years have
more than doubled, officials said. with
result that more buildings and space are
required to keep pace with the constantly
growing business. e
mo single piece of legislation that
could be enacted by Congress would have
a more far-reaching effect upon the
business life Of the various communi-
ties Postmaster-General Work said to-
day. Taxpayers should be relieved in
every manner consistent with good busi-
ness policies, and, in fact, it is time that
the people be given a square deal for
their support of the Government and it,
institutions.
"In the case OF Government owner
ship Of postal buildings, / am confident
there are ample sites and abundant
buildings which could be acquired al
reasonable prices and they could be
erected and equipped with material pur-
chased In the cities and towns In which
the Government would purchase prop
erty."
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
MONDAY. AUGUST 2s, 1922.
Imitation.

Are we in the foothills Of another
period of imitation? 1t looks as II we
were, with wages In the steel indus
try showed up and with the prices OF
stocks showed up persistently, insist
emily.
The increased pay of labor in the
steel industry initiated by the United
States Steel Corporation has embold-
ened the maintenance Of way men on
the railroads to ask for an increase
in wages of more than 100 per cent.
The news of the Steel Corpora
tior's voluntary increase OF 20 per
cent. in the wages OF unskilled labor
has swept over the country and forti-
fed labor generally against any re-
duction in wages, though prices are
still near or wholly at the war time
peak.
Half a dozen other steel concerns
have already followed the lead OF the
United States Steel Corporation.
Others are sure to follow and gen.
eral advance throughout the steel in
dustry is bound to stiffen the wage
scale in all Industries and all along
the line. In spite Of this obvious
fact stocks are jammed up higher and
still higher, quite as II lifted by q
giant jackscrew.
And all this in the very face OF the
disastrous coal strike and one Of the
worst railroad strikes America has
ever seen.
What is the secretf
Who ts doing the 1ob7
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Watching for Icebergs.
Patrol Of the Steamship Lanes Of
the North Atlantic.

To THE NEW YORK HERALD: A greater
number Of vessels ply along the steam
ship lanes between the United States
and Europe than over any other routes !;
moreover. the steamship routes between
American and European ports are besct
with special dangers.
Fogs. foe ice and icebergs at times
crowd upon this much travelled course.
Warm southerly winds meet cold north
erly winds, both moist to the degree OF
saturation. and the result is the fog bolt
that prevails In certain latitudes for
more than half the year
Steamship lanes lie mainly to the
south OF the fog belts; but now and
then the fogs extend beyond their nor
MAJ southerly limits. The seasonal lin
It's Of fogs and foe Ice are pretty we'll
known and are carefully charted. To a
certain extent they are avoidable The
iceberg Is the factor OF greatest danger
1t Is out OF place and out OF season so
frequently that the unexpected becomes
the expected.
The Titanic was the victim Of an Ice
berg which was out OF position. Many
years ago the master OF a then famous
liner, after nearly sorty hours on the
bridge. concluded that he was out OF
the danger zone and ordered full speed
A few minutes later he countermanded
the order to half speed until daylight
Within an hour after the countermand-
Ing order the ship crashed into berg
of pack Ice many miles from the posi-
ton In which the Ice foe had been re-
ported. Being soft Ice the damage to
the steamship was slight. but 1t was the
unexpected that happened.
The long neglected patrol Of the dan
ger area began after the loss OF the
Titanic. Since that time the work Of
the patrol has developed into an inter-
national organization. Vessels in the
patrol service report by radio telegraphy
and the information Is charted by the
observers of the steamships en- route.
The intent Of the patrol Is to locate ice
nearest the steamship lanes, and this
service has been satisfactory.
Freighters do not always take the
lanes. prescribed for passenger ships.
Many Of them lay their courses over
the shortest routes and take chances
with Ice and fog. They therefore sight
and report Ice that 10 not seen by the
lookouts Of the patrol vessels. An Ice
berg 10 likely to be reported several
times. Because Of this there results the
popular impression that icebcrgs are far
moro numerous than they actually are
The ice patrol 10 rendering an eff
cient service. A recent report Of the
ratrol advises that at the first report
OF the appearance Of Ice below the forty
fourth parallel OF latitude the steamship
lanes be shifted southward. The reason
therefor is obvious when one considers
the fact that icebergs once drifting into
the Labrador current are carried rap
idly southwark. Shifting the steamship
lanes below the forty-fourth parallel
takes them we'll beyound the southerly
limit OF dangerous icebergs. r..
NEW YORK, August 26.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28

tion the New Yorker may be con-
fused to such an extent as to select
bis taxi from some other motive
besides its distinctive coloring. He
may take one that looks strong or
new or swift instead Of being guided
altogether by the optic nerve. Then
It will be time to investigate the
question of why he was supposed to
be guided in his choice of transpor-
tation altogether by the color sense.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
A Safe Prophecy.

From the London Doiip Moii.
Few man there are who do not yearn
For fame--alas how often vainiy--
Such as those gifted beings earn
Who can foretell the future plainly.
My own. indeed, is such a case,
But ah how seldom am I right on
The question of to-morrow's race
At Newmarket or Ayr or Brighton.
All Europe's future. too. is dark;
I own Il to my shame and sorrow.
cannot tell you what the mark
Ii like TO realize Tomorrow
Tho rise and fall OF stocks and shares
Are quite beyond my comprehension:
Even my own quite small affairs
Are problems In the fourth dimension
But when some trustful creature comes
And asks me What about tn,
weather."
Then can raise exultant thumbs;
That IL too easy altogether.
tap the glass and scan the sky.
And, with q gesture. draw the curtain
That wells the future. ana reply
Conditions will be most uncertainr'
TOUCH sroHn.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
Six Generals Asked TO Resign.

The War Department has suggested
that four Major Generals and two
Brigadier Generals, who will reach
the age OF compulsory retirement
within nine months, retire volun-
tarily now and thus enable the army
to retain a number Of Colonels and
junior offcers who otherwise would
be discharged because Of reductions
in commissioned personnel directed
by Congress.
BY voluntary retirement these
Major-Generals and Brisadier-Gen-
erals and their dependents would not
lose any pecuniary advantages ex-
cept the difference between their re-
tired pay-three-fourths OF their ac-
tive pay-and the active pay which
they would receive II they remained
in service up to the time when they
would be compelled under the law to
retire. The law makes retirement
compulsory at "a years OF age and
voluntary after thirty years Of SER
vice. The officers mentioned come
under the latter category.
The high desirability Of keeping
promotion open in the army is obvi-
GUS, and the personal sacrifice these
general officers are requested to make
would be for the good of the whole
service 1t is not necessary, however,
that they should suffer loss of in
come through q patriotic act. Con-
gress well might enact law to re-
imburse them for the pay they would
forego by complying with the War
Departments request.
The New York herald., 1922-08-28
WEST INDIES BISHOPS
IN THREE CITY PULPITS
Members of Synod Will Be
Guests All Week.

The seven prelates OF the Anglican
Hierarchy OF the West Indies who arc
holding their annual synod In New
York for the first time Will be luncheon
guests throughout the coming week OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Haley Fiske.
Yesterday three az the Bishops
preached from New York pulpits. At
The Little Church Around the Corner"
the Right Rev. David William Bentley
preached, and at the Church Of 81.
Mary the Virgin and az st. Ignatiuss
tie Right Rev. Il. Arthur Dunn, Lord
Bishop OF British Honduras, and the
Most Rev. Edward Hutson. Bishop Of
the Antigua, we're heard.
The preiates, who are at the Hotel lie
Marquis, hope 10 finish their session by
Saturday. They meet at the Episcopal
Church Mission House. AL Madison
avenue.