davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
SAFETY TRUST COMPANY

Believing that there is need Tor an
outstanding and pointed term Tor
reckless automobile drivers-a term
that will at once convey rldlcule ana
opprobrium-the American Automo-
bile Association has therefore mau-
gurated a campaign to unearth ut
ting sobriquet.
The plan ot the A. \. a. is to brand
the reckless motorist with a name that
will be as comprehensive and become
as popular as the term "Jay-walFer
which is now applied to the careless
pedestrian. For such a term the or
ganization is Offering S25 in cash.
The hunt is to be conducted in contest
form and all persons having what
they consider a suitable appellatlon
for reckless motorists are invited to
submit their choice to the national
Washington.
In aStatement covering its reasons
for seeking brand for reckless mo-
florists, the A. A. A. sets forth;
The American Automobile Assoc
iation wants Il name which will brand
reckless motorists just as Gay walk
ers" brands careless pedestrians. A
iay-walker is a person not sufficiently
civilized TO eros the street at the pro-
per crossings. He or she endangers
public safety as well as Cbstructing
traffic. The jay-walker deserves pro
secution, but even more effective Is the
ridiculc carried by this term.
The millions of orderly and careful
motorists in the country suffer be-
cause of the few thousands who are
rowdy and careless. A name is want
ed to show these drivers that they do
not belong Police records show
that a heavy percentage of accidents
are due to the recklessness of pedes-
trains. but that places a furthr re
sponsibility upon the motorists to take
extra precautions for safety"
The contest, which is open to all,
will close May Is, and the award VIII
be made May 20. Persons wishing
to submit names should address Con-
test Editor. American Automobile AS
sociation. HOS Sixteenth St, Wash
ington, D. c.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
Bogus Treasury Certificates

Washington, April 5.--Director
Lew Wallace, Jr., of the Savings Dl-
vision Of the Treasury Department,
has received information from the
Directors of Savings in the Federal
Reserve Districts to the effect that
there has been throughout the coun-
try an alarming increase IN. the
number Of swindlcrs, takers, bogus
bond sellers, and glib takers, skilled
in taking money away from people
Department officials are very CRATE
full to the press of the country Tor
calling public attention to the ne
farious operations of the Swlndlers
and exposing their methods. 80 lar
as the government is concerned, the
officials say, it can do nothing save
to warn the people against dealing
with strangers they know nothing
about, and at the same time to tell
them to invest their money in good
securities either at banks, IN Treas.
ury Savings Certificates, or Postal
Savings, which can be obtained at
any post office. The government has
no method of reaching the schemers
who find it so easy to wheedle hard
earned money from the gullible, un-
less federal laws are broken. When
the mails are used for defraudlng
people the government can reach out
and seizes the offender, as well as
deny him the use Of the mails in the
future by a fraud order, In territory
controlled by the United States the
government is also in a position to
run down and punish criminals. But
that control covers only a small area.
The whole country, practically, Is
policed by the different states. The
states make their own blue Sky
laws" and the Swindlers and similar
criminals must be arrested and pun
ished by the state authorities
At the same time the Treasury
Department, where much informa,
ton regarding swindling operations
IS sent. desires to encourage the pu-
blicity campaign that is now being
waged against the scoundrels who
are Fleeing the people Only through
a concerted effort by the press OF
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05

public, or in any event to the MEM
bers of the press. Too much care
cannot be exercised to allay sus-
picion and convince the electorate
OF the good faith of those who
are sponsors of this movement in
behalf OF our new city govern
ment. Certainly, if ever there
was an occasion in which the peO-
pie are entitled to be kept fully in
formed of the preliminaries in the
framing of a ticket naming their
public servants, it is this event
which is, perhaps, the most I'M
portant that has ever occurred in
Alexandria.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
INABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH

Washington, d. c. March-The De-
partment of Commerce, through the
Bureau of the Census, has today is
sued a statement showing the num-
Der and per cent of the foreign-born
white population of the United States
10 years of age and over who were I'M
able to speak English, compiled from
the returns of the Fourteenth Decen-
NAL Census, taken as of January l,
1920.
The foreign-born white population
Of the United States 10 years ago and
over ON the census date, 13,497,SS6,
included 1,4S8,94S persons, or II per
cent of the total, who were reported
as unable to speak English. Both
the number and per cent are only
about half as large as in 1910, when
2,953,01 foreign-born white persons
10 years of age and over, represent
ing 22.S per cent of the total, were re-
turned as unable TO speak English.
The great decrease in this respect
during the decade is the result of sew
eral causes: Many of the immigrants
in 1910 who were unable to speak
English have since learned to do SO,
others have died, and still others have
returned to their native countries.
The number of Notwithstanding
immigrants who came to the United
States during the decade was much
smaller than during the preceding de-
cade, and the great majority of them
arrived prior TO August 1, 1914, and
therefore has had time to learn the
language before the census of 1920
was taken.
The largest proportions unable to
speak English are found in Texas,
New Mex, and Arizona, more than
two thirds of foreign white inhabi-
tants were born in Mexico. The per-
centages unable to speak English in
the foreign-born population 10 years
of age and over in these states were
as follows: Texas SIT; New MeXi-
co, 49.4; and Arizona, 51,9. In no
other state was the percentages as
high as 20, and in only two other
states-West Virginia and Florida,
with1S.3 per cent and 1873 per cent,
respectively-was it higher than IL.
The smallest percentages of per-
sons unable to speak English in the
foreign-born white population appear
for the following states and District
Of Columbia; South Carolina. /, g;
Georgia, /, 8; Kentucky, 2. 2; North
Carolina, 81; District of Columbia,
.2,S; Washington, 80; Oregon, 3. 3;
Tennessee, 5, 3; Montana, 3. 1; Nir-
ginia, 3, I; Utah, (, l; Alabama, 1, 2;
Iowa, (. 3.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05

the land exclusive Of buildings, and TO
certify to the councils Of said city
the aggregate valuation of city prop
erty subject to taxation. 1t shall be
the duty of said councils, in determin-
ing the rate-for the years 1914 and
1915 to assess a tax upon the build
ings equal to nine tenths of the high
est raJe of tax 1916, 1917 and 1913,
to assess a tax upon the buildings
equal to eight tenths Of the hibheSt
rate of tax required to be assessed
for those years; and for the years
1919, 1920 and 1921, to assess tax
upon buildings equal to seven-tenths
OF the highest rate of tax required TO
be assessed for those years and for
the years 1922, 1928 and 1924, to ass
ess tax on buildings equal to SIX
tenths of the highest rate Of tax re-
quired to be assessed for those years;
and for the year 1925 and for each
year thereafter, to assess a tax upon
buildings equal to five tenths Of the
highest rate of Sax required to be
assessed for the year 1925, and for
each year thereafter, respectively, 50
that upon the said classes Of real
estate of said city there shall, IN
every year, be two rates Of taxation.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
COMPLIMENTS GAZETTE NJ

Our neighbor, the Washington
Herald, compliments the National
Publicity Edition OF the Gazette
as follows:
Il Pi0Hecr-QHd a Modern.
The oldest daily newspaper i'll
the United States has lost none OF
its capacity for excellence since the
days when its editor used to step
across the street to George Wash
ington's office and discuss politics
on warm summer afternoons.
The Alexandria Gazette demon
strated this in conclusive fashion
by its national publicity edition
last week. The neighboring city
is to be congratulated on the up
to-date efforts made by this jour
nalistic pioneer to serve the needs
of a twentieth century community
without letting go any of the
charm of the eighteenth century,
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
YAGRANCY IN ALEXANDRIA

If we are not mistaken this
week is Cleanup Week in this
District. Which brings to mind
that there can be Il moral cleanup
as well as physical clean up. This
is apropoS OF the apparently large
number Of idlcrS that inieSt our
street corners. One of our eStl-
mable citizens informs us that on
Monday he was 4 witness to 4
slight accident on King Strict
and that within a few minutes
thereafter a crowd gathered at
the scene, numbering at least a
hundred and fifty to two hun
dred men. That most OF this mob
were negroes, but that a fair pro-
portion were young white men.
While it is true that an accident IN
any city will always draw 4 crowd,
yet, as a rule it is composed OF pas
sers-by and occupants OF the ADA
cent shops and Offices. 1t is claim
ed however, that the crowds III
Alexandria are often composed
of d hoodlum clement that ire
quentS our street corners, appar-
emily loungers without visible
means of support.
We have laws covering these
conditions and they should be I'M
doubleday exercised. 1t is RUM
ored about town. and the rumorS
seemingly have some foundation.
that there is boot-legging going
on, and that the boot-leggers form
a part of our street-idlers.
We suggest to Mayor Duncan
that he take a census OF this
dawdliug clement of Our popula-
ton, and that the vagranCy laws
be put in immediate operation. y
vagraut is defined in law to be a
person without visible means OF
support. Those who may come
within this definition can be dealt
with promptly and efficiently,
once the Mayor and police have
their names.
Nor is there any better time to
begin than this week. which, as we
stated. is Cleanup Week in this
District.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
DOCTORS
MADE IT
FAMOUS
GUIDES Pepto-Mangan Has
Been Prescribed by Ply
sicians for Thirty
Years

Doctors wanted iron in form easily
absorbed into the blood and it was one
of them, DR.. A. GUIDE, who found the
way to give it. II is now sold by drug
gists everywhere-almost every drug
gist in the United States has GUIDES
Pepto- Mangan in both liquid and
tablet form. Doctors everywhere adj
wise weak and rundown people to
build up with this splendid tonic. 1t
puts color into the cheeks and in
creasos strength and vitality by max
ing the blood rich and red, and that is
the only true and sure way to keep
well. If you are all tired out and nery-
Gus and feel half sick and cross
take GUIDES Pepto- Mangan for a few
weeks at meal time and you will feel
like q new being. 1t is a wonderful
tonic, and you will be delighted with
the results. Advertisement.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05

ing corporations and from four
mil tax on money at interest, which
is largely evaded except in case Of
mortgages, which must be placed on
the public records. The usual state
tax Is imposed on automobiles and in
heritances and recent law taxes gas
.oIIne and hard coal.
There is a small mercantile license
tax on dealers which is very obnox-
ious to large number of people and
will probably be repealed in the near
future. Practically no taxes are lev
led anywhere in the state on personal
property so that household goods,
stocks of goods and checking bank
accounts are entirely free of taxation.
Machinery used in manufacturing is
exempted in the cities Of Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh and Scranton but is asses
sed Tor county purposes at low values.
Practically all municipal revenue
throughout the state is derived from
tax on real estate which is assessed
IN seperate items for land and build
lngs at 30 per cent to 80 per cent of
value.
What Pittsburgh Did
What has become known as THE
PITTSBURG PLAN" however, ex-
lists under special legislation cover
ing only second class -Pittsburg
and Scranton-and has proven of such
value that the third claes cities of the
state are endeavoring to have the
Legislature extend the system to them
years have passed. Philadelphia is
also taking notice"
This law is locally referred to as
the. Graded Tax Law" was enacted
in 1913, and has aroused the greatest
interest. 1t provides that the NUM-
clpal mlllage on buildings, as COM
pared with that on land, shall be re-
duced 10 per cent for the years 1914
and 1915, and an additional 10 per
cent each third year thereafter, until
the millage on buildings shall be So
per cent of that charged on land. In
1925 and there after buildings will
only pay half the milliage charged
on land
The Graded Tax Law was much
needed, as owing to wild speculation,
land values in Pittsburgh has been
boosted beyond all reason and were
preventing new plants from locating
the city. 1t was thought that law
would have a tendency to prevent fur
Their land initiation, all of which has
been borne out by experience.
Most cities since the war had con-
siderable land initiation, while Pitts
burgh land values remained stationary
and in many instances declined so that
the land values of competitive cities
are now equal to or higher than those
in Pittsburgh, which will insure Pitts
burgh a greater growth during the
present decade than it enjoyed during
the last decade, owing to its prohibi-
tive land values. Large landed eS-
tates held intact for several genera
tions, with a fixed "no sale" policy,
are now glad to sell land at reason
able prices.
The benefit Of the Graded Tax Law
is most clearly demonstrated by the
stimulation it has given building, and
when selfish interests attempted its
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05

repeal, the Pittsburgh Chamber of
Commerce and all other civic bodies
came to its defense although many of
them had oringinally opposed it.
Owing to the stimulus of this law.
the amount OF Pittsburgh building
permits per 1000 of increased popu-
lation, from 1914 to 1920 inclusive,
exceeded those of her competitive cit
les as follows
% per cent more than New York.
81 per cent more than st. Louis, 66
per cent more than Philadelphia, 66
per cent more than Cleveland, 81 per
cent more than Buffalo, 1856 per cent
more than Detroit, 238 per cent more
than Baltimore.
The favorable experience with the
Graded Tax Law has caused a strong
movement for the abolition of all taxes
on buildings and the Allied Boards Of
Allegheny County are now proRos-
ing such a program, which has the
support of maiIy OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ic, Labor, etc.
New York City got quick results
from its law abolishing all taxes on
new residences for ten years, 1921
building being 800 per cent of 1920.
Land value is a dead load on both
labor and capital and it will never be
known how great a measure of indus
trial prosperity is really possible, UNI
til the burden of taXatiVn is removed
entirely and enterprise, and placed
where in all equity it belongs, on the
community-created values of land.
THE LAW
Pennsylvania Laws of 1918, page 2O9i
No. LAT. For Cities of the Second
Class pittsburgh and Scranton
Sec. /. Be it enacted, etc.
Art. VI. Department of assess
ors. They shall classify all real es-
tate in the city in such manner, and
upon such testimony as may be adj
duced before them, so as to distin-
guish between buildings on land and
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05

the country can information be given
to all the people, with a warning
against all confidence men, gilo
takers, promoters, takers, and all
others who cannot show credentials
and an honest purpose. Treasury or
ficials EXPRESS amazement that peo-
pie will pass by bank, or post Of
tice, where Treasury Savings Ter
tificates and Postal Savings can be
obtained, and hand their money over
to the first smooth talker who shows
them a glittering gold brick or
highly colored and protusely pc
tured stock certificate.
While the government did not IN
augurate the Postal Savings System
and the New Issue of Treasury
Certificates solely for the purpose
of protecting the people against the
confidence men it has no doubt saved
many millions which would have
gone into the hands of those who
make a business of swindling. Pos
tai Savings deposits now amount to
Sl45,000,000, rs per cent coming
from people of foreign countries,
although the interest on such saw
ings IS only , per cent. The foreign
born people believe that this money
Is safe with the government.
The Treasury Savings Certificates
are an outgrowth of the World War.
When War Savings Stamps were
sold, mainly as a means of obtaining
money held by people in small
amounts, it was learned that there
was a spirit of thrift and saving
throughout the country, which oughc
to be encouraged. After the war 1t
was found that the War Savings
Stamps did not meet the changed
conditions, and a better method was
developed in Treasury Savings GER
tificates. These new certificate have
proven to be a vry attractive form or
investment wherever they have be-
come known, paying interest at the
rate of l-2 per cent, compounded
semi annually, making 3 per cent a
year when held to maturity, which
is five years. They are Issued in de-
nominations as low as $25-a certif-
icate Of $25 can be bought for $40
bringing them within the reach Of
every persot& with an inclination to
save. They Halso are available for
person of larger means, as certifi
ates 10 the amount of $4,000 can be
purchased for $4,000.
The need Of the government for
money resulted in the sale of bonds
and War Savings Stamps. The
Treasury Department learned that a
spirit of saving had grown up in
the country, but the War Savings
Stamps did not meet the require
ments of the people, and provision
was made to issue Treasury Savings
Certificates which have proven very
popular The government still needs
money; it must have money to refund
and liquidate war obligations. We
are still paying mighty sums to
finance a war three years past, and
will continue to pay for years to
come. Consequently the Treasury
couples with its plan OF saving
method of putting into active chan
nels of commerce millions of money
that would otherwise remain idle
The Treasury Department hopes that
its attractive and safe investments
will save people from themselv es;
them from the shrewd criminals, the
sleek sharers, the busy bunko men,
and all others of that like, who have
been operating in every part Of the
country with so much success to
themselves and with such disastrous
result to so many confiding people.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT

The Committee OF fifteen that
were elected at the Mass Meeting
at the Elks Hall recently, are to
meet tonight, presumably to con-
slider the naming OF the oandi-
dates for the new City Council.
There seems 10 be a feeling pre-
valent among the voters OF the city
that this committee should guard
against naming any OF lis own
number for the Council So that
any appearance OF previously ar
ranged program may be avoided.
We suggest that in order to
keep clear OF any semblance OF
star-chanber proceedings. the
meeting be thrown open to the
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
THE GAMBLERS sTEEPLE

This story was told me several years
ago by an old resident Of Alexandria
shortly before he was gathered to his
fathers:
The old market house." as it
was called, which contained the city
market, the city and State Offices and
the Masonic temple, was a wooden
and brick structure and was destroyed
by fire in May. 1871. Originally it had
no stceple and town clock" In the
early part Of the last century, when
gambling houses flourished openly in
Alexandria, a stranger arrived here,
made the rounds of the gambling
places and in few days cleaned up
all the money in sight. How to keep
him from leaving town with his win
mngS, amounting TO several thousand
dollars, was a poser, but finally some
one remembered an old statute under
which gambler could be arrested as
a vagrant and his services for a GER
tain period sold to the highest bidder
The stranger was arrested and was
permitted 10 bid himself in" for
about the sum 1t was estimated he had
WIN AASi' " fUtStio'l OF WHAT 20 90
with the money arose. 1t was finally
decided TO use it to build a steeple on
the market house" hence, the gam
bler'S Steeple." Plans for the present
city hall did not provide for d steeple
and the late John B. Daingerfeld, at
that time considered the wealthiest
man in Alexandria, gave the $4,000
for the erection of a Steeple and the
purchase of town clock" The pres
ent steeple is nearly a duplicate of the
gamblers steeple," but it is larger.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
Progressive System
Of Taxation
The Pittsburg Plan

As in biblical days surprise was
expressed that any good thing could
come out Of Nazareth to to-day it viii
doubtless surprise many people to
know that a splendid system of tax
alton exists in that boss ridden city
of PittsburC located in that strong
hold Of political reaction-the state
Of Pennsylvania.
1t exists as ten result Of an effort to
correct he system Of assessing large
tracts of pdoperty held out Of use for
speculation agricultural" and
charged one-half the tax rate, and
houses surrounded by trees and
shrubbcryT as rural at onc-third the
rate, which was abolished in 1911. In
terest created in taxation methods by
this movement, and especially with
the aid of a progressive mayor CIV.
A. Magee elected mayor again IN
1920 the system of reduced taxes
on improvements was adopted in 1913.
The city benefited greatly from this
system and it has the enthusiastic sup
port of all classes OF citizens except
perhaps the owners of vacant land.
They constitute much less than , per
cent of the population Of any city so
the system measures up 10 that fund
amental axiom of democray--the
greatest good Tor the greatest num-
Der.
State Revenue
The general tax laws Of the state
are fairly satisfactory to begin with,
as the great bulk of state revenue Is
raised from capital stock tax on
corporations other than manufacture
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
IN MEMORIAM

In loving remembrance of our
dear son, EARL S. CROCKETT, who
departed this life two years ago
today, April 5.
The moon and stars are shining
On a lone and silent grave,
Beneath lies the one we loved SO
dearly,
But whom we could not save.
There is ours who will still linger,
At the spot where you are laid,
Who will come and scatter flowers
On the grave that Christ has made
Mother and Father.
Slip. Sisters and Brothers.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-05
IN MENlORIAM

Sacred to the memory Of my be-
loved daughter, FRANCIS MARCH,
RITE GAINES, who fell asleep in
Jesus, Sunday, April 6, 1919, at 5
p. m.
Often to my heart comes the bitter
cry,
Why, oh, why, did my darling die?
Then comes the answer so solemn
and sweet,
Francis is not dead, she is only
asleep.
Sleep on dear Francis and take thy
rest,
I loved you, but God loved you
best
Her devoted mother,
slip. Pearl k. Games