davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
A. Barton Hepburn.

The late A. BARTON HEPBURN was
great banker in more than the
power that he welded and the con-
fidence that the financial world put
in him. He was great on the intel
lectual side Of banking. He was an
economist as we'll as financier. He
understood finance from mathematics
at the bottom to psychology at the
top. For fifty years he had added
experience in every branch of the
banking science to his own remark
able inherent ability.
Expert mathematician, lawyer, leg
islator, State bank examiner and su-
perintendent, Federal Comptroller Of
the Currency, bank president and
corporation director, there was not
any part of the broad field Of money
and credit with which Mr.. HEPBURN
was not familiar. Even the bankers
of Europe, trained according to the
traditional requirements Of Conti-
mental finance, could envy him his
qualifications and experience.
One great bank bought smaller
one, not so much for the business
that came with the purchase as for
the acquisition, through the transac-
tion, of A. BARTON HEPBUEN's SER
vices. And in the same way he was
in demand wherever financial wis
dom was needed. The bankers cur
rency commission, the New York
State banking laws commissions, the
Federal Reserve Board, the interna-
tional trade conference-all sought
the guidance Of the distinguished
banker. New York and national
finance lose powerful figure in the
passing of Mr.. HEPBURN.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
"In God We Trvst."
Fault Found With the Lettering on
the New Silver Dollar.

To THE NEW YORK HERALD: Now that
the new silver dollars are coming into
circulation we are learning for the first
time that that good old slogan 'In God
We Trust" has degcnerated to I'm God
Wc Trvst.'
! suppose we should be thankful that
on the other side they didn't likewise
make It ";I Pivribvs Vnvm" and ''Vnited
States of America" But can anybody
suggest reason fo- this nonsense? ?
There are supposed to be twenty-sIx let
tcrs in the English alphabet, and no.
body objects seriously II the architect
OF monument or building chooses to
label 1t any old way that suits his own
ideas. II he does not like the letter u
he can drop it and use v. But when
II comes to coins Protest against Jug
Cling with the alphabet.
We were saved from the broken sword
emblem Of defeat. by public protest. 1t
seems to me quite as offensive TO IabaI
tho coin I'm God We Trvst." because
we don't trvst, wo trust.
JAMES WATTS.
NEW York. January rs.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
End the Street Slaughter!

The very serious highway condi-
tions which now exist in this State
have been put before the Legislature
in a committee report. Every year
the motor cars are killing 1000 per-
sons and injuring 100000. Speed laws
and local traffic ordinances have
failed to end the slaughter. THE NEW
YORK HERALD believes, therefore, that
the Legislature should accept the
joint committees recommendation
and establish State department to
cope with the appalling situation.
Motor cars are running wild. We.
hicles as fatal as locomotives in their
impact rush through the streets and
along the roads at the speed of rail
road trains. In thousands Of cases
they are run by persons physically,
temperamentally or morally unfit to
drive cars. This State has failed to
follow the wise example of New Jer-
sey and subject all drivers, profes-
sional or other, to rigid examina-
tion as to their skill with the machine
and their knowledge OF the laws and
rules of the road.
The legislative committees report
remarks that non-enforcement of the
laws relative to automobile traffic is
almost universal throughout the
State. Conditions in cities are better,
II adds, than elsewhere. But here in
New York, where the traffic police
men are excellent and where the
ordinance prohibits q speed of more
than fifteen miles an hour. we know
that we are killing men. women and
children at the rate OF three a day.
Fines. even brief Jail sentences. seem
TO have little effect upon speeders.
II one is rid of his mania another
wild driver takes his place in the
lists Of manslaughter. within a
month two eminent men, Baron
RosES and A. BARTON HEPBURN, have
been fatally injured by automobiles
in this city.
Here in New York, while the police
The New York herald., 1922-01-26

are setting traps for speeders on TO
mote and lightly travelled roads,
We see motor cab drivers rounding
crowded corners at twenty miles an
hour. We see huge trucks, weighing
tons themselves and carrying tons
more. going through congestion at
such speed that it would be beyond
the drivers power to stop il he saw a
child fallen in his path. Trucks,
says the report submitted to the Leg
islature, should be limited as to load
and speed. More than that, the
drivers OF them should be cured Of
their obsession that the streets were
made for them alone and taught that
human life is infinitely more impor-
tant than the swift delivery of a
dozen barrels of potatoes.
The new department which it is
proposed to set up is no place for
mere bureaucrats. 1t must go into
every angle of the present wretched
situation. 1t must prevent, first of
all, the presence on the roads and
streets of any driver not competent
in every way, of any vehicle not per-
fectly equipped as to steering and
braking. 1t should provide means by
which the employer of careless,
lawless or incompetent driver could
be held financially responsible for his
employees injury to human beings
and damage to property. The mad
ness of the roads has gone too far.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
Automobile History.
Doubts About It's Early Chapters Re-
yiyed BY Mr.. Selden's Death.

To THE New York HERALD: Some
times the lapse of time makes it impos-
sible to obtain correct data concerning
matters that later turn out to be of
great Importance. Therefore believe II
of Importance to check up authentic in
formation at time when such a course
is possible.
Within less than twenty-five years the
automobile industry has become one OF
the very greatest In the land. No other
single industry. I believe, can boast Of
such growth within such a short period.
Not only that, but 1t has rcvolutionized
our methods of living. Therefore the
history Of its beginning is important.
From a personal knowledge of many
of the early features OF the automobile
I believe some Of the statements regard
Ing the early activities of the late George
B. Selden are incorrect and misleading.
] believe now is the time to establish a
correct summary of these early events.
II my memory does not play me false
the idea of the so-called Scldcn patent
was based on driving a vehicle through
series OF gears instead OF the sys-
tenn termed direct connected. Also II
memory does not play me false the
earliest litigation was against Winton,
and others interested in the early in
dustry cooperatcd in the expense OF
lighting the suit.
My further belief is that this suit was
settled and there was as an outcome the
licensed association. headed by tho late
George II. Day. associate OF Colonel
Pope of bicycle fame. The licensed
association operated on the seldcn pat
ent and naturally fought the independ-
ent manufacturers.
Who at that time actually owned tho
patent do not know, and royalties were
based on figures Of production.
There has always been moro or less
controversy as to who really was the
maker of the first automobile. Facts
OF this nature should be checked up
now instead of being left for future
generations to qubble over.
GEORGE NJ. Brown.
NEW yoRK, January %.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
A Message of Optimism.

President CHARLES ALEXANDER
RICHMOND Of that fine old seat OF
learning, Union College, of which the
State Of New York for more than a
century and a half has with much
reason been proud. is on tour of
the middle West. His purpose is to
carry message direct from the alma
mater to the numerous Union College
alumni associations in that part of
the country.
In all his addresses there has been
a ring of buoyant optimism which is
refreshing. He sees definite indica-
tions Of marked improvement IN
the spirit of the times. He sees it.
TO begin with, in the undergraduate
world of Union College. He notes
among the students there a greater
willingness to work. more respect for
authority and tendency to greater
cooperation among themselves.
And what he sees among Union un-
dergraduates he believes to be symp-
tomato of change for the better In
the spirit Of the entire country. He
thinks that we, and all the rest of
the world with us, have turned the
corner and are on the broad high
way toward brighter horizon. He
finds that it is not merely from busi-
ness depression that we have been
suffering. The trouble is worse than
that. It comes from spiritual depres-
sion. from loss of faith--faith ipour-
selves, faith in ideals faith in Con.
In support OF that opinion Presi-
dent RICHMOND cites evidence from
the business world. He quotes a. sta
tistical and financial authority as
saying that "it Is evident the real
difficulty in the country to-day is
spiritual" He repeats from the
monthly letter of New York bank
the statement that I'VE do need a
revival OF the spirit. Faith is the
food of the spirit--faith in COP and
faith in man."
That the tensions and exaltations
of war which set the fabric Of
world civilization rocking and reel
ing OH its foundations should he fol-
lowed by depression in spiritual as
we'll as in material things was in
cvitable. This spiritual depression
was manifested In unwillingness to
work, in loss OF pride and Joy In
work: in lawlessness. in sullen re-
sistaLcc to authority, in accentuated
racial antipathies and hatreds, in
class antagorisms. in widespread in
dustriaI discomfort.
Now all Of this. says President
RICHMOND, has brought home to
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
Rival Armchairs.
The Property Of Grandmother Re.
ferred To In One Song.

To THE New YORK HERALD: do not
think the version Of the song. "The Old
Arm Chair" as furnished by "R. H. a."
Is tho one referred to recently by Il. r.
Valentine recall hearing IL IN the
distant past as follows:
How they Uttered. how they chnffcd;
How my brother and my sister laughed.
When they heard the lawyer declare.
That Granny only left to me her old arm
chair.
Ono night the chair fell down,
When I picked II up I found
The scat had fallen out upon tho floor.
And there. to my surprise. saw before my
eyes
A lot Of notcs--ten thousand pounds or more.
Then there was a verse about the
brother when he heard OF this, how "he
near went wild with rage and tore his
hair" But here memory falls me. The
song Is obviously imported. T.E.G.
NEW YoRK, January %.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
Our State Police School.

The second session of the New
York State School for Police will open
at Troy on February 1. 1t will be
continued during the entire month.
There will be morning and afternoon
instruction every day Of each week
except Sunday, the session closing
with final examinations in the morn
ing of February 2S and in the eve
ming with graduating exercises in the
Troy Young Mems Christian Associ-
alton auditorium and with an alumni
dinner to the graduating class. In
struction is free to any citizen 21
years of age who wants to become a
policeman and can meet the entrance
requirements.
OF her municipal and State police
organizations New York has every
reason to be proud. They are phys
ically, mentally and morally as fine
bodies of men as any country or mu-
nicipality in the world can produce
in similar organizations. For this rea.
son any member who fails to main
tain the high standards of honor and
courageous efficiency which we have
come to regard as characteristic of
our police is naturally held up to an
especially severe public condemna-
tion. This is only just-just to the
public whose lives and property are
confided to police guardianship and
above all to the police force itself.
In maintaining the proper police
spirit, in educating the rank and file
in an intelligent understanding OF
their duties and responsibilities, this
State School for Police is doing an
admirable service. Alternating with
physical training, including horse
manship, there is every day Of the
session instruction by competent au-
thorities in all fields of police work.
Indeed, the candidate for police ap-
pointment who attends the full course
Of educational discussions and passes
the frequent preliminary tests and
the final examinations should carry
away with him not only broad
grasp of the entire scope Of police
duties but very fair general knowl-
edge of criminal law.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
Banks and Housing.
A Defense Of Privileges Given to
Building and Loan Associations.

To THE NEW YORK HERALD: AS chair
man of the housing committee of the
National Association of Real Estate
Boards 1 wish to take exception to the
remarks of Thomas b. Patton. general
counsel of the American Bankers Asso-
citation. as quoted in. your paper. in
which he condemns the exemption from
taxation in the new Federal revenue
act OF income up to $500 from deposits
in building and loan associations as
"class legislation of the most vicious
type"
The banks have no one but themselves
tc blame for the situation. Ever since
the signing OF the armistice this coun-
try has been faced by a serious housing
situation which is very largely due to
the difficulty in obtaining money from
banks for mortgages on real estate. A
recent questionable sent out to the
real estate boards throughout the coun-
try showed an almost universal shortage
Of mortgage money.
The banks of the country have In re-
cent years preferred to invest In other
forms OF securities because Of the higher
rates of interest obtainable, and when
willing to loan on real estate have usu-
ally been unwilling to recognize even
the moderate increases in value. which
they have considered as only temporary.
This last attitude has greatly interfered
with new construction, since 1t has been
impossible to obtain from this source
the same proportion of costs that 1t
was formerly possible to get.
The banks have found 1t to their
financial advantage to neglect loans on
residential property and not to assist in
promoting building Of homes. and the
building and loan associations and CO.
operative banks have had to take on the
work the other banks have cast off.
Home ownership is most vital to the
stability Of any community and Of the
country and must be encouraged. The
building and loan associations are the
greatest factors to-day in encouraging
and assisting the building of homes.
The failure of banks to meet the demand
for loans on real estate has more than
justified Congress in helping the build
ing and loan associations to meet the
Increased demands upon them.
AeSlSIdtloH 10 aSSlSt tneSe dSSOcld-
tions to get the necessary money and
to encourage the people Of this country
to own their own homes is not "class
legislation Of the most vicious type"
1t is no more class legislation than the
exemption of incomes below certain
amounts or the graduated surtaxes on
incomes. 1t is legislation clearly de-
signed in the interest of the country.
When the banks of this country are
willing to loan money on mortgages on
residential real estate on the same terms
and at the same interest rates as build
ing and loan associations I am sure
that they will find Congress willing to
give them the same rights or privileges.
HENRY r. BRIGHAM.
BOSTON, January "a.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
A New State Tax System.

The changes in the New York tax
laws contained in the program sub
mitted to the Legislature by Senator
DAvENPoRT's Joint Legislative Com
mittee on Taxation and Retrench-
ment are some of them revolutionary
but most of them long and urgently
needed.
From the point of view of both the
magnitude of interests involved and
the magnitude OF injustice done un-
der the existing statutes the radical
reform in the taxation of public util-
tiles is by far the most important
They all carry crushing tax burdens
at present, but in particular some of
the electric railway companies are
well nigh buried under their taxes.
They are compelled to pay more than
3S per cent. of their net income in
taxes, their local real estate taxes
taken into account, and where their
fares are fixed by public control they
have been, as the committees report
declares, literally taxed into bank
ruptcy."
Tho committee proposes the COM
plete adjustment of the so-called spe-
cial franchise tax now imposed on
the basis Of treating the special fran
chise valuations as real estate. But
this change cannot be made without
disturbing the debt limit conditions
of the various localities until there is
an amendment to the State Constitu-
tion by which the elimination of the
special franchise shall not operate to
diminish the borrowing power of the
localities. Meanwhile as prompt re-
lief the committee proposes that the
whole complicated mass of State
taxes on public utilities be imme-
diately abandoned, except for the spe-
cial franchise feature, and that there
be substituted "gross-net tax against
which special franchise taxes pend
ing the passage of the constitutional
amendment may be used as an Offset.
The committee also aims to do
away with the last lingering rem
nants of the personal property tax
now falling into disuse as it long ago
fell into disfavor. The State tax
on real estate which is so heavily
burdened in the localities also will go.
In New York city and other urban
communities, however, there will be
little improvement in the real estate
load by elimination of the State tax
so long as the waste and borrowing
of the localities go on unchecked. 1t
is recommended, therefore, that the
State undertake general tax read
justment which will distribute the
tax blows so that real estate, espe-
cially in the cities, will no longer be
the sole shock absorber.
Motor trucks and all motor vehicles
are to do more for the support Of the
roads, as they should do, not only
with the payment of higher license
fees but with a gasoline tax which,
when all is said and done, is about
as fair a measure of the use made of
the highways as one could devise.
Altogether Senator DAvENpoRT's
proposed tax changes are sound and
fair, and their merits can scarcely
fail as a Whole to get favorable ac-
tion from the Legislature.
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
The Intcrlude.

The great cantata of the year,
The Summer Time, was sung
With bubbling bird notes from the bough
In dulcct rapture flung
Tho grand march of the autumn too.
Was heard with drumming rains
And basso of the winds in deep
wagnerian rcfralns.
Midwinter stills the singing streams
And silenccs the nude
Brown earth. while tinkling tunes of slect
Render an interlude.
Until with joyous overture
or breeze and bird and bee,
Returning spring begins 20 play
Her master symphony.
MINNA IEvrNo,
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
by w. J. HENDERSON.

"Pelleas ct Melisande" and General
Director Mary Garden emerged upon
the stage of the Manhattan Opera House
last evening. Debussy's opera was heard
with profound attention by an audience
which, as usual at the performances OF
this unique creation, seemed stepped In
drowsy horrors and almost afraid to
voice it's approval OF the cold and deadly
misdoings on the stage.
"Pelleas ct Melisande" continues to
glide with ghostly step through the
tropic valleys Of lyric drama. 1t dwells
and walks alone, far from the madding
crowd of "Oracolos" and "Pagliaccis."
"Fausts" and Examinations of Fausts."
Like the Napoleon of Prentice. grand.
gloomy and peculiar. 1t sits sceptered
hermit wrapped in the solitude OF its
own originality" Blood and thunder
and rampant passions go unanimously
careering through ten thousand pages
of other scores. but here in this vision
ary land of Maeterlinck strange shades.
all pallid and bloodless. wander In chill
melancholy. loving in monotone, play
ing in intangible scales and dying In
indeterminate harmonies.
1t is thin. chill. pit!ful wall from
beginning to end. yet it's tragic spell Is
inescapable Its icy tentacles fold
themselves around every heart. It sends
shivers to the marrow Of the bones.
1t fills the night with dread and follows
one home like the creeping shadow of
pursuing doom. And the keynote Of 1t
is perfectly sounded in Miss Gardens
pale Melisande. lamentable prey of fate
(grim fate called Goulaud) and sitting
like a woman of ice by the fountain
while she murmurs in wan accents. "Je
vous aime aussi"
Unlike some other world famous opera
luminaries Miss Garden does not greatly
change with the slow shifting Of the
north star. Her MeHsGnde Is the same
yesterday and to-day and were she not
mortal it might be the same forever
The marble face. the slow undulatirg
walk. the subtle, low curves of the turn
ing head, the distant, thin tone. the
introspective style-all these remain
with the matchless aureole of hair that
drops from the window to strangle the
soul Of PelleGs.
Melisando is without doubt Miss Car
denis greatest creation. In it her per-
sonality becomes submerged and she
produces genuinely dramatic illusion
She is not required by this role to be a
singer, and the curious manner Of her
restless portamento fits the dialogue per-
fectly.
She had an efficient PeIleas last even
ing in Alfred Maguenat. He was a pic
ture for the eye. and his admirable act
ing. which always combines Elasticity
with repose in persuasive method OF
expression, was to the point in every
scene. Mr. Maguenat does not belong to
the line of mighty singers, but he is a
theatrical artist to his finger tips.
Mr.. Dufranne's Gottldud is as excellent
now as it was when the opera was pro-
duced here by Oscar Hammerstein. Nine.
Claessens as Gcnevieve: Edouard Cot
The New York herald., 1922-01-26
At the Poultry Show.

The thirty-third exhibit of the
Madison Square Garden poultry
show, which opened yesterday, is of
unusual value from an educational
viewpoint. The best specimens Of
the various types from the pens Of
the leading fanciers Of the United
States and Canada, as we'll as a
draft from the collection Of Lord
DEwAR Of England, will be reviewed
by experts of international reputa-
tion. Poultry raising is business
with many, while other persons find
in it recreation or hobby. What
ever the motive Of the fanciers the
annual poultry show is full of inter-
est to all of them.
Among the 1000 chickens, ducks,
geese, turkeys, pigeons and pheasants
shown this year the outstanding fea-
ture is the first public view Of the
new fowl developed at Beltsville.
Maryland. by HARRY LAMoN, the ex-
pert in charge of poultry develop
ment for the Department Of Agricul-
ture. This type, which is named
Lamona in honor Of the man who
spent ten years in developing it, was
evolved from blending characteristics
of the silver gray Dorking, the white
Plymouth Rock and the single comb
white Leghorn. The object sought
was a white bird with red ear lobes,
yellow skin and legs, which should
lay white eggs and have desirable
qualities for the table. Experts pro-
nounce the new bird to be welcome
accession to the poultry world.
Those who breed poultry for egg
production will find types in the Fed
eral exhibit that come from genera
tions of birds which have been lay
ing 200 or more eggs a year, while
the fanciers whose object is the de-
velopment of meat producing fam
lily will see cockerels ten months old
that weigh thirteen pounds and have
as much bone as turkey.
For those with liking for bril-
liant plumage there are pheasants and
ducks OF every degree and the high
stationed pit game cocks whose clar-
ion notes sounded clear above all
the other challenges which made the
Garden musical from the opening OF
the show.