davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
The Port Hearing

The port improvement hearing at
Albany yesterday only emphasized
the incongruities of the deadlock be-
tween the city government and the
friends Of the b-state enterprise
Mayor Hylan didn't appear in per
son. but his letter and Comptroller
Craig's speech expressed the view
point Of the Board of Estimate and
Apportionment. The board is the
victim Of an obstinate geographical
and political obsession. The port
area lies in two states and includes
106 municipalities. Unified develop
ment must proceed under authority
from these two states and all these
cities. II any city sets up its own
claims as paramount and tries to go
it alone with it's own particular plan
the future of the port will be hope
less. New York would have to fight
the rest Of the port area for su-
premacy. And the trunk line termi-
nails, which are the essentials in any
modern port scheme, are mostly in
the outlying region.
The Mayor and Mr.. Craig prefer
disunity to unity. They fear that
New York City will be overreached
if the port is treated as a whole
But the good Of the whole cannot
but mean the good Of the parts. The
economic interest Of the communi-
ties on both sides Of the Hudson
River is undivided. State lines
have no significance when it comes
to relieving port congestion here.
removing the handcaps which are
imposed by that congestion on the
merchant and manufacturer and re-
ducing the excess cost Of living
through delivery waste which falls
as heavily on the consumer in New
York as it does on the consumer in
New Jersey.
New York's status as a port is
threatened from many sides. The
st. Lawrence canal project is in
the offing. We are not doing any
thing to draw export business here
We are penalizing our own people
by neglecting to bring the port up
to date
Quarrels over the lodgment Of
authority are unreasonable. Prompt
action is the one imperative thing.
The city government isn't competent
to develop the port single handed.
1t is only standing in the light when
it insists that its plan must be pre-
ferred to the broader plan drawn
up under bi-state sanction and ad-
hered to by all the other port area
units.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
The Atlantic Graveyard
The Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Your editorial of this morning
on "Flaws in St. Lawrence Plan con-
tains an item of news which will be
hailed with delight by travellers be-
tween New York and other north At
antic ports and Liverpool and all other
European ports north Of the Mediterra-
mean. The statement I refer to is your
assurance that Frank NJ Williams, New
York's State Engineer and Surveyor,
has located what long has been known
as "the graveyard of the Atlantic" in
the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
I was brought up to understand that
the graveyard alluded to was in the
Atlantic Ocean, and some years ago
when travelled to St. Johns, Newfound-
land, some ships which had recently
been wrecked on the point of Cape Race
were pointed out to me by Captain
Smith Of the Rosalind as lying on the
edge Of the aforesaid graveyard. He
described to me the area, which in
cluded considerable field to the east
and southeast Of Cape Race, the latter
point being at the extreme northwest
Of a section Of the ocean which had
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Extending an Opportunity

The opportunity Of the Meyer
committee to supply proof of the
graft its earlier researches indicated
has been extended by the Legisla-
ture. There is little doubt that
these proofs can be dug up if the
CONN., ttee goes encrgetically upon
its quest.
The charge that through waste
favoritism and profiteering the sum
of eleven million dollars was lost
on piers alone has enough basis to
be WORTH following up relentlesslv.
There are many other matters which
the committee stirred up, only to
Scave almost Immediately in fever
,sh jump TO some other subject.
a complete overhauling Of the
record of the last four years of city
government is important and neces-
sary. Such an investigation can
best be conducted by a legislative
body which has the states authority
TO summon witnesses and to compel
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
F amous First Nights
D the Editor of The Tribune.

20 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: James l.. Ford, in an article
in your issue of January % on
Famous First Nights" in referring to
Lester Wallack's company and old Eng
lish comedies which he so ably pro-
duced, reglects to mention one who for
many years brilliantly filled the posi-
tion Of leading woman in the company
and who at the present day adorns any
production in which she appears.
Has he forgotten her Lady Alice
Hawthorne in cold Heads and Young
Hearts" Lady Gay Spanker in London
Assurance" Miss Hardcastle in "She
Stoops to Conquer" or the Lady Teazle
who combined irresistible charm and
unhagging vivacity with the traditional
"grand manner" Of old comedy?
To those of US who "assisted" at the
first performance Of "Forget-M Me Not
in America and who are able to say "1
remember her when" she first played
Stephanie de Mohrivaxt and the house
"rose at her" the omission of Rose
Coghlan's name from an article on
famous first nights is incomprehensible.
II. L. R.
Bloomfield, N. j.. Jan. 80, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
The Old Soncs
To the Editor of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The letters in your paper recall
ing old and popular songs have been of
great interest and pleasure to me- and
many others. It may, therefore. revive
more memories in your readers to look
over the attached list of some not az
yet mentioned. The first few are of
older date than any l have so far seen
in these letters
"Laniean's Ball." 1858; "Gideon's
Band" 1854; "Not for joe" 1856:
Hard Times Come Again No More"
1868; Her Bright Smile Haunts Me
Still' 1867; Meet Me in the Lane.
Love-" 1870; "If Ever Cease to Love, J."
Lydia Thompaon; "Walking Down
Broadway" Lingard; "On the Beach at
Long Branch" Lingard; Long, Long
Ago; beautiful Isle of the Sea-:
after the Opera Bal?] IL Over;
"My Johanna Lives in Harlem" Jennie
Hughes; ITS English, You Know" H.
Dixey in "Adonis"; "Ta-ra-ra-ra. Boom
de-ay"; "Climbing Up the Golden
Stairs; "Razors Flying Through the
Air" F. Fl.
New York, Jan. go, 1929.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Helping Bellevue Patients

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: At present the wards Of Belle
vue Hospital are extremely crowded
with an unusual number of pneumonia
and influenza patients who, when dis
charged, should be sent to the country
1or convalescent care # their cure is
tc be complete. Owing to the very large
number of men out Of employment
this winter the majority of these cases
come into the Social Service Bureau
before being sent to the country, to bs
equipped with proper clothing.
l hope that some of your generous
readers may be able to help US in this
situation that we no longer have the
resources to meet We badly need
warm clothing of all kinds, especially
underclothes and overcoats or money
with which to buy them.
Contributions sent to Miss Mary E.
"sdley, Social Service Bureau, Belle
vue Hospital, will be most gratefully
received.
MARGARET S. TRUESDAIA
New York. Jan. go, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Bobcats and Cough Drops

Who Of US has ever grasped a vir-
ulent synura by its hind legs, or it's
tail, or whatever it is, and, whirling
1T about our heads, dashed it into
eternity? Who Of us has stalked the
flu protococcus to it's lair and
throttled it with bare hands? The
challenge is unanswered.
Yet in the remoter parts Of the
country, where the vigor of pioneer
days still persists, where there re-
mains an echo Of the spirit that
stormed this rockbound coast. such
deeds are recorded.
Yesterday, for example, the tele
graph wires brought from Ludlow,
VT, the story of John Sheehan, who
met bobcat upon mountain trail.
grlpped it by the throat and held on
until the beast was dead; and from
Minneapolis the story of Arthur
Lenner, who met large timber wolf
within the city limits, seized the ami
NAL by its legs and crashed it's head
against an iron railing.
But here, in the home of Jazz. we
cover before the whole assortment of
am9bas, protozoans and bacill. We
lntronch ourselves behind barricades
of pills and blankets. We build our
selves forts of chemicals and dig in.
What, we wonder, would one of US
who arms himself with volleys of
quinine and aspirin to battle with
the microscopic germ-what would
such one do if he met bobcat or
timber wolf in Park Row?
Ho! for the days of heroes, Let
the Indians bite the dust again.
Give US redblooded danger that
adds zest to life.
Please pass the cough drops!
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Conspiracy Is Dangerous

The indictment Of twenty-one cor
porations and twenty four indi-
viduals for violation Of the Donnelly
antitrust law is sufficient proof that
conspiracy to secure unlawful profit
has become dangerous. The indicted
comprise three labor union leaders
and number of individuals and
concerns engaged in the plumbing
and heating business. The indict-
ments are the outcome of recent in
vestigations by the Lockwood COM
mittcc.
Pending the conclusion of the
trials comment on these cases is
barred. 1t ia noteworthy. however.
that the public conscience has under
gone a considerable awakening in
the last three or four years. Com
blnaiions either of labor or capital
to seek undue advantage arc no
longer looked upon as justfable if
they accomplish the result, that
they seek.
1t is the individual who has no
concern in strike who has to pay
for it in the end, end it is the inno-
cent bystander who suffers from a
price-boosting combination.
Indicted employers as we'll as in
dicted employees are sure of a fair
trial on the charges brought against
them, and it is reasonably certain
that if they arc guilty they will be
convicted.
There is now no excited demand
for the scalp Of the profiteer, but the
protiteer who is caught will have
very little chance OF escaping un-
punished Proceedings instituted
and carried out without passion or
excitement arc far more likely to
secure justice and to end existing
evils than are prosecutions which
follow clamor for victims to public
indignation.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Intellectual Olympics

The world has heard no tumultu-
Gus approval Of the proposal re-
Gently made by NJ. Rameil, of the
French Chamber of Deputies, that
the next Olympic games, which occur
in 1924, should comprise competi-
tions in music, literature, drama and
art, as we'll as in athletic sports. The
proposal was made seriously and
was supported by men prominent in
the intellectual world, as we'll as by
some of the officials in charge Of
preparations for the Olympic games.
But 1t does not appear that any
steps have been or are likely to be
taken for its execution.
Yet it might we'll be asked, Why
not? 1t is true that prize competi-
tions in the arts have often resulted
in disheartening displays of medi-
ocrity. But it Is also true that they
have sometimes been productive of
works of high merit 1t is probable
that the former unwelcome results
have been due generally to the COM
mercial origin and character of the
competitions and of the prizes Of
fered. 1t ought to be possible to re-
form all that and to engage the
best efforts of the best minds in
intellectual competitions, in which
perhaps the prize should be, like the
classic crown of wild olive, precious
merely in its significance and not in
its intrinsic value.
Nor is the objection pertinent that
works Of literature and art must be
spontaneous and cannot be made to
order. That is not true. Some of
the finest works of graphic and
plastic art, and practically all great
works Of architecture, have been
made tc order" the last named
often in competition. Much of the
best literature is written with pre-
determined purpose There is no
need, moreover, that the works ex-
hibited and entered should have been
made with the competition in view.
A suitable authority in each country
might select the best works in vari-
GUS classes produced since the last
preceding Olympics and enter them.
The knowledge that his work. whether
produced spontaneously or to order,
might be thus chosen would have no
degrading effect upon any worthy
writer or artist. 1t does not injure
French writer's to know that their
works may be crowned by the
Academy or win the Goncourt prize.
1t is no handicap to writer's, scien-
fists, irenists and others through
out the world to know that they
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01

beaches and the shade of the palms.
At Lake Placid in February life
tingles. There's an unlimited sur
plus Of energy in the winter air of
the North Country. Great drafts Of
it are fine medicine for the city
dwcllcr.
The news that comes out Of the
ice land is not habby. New Hamp-
shire. not to be outdonc by Alaska
is staging this week a 120-mile dog
race in connection with thrce-day
winter sports carnival. Some Of
the entrants are descendants of the
Eskimo dogs that carried Peary
to the Pole. In the white Of the year
we are rather near neighbors of the
Aurora .oreais and are learning to
enjoy the acquaintance.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Proportional CITY Voting

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; This is to ask you and through
you all civic bodies of the greater citv
who are interested in the work of
cnarter revision now being done bv a
special commission appointed by the
Governor to suggest to the commits
sion that the principles of proportional
voting and proportional representation
in New York municipal elections and
municipal government be Incorporated
IN the new charter. Proportional yot
ing and representation would do awav
with a number of evils in the political
life of New York against which tho
progressive citizens of this city have
been battling in vain for manv. MANY
years.
First, it would tend to educate tho
people Of the City Of New York along
broad political lines, putting to the
fore issues of principal and general inn
portancc instead Of petty district
issues.
Second, it would simplify the bal
lot and election machinery, even il
complicating the count of the vote. and
would make election thefts and yote
burglaries impossible.
Third, it would do away with the
type of district representative who in
most cases is necessarily guided by
narrow local and parochial interests
instead Of the interests of the city at
large.
Proportional representation would
make municipal election in the City
OF New York battle of party plat
forms and parties instead of a contest
in personal mud singing and personal
vltuperation. B. c. VLADECK,
Alderman 56th District.
New York, Jan. 80. 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
High School English
Q Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There have been many criti-
cisms Of the poor English preparation
of our high school graduates. What
do the superintendent do about it?
A few years ago they cut down the
number of English periods from FIVE
to four q week.
There is still much complaint about
the poor English Of high school grad
yates. What have the superintendents
just done to remedy the situation? In
stead of giving the pupils more time
for English, five periods instead of
four, they have given the teachers more
classes in English. This means that
each pupil will have even less chance
than ever Of having his own particular
poor English corrected and improved.
A LONG-SUFFERING VICTIM.
Brooklyn, Jan. 80, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Mine Workers Would Confer
Statement of Their Willingness to
Meet with Coal Operators

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: | have noticed in some of the
papers in the last few days a tendency
to criticize the United Mine Workers
Of America for the failure of the
miners and the bituminous coal oper-
ators to meet in joint conference for
the purpose of negotiating a new wage
agreement to take the place of the pres
ent contract, which expires on March
81, 1922. | have read editorials which.
in effect, have placed the blame of this
development upon the miners. There
fore I wish to cali your attention to
the fact that it is through no fault Of
the coal miners that joint conference
is not held
When the coal operators and the
representatives Of the United Mine
Workers Of America met in joint con-
ference in New York by command of
the government they signed a wage
agreement, on March 81, 1920, in which
there is the following clause:
"Resolved, That an interstate Joint
conference be held prior to April l,
1929; the time and place for holding
such meeting to be referred to a
committee Of two operators and two
members from each state herein rep
resented, together with the interna-
national officers Of the United Mine
Workers of America"
The above paragraph was binding on
both sides to the agreement, but the
coal operators now refuse to live up
to that agreement. President John l..
Lewis of the United Mine Workers, act
ing in compliance with the above para
graph, invited the operators to meet
the miners in Pittsburgh on January g.,
to agree upon time and place for
holding the joint conference. The
operators refused to attend the meet
ing called for Pittsburgh, and Presi-
dent Lewis was obliged to cancel ar
rangements for the meeting. And the
operators still persist in their refusal
to meet with the miners, although they
signed the New York agreement, ap-
parently in good faith.
The miners are anxious to meet with
the operators, and are ready to do so
at any time, but there can be no joint
conference SO long as the operators
maintain their present attitude.
ELLIS SEARLES,
Editor United Mine Workers Journal.
Washington, D. c., Jan. %, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
the production Of papers and docu-

the production OF papers and docu-
ments.
The Tribune recently expressed
the opinion that the Meyer commit
tee did not adequately perform this
task. During It's life last year the
committee only partially exposed
graft and supplied little evidence
upon which prosecutions could be
based. Its opportunity is still be-
fore 1t, however. II 1t will now get
beneath the surface and bring actual
conditions to light it's members will
deserve the gratitude Of the com
munity, and the Legislatures deci-
sion to continue it will be amply
justified.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
Relief in Sight

Manifold ills have arisen from the
laws delay in New York. Tardy
justice has encouraged criminals
and helped the spread Of the crime
wave. Business concerns whose af-
fairs have in one way or another
become involved in legal proceed
lngs suffer tremendous losses be-
cause Of the lack of speedy ad
judication.
Always when courts are slow with
their grist poor litigants suffer, be-
ine often forced to abandon right
full claims because they cannot af-
ford the expense Of delay.
This state of affairs. as far as
New York City is concerned, there
is now hope of relieving. With the
assistance and approval of the Gov
ernor justices of the Supreme Court
have expressed their willingness to
sit in General Sessions and Judges
of General Sessions to sit in the
Supreme Court until accumulated
business can be dispatched
This will involve hard work and
long hours, but the value to the pub
lie will be great enough to compen-
safe the bench for the extra effort
If the calendars of the New York
courts can be once cleared of cases
that date back for months and for
years they can be kept clear in the
future, and Hamlet's grievance will
not apply to this metropolis.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01

earned the bad name by which It was
known.
In April, 1912, the Titanic went down
with fifteen hundred passengers at a
point about 600 miles south-southeast
of Cape Race, at latitude 41:6 north
and longitude 50:14 west, In tho same
graveyard, but at another location. The
Titanic was not sailing from Liverpool
to Montreal, but from Liverpool to New
York. But she lies in "the graveyard
Of the Atlantic" L. P. HALE.
Albany, N. Y, Jan. 80, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-02-01
No Franchise Tax Repeal
Protest Against discrimination" in
Favor Of Public Utilities

iVtCSt f1SdIllSt DISNIiIIllIldtIOIl Ill
Favor of Public Utilities
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir. As a dsinterested citizen wEo
has devoted some time to the study Of
taxation | should like to offer a pro
test against the proposition Of tho
Davenport committee on taxation and
rotrcnchmeht that the franchise tax on
public utility corporations be repealed
The repeal of this tax would mean
an unfair discrimination between cor
poratons Of various kinds and a still
more unfair discrimination between in
dividuals and special class of corpo-
ration
The methods Of taxation now en-
ployed by the State of New York in so
far as income is concerned are (a) the
taxation Of personal incomes and (b)
the taxation Of corporations by means
Of the franchise tax.
1t readily can be seen that the climi-
nation Of the franchise tax on public
utilities corporations would put an un-
fair disadvantage upon corporal lions
other than "publc utility" and upon in
dividuals If any class is to be favored
it certainly should be the individuals
and not the corporations, for the corpo-
rations enjoy privileges through the
consent OF the state that are denied to
individuals. The privilege Of limited
llsblitiy of corporations is certainly
worth paying for.
And as between corporations them
selves the Public Service Corporation
ought to be asked to pay q greater tax
than the ordinary corporation, in view
of the fact that its entire income arises
from the franchise given it bv the state
or the monopoly it enjoys with the con-
sent of the state. 1t may be more fair
TO tax public service corporations upon
the basis Of net income instead Of gross
earnings, but to eliminate the tax en-
tlrcly would be unfair to the state and
the rest Of the taxpaying public.
JACOB S. SEIDMAN,
New York, Jan. %, 1922.