davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
He Says 1t Who Shouldn't

Doubtless when Commissioner of
Accounts Hirshfield read in yester-
days newspapers the report Of his
utterances of the previous day he
was astonished at his own modera-
ton. He favored salaries of
$4,000 for the Mayor and $4,000
for the Police Commissioner and
other commissioners. But he said
not a word about the salary of the
Commissioner of Accounts.
Mr.. Hirshfeld based his plea for
higher compensation on the rather
unfortunate argument that people in
high office are constantly subject to
acute temptation. He appears to
believe that city officials are con-
stantly besieged by ruthless bribe
givers, intent upon presenting them
with large sums of money. He
points out the Police Commissioner
has opportunities to enrich himself
beyond the dreams of avarice-yet
he thinks that the addition Of
$500 a year to his stipend would
make him proof against the blan-
dishments Of corruptionists. He is
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06

not so specific about the Mayor.
Yet he asserts that there ought to
be adequate reward for excellent
service. And still not q word-di-
rectly at least-about tho pathetic
ally undcrpaid Commissioner Of
Accounts.
Mr.. Hylan, as is known to all
men, twice accepted the nomination
for the Mayoralty, we'll knowing
that the salary was exactly $4,000
a year. There seemed to be no pros
pcct Of an increase, yet he showed
no reluctance whatever in becoming
a candidate. None of the other
commissioners was in any doubt
about the compensation when he
accepted his place. Even Com
missioner Enright, whose contri-
buttons to charities, according to
Mr.. Hirshfcld, are something
enormous, walked right down to the
City Hall and took the oath Of Office
without ever wrangling over his
pay.
These gentlemen all let it be un-
derstood that their desire for public
service outran their greed for gain.
What they wanted was to do some
thing for tho people, not to lay up
money. Such being the case, it
would seem that temptation would
assaail them in vain. And anyway,
the addition of few thousands to
their salaries would not in any way
make up for. the fortunes which Mr..
Hirshfield intimates might be theirs
if they turned crooked.
AS long as the Mayor and the
other commissioners are content
why should Mr. Hirsh6cld worry?
If he thinks he is underpaid, that
no man can really be the defender
of the administration, the critic of
its critics, the overscer of its &C
tivities and official historian for the
public schools on the beggarly salary
Of a commissioner, he can take his
own case up in special plea.
Speaking for the others is not
his particular business. And it is
less so by reason Of his occupancy
OF an appointive Office under Mr..
Hylan. He lays himself open to the
suspicion of seeking by flattcsry to
enhance his own standing with his
superiors. And of course to flattery
Mayor Hylan will ever be deaf
or, anyway, a trife hard of hearing.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
Russian interests in Siberia of doubt

Russian interests in Siberia of doubt
full good?
1t is an open question whether the
immediate withdrawal of Japanese
troops in Siberia is a timely move if
it is coupled with the non-recogni-
ton Of the Far Eastern Republic.
Japan's action in Siberia, however
distasteful it has been to the Boil
sheviki, has not been ill-considered.
1t is natural, Of course, that Rus
slams of all factions resent the pos
sibility of permanent occupation of
Siberia by the japanese. But is that
any reason for urging the withdraw
al of the troops just now?
There is a close reaction between
the Japanese policy in the Far East
crn Republic and Soviet Russia's
search for German cooperation. Has
the American government consid-
cred fully the consequences of an un-
.rammeled Russo German alliance
or Of action whose practical effect
may be to bring Toxic and Moscow
together?
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06

Three years have passed since the
spirit of Theodore Roosevelt began to
travel the long, long trail, but time
has not deadcned the sense of loss or
assuaged the countrys deep regret.
If ever a life was needed when it's
glorious light went out it was that Of
this great American. His work was
unfinished-a new series Of events
marked him out for more transcen-
dent usefulness. Since the signing Of
the armistice the world has been full
of travail, the larger part the conse-
quence Of folly and lack of leader
ship. He should have been with us
to guide the way.
Mankind would be happier today
if more kindly destiny had spared
one in whom the clements were 80
mixed that idealism was welded to
practicality; who had the clear
vision to pluck the simple and the cs-
sential out Of the seemingly complex
and difficult, and whose courage was
so instant and whose confidence in
democracy was so profound that he
dared always to give his best. No
wonder Roosevelt's fame shines
brighter and brighter.
This country. and through it the
world, has lacked that sobriety, that
self-command, that perfect rectitude
of intention which were heavens
gifts to its great citizen; it was
bereft of dynamic personality
which energized the good and en-
riched the conclusions of clear in
tcllcct by the zeal born of rich emo
ton. Was there ever son of man
who more united the finest things of
both head and heart? Was there
ever person who better reconcilcd the
claims Of both the future and the
present, of the desirable and the at
tainablc?
In the degree that we follow the
Roosevelt spirit and hear within the
messages that no longer come direct
ly to listening ears We stumble up
ward toward safety and toward a
harvesting of the results of a war
as to which he never asked what it
was about. How honor this great
name? We can best do it by reflect
ing on what he would have advised
On this anniversary there can be no
more effective dedication to the pub
lie good than for each to resolve to
be, as far as he is able, little
more like the lost leader.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
The Housing Emergency

Frank Mann, Tenement House Com
missioner, told the Lockwood COM
mittee yesterday that the housing
shortage in this city is more acute
now than it was a year ago. Ac-
cording to his figures there is a
shortage Of $4,000 apartments, as
against 10000 at the end of 1920
Up to 1917 about 25 900 new apart
ments were constructed each year.
In 1917 new construction fell to
14,241 apartments, in 1918 to
2,706 and in 1919 to 1924. In 1920
1922 apartments were added and in
1921, up to December Is last, 1861.
1t apparently will be a long time
before the deficits since 1917 are
made good and construction returns
to normal.
The renting population here has
been accommodated only through
process of doubling up. Flats
ana apartments are CfOWOeO as
never before crowded, as both
Commissioner Mann and Commits
sioner Copeland testify. to the
danger point to morals and health.
A fertile field for epidemic disease
has been created. Landlords are not
to be blamed for the present con-
dition; neither are tenants. But
the condition exists.
The president of the Board of
Municipal Court Justices in
formed the committee that the
municipal courts are swamped with
rent cases. Friction between land
lords and tenants, he indicated, has
not been materially lessened. The
rent laws have brought about a sort
of armed truce, with tenure stabi-
lzed at least. But if the rent laws
are allowed to lapse next November
and the right of dispossession is re-
established war probably will break
out again in an aggravated form.
The rept laws were passed to tide
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
Pensioning Ex-Presidents

Now that former conspicuous public
personages are providing for the
financial future of themselves and
their families by selling to newspa-
per syndIcates, film companies and
the like the use of their signatures,
the time seems fitting one for
Congress to consider the establish
ment of pension system for at
least our ex-Presidents.
The Tribune ventures to urge the
enactment of law under which
any one who has been the Republics
Chief Magistrate shall on retirement
receive out of the public treasury
an allowance of s25, 900 year.
1t is not secmly to ask former
Presidents to compete in livelihood
making. The temptation to them
to capitalize their repute should be
removed A man commonly reaches
the Presidency we'll advanced in
years. The strain of the White
House is terrific. 1t exhausts re-
serve powers. 1t is not fair to
require one who has undergone
it to worry over material cares.
Present circumstances make it op-
portunc to press for legislation. One
Of our Presidents is once more
happily in the public service and
thus would not be beneficiary. The
other is stricken with an illness
which stirs universal sympathy
Moreover, a political party other
than his own is in control of Con
grcss and in command of the appro-
priating power. 1t would be a
graceful as we'll as a wise thing to
grant a public pension and thus
end all forms of direct and indirect
hat-passing.
The maintenance Of cx-Prcsidents
who are not in the public service
should be a charge on the public
treasury. AS to this matter, Con
gress can afford to set aside the
claims of economy. Probably it is
not an overestimate to say 80 out
Of every 100 taxpayers would be
pleased.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
Siberia and Germany

Once more the possibility of a
Russo German alliance is in the
ofIing. Soviet Russia is asking for
aid. She has approached Great Brit
ain and France, but turns chiefly to
Germany.
Germany has advantages over
France and England with respect to
cooperating with Russia. She is
near Russia geographically and
thousands of her citizens have lived
in Russia. studying Russian wants
and learning the Russian language.
Many German prisoners joined the
Bolshevik armies. Others went into
various administrative work under
the Soviets. Already many personal
connections exist. German technical
skill is ready to develop Russian en-
tcrprises. German industries need
Russia's raw materials. Russia, for
her part, needs the organization that
the Germans can bring to her. AS
soon as she has the wherewithal to
trade she will take the goods which
the Germans manufacture. Added to
these economic factors is the moral
bond of defeat. Both countries are
suffering from a lost war BY max
ing common cause they will feed
their pride. SO their close co-opera-
tion will be threat to the other
powers. A Russo German alliance
means a great continental bloc
stretching from the Rhine to the Pa
citic and from the Arctic to the Cau-
casus. 1t means an alliance which is
nti-French, anti-British, anti-Jap
anese and anti-American. 1t means
a potential military and economic
Europe that may some day precipi-
tate war compared to which the
World War will have been insignifi-
cant.
Such a bloc, however, to be sue
cessful, requires the territories of
Russian Siberia intact. 1t needs the
Trans-Siberian Railway. Vladivos-
tok is indispensable. An independ-
ent Far Eastern republic with Jap
anese connections will, therefore,
seriously cripple the effectiveness of
the alliance. The control by any non
Russo German power Of the Trans
Siberian Railway will sorely under
mine the strength of the combina-
tion.
Is the American government alto
gether wise, therefore, in bringing
up again, as reported in recent
Washington dispatch, the suggestion
that the japanese at once evacuate
Siberia Isn't the American policy
Of assuming the moral trusteeshlp Of
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
The Dail's Debate

Have the members of the Dali
Eircann an adequate conception of
the impression their angry debate is
making? Do they stop to consider
what Ulster thinks, what Great Brit
ain thinks, what this country thinks,
what the world thinks?
Probably as much as any other
one thing, that which has kept Ire
land in tutelage is the charge of Irish
instability. lrishmen, probably just
" enough, resent this as bascless
slur. Nevertheless the notion has
spread abroad that the typical Irish
man loves to fight as the Scotchman
loves to argue. The outpourings of
the Irish temperament have at least
given an excuse for criticism.
Can't the Dali Eireann see that its
carryings-on arc strengthening the
old distrust? The division seems
without reason. Ireland is offered
what Ireland long has prayed for,
but tcmpestuous metaphysics pre-
vents prompt acceptance. Not meet
ing the issue raised, De Valera, MAX
ing 4 vast noise, fathers a proposal
which in effect is practically the
same as the one he won't have.
Whereupon, for shadowy reasons,
there is a heated outbreak. Now
sneerers say: behold, with nothing
real to dispute over, the passion for
difference is so intense that it in
vents and imagines and quibbles."
De Valera is net proving himself
much of a friend of Ireland. He ad-
mits that the majority Of the Irish
people wish ratification, but he, as
serts his conscience will not permit
him to obey the popular will, and then
threatens to break the heads of those
who say he should. Already great
injury has been done by him to the
Irish cause. With two angry fac
tions at each others throats the diff
cult business of setting up a new
government will not be assisted.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
Justice to the Child

One of the most significant sec
tions of Governor Milfer's message
is that dealing with child welfare.
1t is significant because it reflects
a keenly aroused and broader sense
of public responsibility; the spirit
behind the desire to protect and care
for handicapped children has many
applications.
The Governor is not friendly to
"welfare legislation" generally. lie
believes in character developed from
within. He says in his message:
~ dcplore paternalistic tendencies
which substitute dependence upon
the state for the sclf-dependence
and self-reliance of the citizen"
Yet in the case Of children he ad-
mits an exception. "It is one Of
the highest functions of the state"
he declares, "to safeguard child
hood and protect the public health,
and the proper discharge Of that
function is not paternalistic."
The people approved last fall by
a large majority Constitutional
Amendment No. 5, authorizing the
establishment of childrcn's courts
and courts of domestic relations. The
Governor rightly construes this vote
as an expression Of discomfort with
the present haphazard system Of
dealing with neglected and delin-
quent children. There are now, he
says, 4,166 judicial officers, includ-
ing 3,736 justices Of the peace, with
power to commit children as public
charges. This power ought to be bet
ter guarded. Modern public opinion
concurs with the Governors dictum
that "juvenile delinquency should be
dealt with in accordance with the
condition and needs of the child, not
under penal law or in accordance
with criminal procedure" A law is
therefore recommended permitting
all counties outside greater New
York to establish chldren's courts,
with jurisdiction of all cases of
neglected and delinquent children.
The county judge is to preside over
this court or a special judge is to
be elected for that purpose.
With dependent children the stu
alton is equally backward. More
than 10000 Of them come every
year under the jurisdiction of poor
law officials, of whom there now are
1928 in the state. The Governor
suggests the establishment in each
county of a county board of child
welfare to handle dependency cases.
AS to deaf, blind and crippled
, children, the Governor favors the
largest measure of public aid. "No
. child in the State of New York
should be handicapped by re-
mediable physical Defect is the way
he sums up the states duty.
We are getting ahead encourage
ingly in such matters, in which a
policy of broad humanity is also the
best policy from the viewpoint of
} social economy and state building.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
New York Tribune Inc

to build two, so we will start again.
sion from the King Of the Cannibal
Islands? When I last saw him (in a
tall hat, but no other clothcs), with
big club in his hand. he looked we'll
able to decide any politicians opinion.
To be serious again. l read that Mr..
Balfour has suggested the total aboli-
tion of submarines. Another sugges-
ton is to allow nations to have small,
used for their own defence, but not to
allow any ocean-going submarines. To
review these two propositions several
things have to be taken into considera-
ton: G) We may take it as an axiom
that there never has been any honesty
among nations and that there never
will be; CD the new condition of Ire
land is fact that must be taken into
consideration as far as submarines are
concerned. AS regards only prohibiting
the use of large submarines, we have
to take into consideration the follow
ing: Cd Submarines, whether large or
small, can be quickly and cheaplv
built; CD submarine officers take a
long time to train-possibly three or
four years, before they are of much
use; CD training an officer in a small
submarine fits him for a large one
From these facts l think we NAV con-
clude that nation having agreed not
to build large submarines would build
them when war came, and man them
with crews that had been trained in
small submarines. In these circum-
stances, if the Washington conference
really aims at peace, it must adopt Mr..
Balfour's suggestion of mo sub
marines"
1T may be stated to you. sir, that as
regards naval aggression on our shores
the surest road to peace is to make sea
aggression impossible by reason of the
strength of our defence, and that the
small submarine is an important factor
IN defence. That is true to a certain
extent, but the new weapons have
without considering submarines) COM
pletely given the advantage to defence
In these circumstances, no country
would, as regards defence of it's actual
shores, suffer by adopting Mr.. Balfour's
proposition of no submarines. Sir
Eric Geddes is supposed to be cutting
down our waste In the face Of his en-
deavors we are going to spend money
on two battleships that want only 8
bomb each to sink them.
Yours faithfully,
PERCY SCOTT.
So South Audley Street, December 1S
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
AN Acid Test
To the Editor of Tie Tribune.

To the Editor of Tie Tribune.
Sir: When the great conflict ended
"an acid test" was, presented to the
victors which clearly proved which of
them were believers in international
law. Then came the opportunity to
put vitality into the academic resolu-
tions proposed and accepted at The
Hague.
Then the victorious nations had
more than ample military power with
which to hunt down, try and execute the
German pirates and military murder
ers. while throughout the world the
voice Of civilization was demanding it.
But only France and stanch little
Belgium were willing and eager to do
such justice and put vital precedent
behind international law that would
have made it a reality through the
coming ages.
AUGUSTUS SMITH-DAGGY.
Norwalk, Conn, Jan. /, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
Where He Is Needed

Eugene V. Debs plans to tour the
world, speaking against war. That's
fine, if he picks his countries with dis
cretion. The trouble before was that
he was electionecring the United States
against war when it was Germany that
needed his services. There was no
danger Of this country undertaking an
aggressive war. But Germany was
specializing in just that. When the
police are called out to SUPPRESS a
gang, it's the gang that needs to be
labored with, not the police. If Mr..
Debs will devote himself to calming
down the warloving countries he will
be engaged in worthy mission, al
though he may not get anywhere.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
The Tower
JANUARY: CORNWALL

JANUARY: CORNWALL
THIS afternoon, before the .pallid
sun.
His brief diurnal race had wholly
run,
swung around tho East Street
road again
And turned my steps once more
toward the Plain.
And when / passed the curving first
inclines,
The tunnel through the noble Corn
wall pines
Lay sloping smooth beneath the
trodden snow
And gloomy with morbid wintry
woe,
Although much noisy laughter filled
the air,
AS boys from school were gayly
sliding there.
And while I watched them flying
down the hill,
With shout and crash and uncx-
pccted spill;
And boys with sleeves and pockets
full Of snow,
And slcds that baked and skidded
to and fro,
I dreamed Of days century before.
When rafting stages weary travel
crs bore
Along this very road from Albany
To far New Haven on the friendly
sea.
The queer old vehicles are long
since gone,
The travellers in the churchyard
moldcr on;
The wolves and bears are as a tale
that's told,
The hamlet evee smaller than Of old !;
But boys still slide adown the pine
clad hill,
And Coltsfoot Mountain in it's
grandeur still
Conceals from needless eyes the sink
ing sun
When nipping January days arc
DONE TUT
NoV approach the dismal days Of the
year vhcm those Of as ,cho forcsworc
cigarettes on January 1 begin to find it
easier to start buying them again than
to f't to borroV any more from our
O ficc 1nnfc.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
The French Case
A Protest Against Mr.. Reavis' $
Dunning Resolution


To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: I cannot refrain from voicine
the protest which / feel must be in
the hearts of all Americans who are
a all sympathetic with France in CON
demnation of the resolution introduced
yesterday by Representative Rcavis
Republican, of Nebraska.
Because France desires to have ar
adequate navy for her safe protection
Mr.. Rcavis desires that France be com
PEELED to pay Immediately her financial
obligations to the United States.
Evidently the gentleman from Ne
braska is not familiar with conditions
as they really exist and fails to en-.
tirc!y appreciate the position in which
France is placed.
In the absence Of any assurance
from her former allies that they will
come to her aid in case of future ag
gression against her she naturally is
compelled to prepare defensive pro.
gram which is not out Of keeping with
her requirements either as to land OF
sea equipment
Considering the extent OF her terri
tory, including all her colonies, the in.
tcrcsts of France arc almost as large
as those of any other nation, and it is
natural for her to want to protect these
interests.
If this attitude were taken after re-
ceivng positive assurance that she
would be sustained by her allies in the
event Of an attack her unfavorab bt
critics might be justified in their posi-
ton.
Ambassador Jules Jusserand in E
recent speech said, regarding criti
cisms that had been expressed about
Frances attitude: "Gcntlcmcn, let us
exchange ncighbors; in which event we
would probably be able to tone dowr
our demands and forego our plans fol-
protection.'
Mr.. Reavis seems to overlook the
fact that Frances war was our war
and while we were preparing to heir
our allies France contributed mos
precious asset-men. When analysis j:
made of her sacrifice it seems yer,
great compared with ours.
l am not particularly proud of sucf
stand being taken by Republican
of which party | am and have been fol-
years an ardent supporter. | think the
gentleman from Nebraska does no.
voice the majority opinion of the party
France is not militaristic. She i.
compelled to take this attitude for he1
own preservation. She knows thai
what has happened in the past is likel,
to happen again, unless it can be pre-
vented by her in proper preparation.
The attitude Of the Republican Rep
resentative from Nebraska would indi
cate that it might be good policy t.
bleed France to the last drop, which
am sure is not typical of the usua
magnanmity Of our nation toward hey
sister republic. EMILE UTARD.
New York, Jan. 4, 1922.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06

the community over an emer-
gency. The Lockwood committee Is
trying to determine to what extent
the emergency has passed and what
measures ought to be taken to
hasten its passing. In this work it
should have the support of all those
who want to end the housing short
age and make New York once more
wholesome and comfortable place
in which to live.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
Why Go to Boston2
To tho Editor Of The Tribune.

Sir: Can any one tell what informs.
tion David Hirshfield, Commissioner o.
Accounts, expects to get in Boston ~
to what public school histories teaea'
What authorities there will infof"
him? Can he learn there anytn'nS
that he cannot find out at home!
Is there any better way OF ascerssis@
ing what the histories teach than 70
read the books themselves? Who -
better able to revise. correct and I'M
prove histories than those who wfo"
them? CRITICUSs
: New York. Jan. 8, 1922.