davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

ter of his work, somehow typically
and distinctively American. On that
point the popular and even the criti-
cal demand would be immediate and
insistent. We might remain trifle
vague or confused in our own minds
as to precisely what the American
spirit might be; but we should de-
mand it anyhow. We should insist
upon hearing the authentic voice of
the United States. even before con-
sidering what that voice might have
to say or with what poetic genius it
might speak. Perhaps the clearest
way to make the point is this: that
if Walt Whitman were alive to-day
there would be no one else to con-
slider. He would simply be the
unanimous choice. There would be
no question about it. But in Whit
mans own time, if the question of
an American laureate had arisen.
The New York herald., 1922-04-23
By BRIAN HOOKER.

thermore to display the stars upon
his waistcoat and the stripes along
his trousers. Whitman himself. Of
course, was rather given to this sort
of thing. But his best admirer will
hardly contend that he was any more
American when he was yawping
about These States than when he de-
voted himself without self-conscious-
ness to writing his own kind of po-
etry. In our own day we are doing
our most Enthusiastically national
work in architecture and after that,
perhaps, in painting; since in these
arts there is no special constraint
upon the workman to be national
instead of natural. And we are least
American in our music and in our
poetry. where the call for American
ism is loudest. We may argue and
dispute and discuss the matter how
we will, and when we have done
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

and il we get that we and the world
can afford to waive the silly question
of Americanism. That Venetian
glass came from Venice may have
mattered to the venetians. But the
Doges are dead now, and we have
the glass. for whose benefit it might
as well have come from Atlantis.
Rome never produced any character
istically Roman poets. And for all
her imperial patriotism Rome was
too wise to care. She produced
Virgil and Horace and Catullus; she
cared about them, and so does the
world and so do we. The harm that
an insistent nationalism does to art
is the same harm that is done to it
by an equally insistent classicism or
modernism or morality: that 1t be-
comes a restriction upon art and
interferes with good work by pre-
occupying the artist. None Of these
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

question in form highly recognized
by popular attention, il you had to
choose a poet laureate of the United
States Of America. what would you
do?
II seems an interesting question
for all who are interested in Ameri-
car poetry: even for all such as.
being Americans, are by way of
caring about poetry in general. But 1t
is interesting chiefly in its implica-
tions. For the first certainty is that
such a post would in this country be
elective. Our Laureate would be
chosen not by royal warrant but by
some sort of general vote. as we Sc
lect the President. or the most popu-
lar picture star. or the "prettiest girl
in Oklahoma" Now, the voice Of
the people is rather like the voice of
God at least in this: that it is alway.
doubtful and generally dull to fore
cast its decision. Moreover. in this
case the decision does not matter.
Out of some half dozen who would
certainly be nominated by acclama-
ton the actual choice might as well
be one as another. They would all
have abundantly deserved it. Voting,
as we all know, seeks like liquid its
own level, tends to cast down the
mighty who are hated and adored by
many and to exalt some mediocrity
obnoxious only to a few; and the
laurel itself might become a slightly
ironical honor. like inclusion in the
Hall of Fame. Let us say at once,
therefore. that our concern is not to
forecast the winner but to discuss
those who would certainly be can
didates. not the choice but the man
ner of choosing. If we have raised
an interesting question it is that
question itself which Is interesting
we have no interest in the answer.
II.
In such contest the first and
surest standard to be set up would
be the standard of Americanism. Oul
Laureate would have to be. in th'
spirit Il not also In the subject mat.
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

~ UPPOSE there were to be an
American Poet Laureate; some
one out of all those who
nowadays write acknowledged
poetry chosen for life to be the
Poet of the Nation. Upon whose
head might the distinguished honor
fall? In recognition of what pre-
requisite success. of what ideals.
manner of work, what measure of
achievement? Who would become
the inevitable candidates, and by
what standards (if any would they
be measured? Or. to put the whole
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

old fashioned disciplinarian. and until
we stop crying for it we shall not
get it.
III.
In the long run, of course. il is Of
very little Importance whether We
get 1t or not. Good poetry is always
important, at least TO some people !:
The New York herald., 1922-04-23
TABLE OF ENTS

Page
If There Were an American Laureate.
BY Brian Hooker.
The Book Factory. BY Edward Anthony.
Moliere in America. BY Guy Nichols. .....
Literary pilgrimages at Home and Abroad.
WI. What Remains of Dickens's London.
In Three Parts. Part I.... S
MoIiere in the American University.
BY Christian Gauss. 6
Welcoming the New Author. 8-9-Io-II-Ia-I3
AS the Publishers See It.. t.................. "a
Settling "Sundry Accounts with
Irwin Cobb By Robert H. Davis -. IS
Chronicle and Comment ent................... 10
Authors Works and Their Ways. ........... 10
The World of Letters as Others See IT,. II
New Fiction in Varied Forms.
Linda Lee Incorporated-Best Laid
Schemes-Aaron's Rod-The Ashes OF
The New York herald., 1922-04-23
THIRTY-TWO PAGES.
If There Were an American Laureate

try to be popular; we try to be free;
we even try. God help US. to Be
original. We try anything and
everything except simply and sanely
to do good work. Whereas il we
would only forget the matters after
which the Gentiles seek and seek
first the vision of truth and its ex-
pressiveness, all these things might
be added unto us.
".
Several years ago there appeared
an astonishing volume called THE
Spoon River Anthology" 1t was the
work of Mr.. Edgar Lee Masters. and
it made him, as we count fame in
this community, famous almost over
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

theorizing the facts will continue to
Indicate precisely what they did be-
fore. We may raise the outcry for
American" poetry as long and as
loud as we like. But nature is an
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

Page
Achievement-The Aisle of Seven Moons
Hepplestalls - Calvary = The Personal
Touch-"Q". "...................... I8-r9-2o
The Whispering Gallery. By Donald Adams aI
What Are the Great Fairy Stories and Why.
By Algernon Tassin... ~
Hewlett Come to Sixty Year a3
The Child of Yesterday and To-day. a4
Problems of the Young .................... IS
The Dominance of Shakespeare. ~
Shakespeare's Favorite King. ng............ ~
The World of Foreign Books.
Russian Books. By Avrahm Yarmolinsky. az
Another Publishers English Impressions. 2e
What You Should Know About
American Authors vi. Ernest Poole. 80
Musicians as Authors. .....,................ 80
Books of the Week. Observation-Disclosures. 81
For Women Readers in Current Magazines. 81
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

Continued 3u Page 7'hrees
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

In such a contest the first and
surest standard to be set up would
be the standard of Americanism. Our
Laureate would have to be. in the
spirit Il not also In the subject mat
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
LLOYD GEORGE READY.

1t Is now regarded a. certain that
tho leadership of Premier Lloyd
George will be challenged In such q
way that he will have to appeal to
the country or resign his leadership
and retire from public; life. Tho spirit
of the opposition TO his leadership has
become so hostile that 1t Is not believed
he will be allowed to continue in power
much longer without submitting to a
popular test.
The situation is attracting great at
tention throughout Great Britain, and
is the leading topic of discussion.
Lloyd Georges friends say he will not
dream OF resigning, and therefore the
public contest surely will be precipi-
tated. II is the general belief tho re-
suit will be a general election for a
new Parliament, TO be held before the
Christmas holidays. This would mean
short campaign. but a very lively
one.
Lloyd George Is to make an ad-
dress at n public meeting in Manches-
ter. tomorrow night. and his friends
confidently expect he will then meet
the challenge and boldly announce his
and interesting Parliamentary cam
paigns England has had for years
may soon be under way. And there 1:
every reason TO believe the little
| Welshman" will be n winner.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
NEW TERRORS OF WAR.

II has frequently been said that the
horrors of the last war would be far
outdone by the next and the meeting
of the Army Ordnance Association on
Aberdeen Proving Grounds this last
week was ample Justification for such
a forecast. Even IL the new imple-
ments which the deadly ingenuity OF
science has devised are largely in
tended FOR purposes OF defense, the
terror ia. in no wise leesened.
A nero recital OF the devices which
ore now available almost takes away
the breath. A 16-inch gun. which has
a ionge of twenty-slx miles, can shoot
n projectile 1000 pounds in weight and
Is so we'll handled that II can fre a
round in forty seconds. was exhibited
A euper-sensltively fused shell which
will function on contact with n single
sheet OF linen on an airplane wing
was one of the latest Inventions
Bombs Of 500 and 1000 pounds weight
wcro dropped from airplanes and
tanks which can be operated by radio
phone control Mt distance OF ten
miles were on view. Flashles powder
was fired from Is and -millimeter
guns and. on the other hand. there was
a display OF tracer ammunition and oi
airplane signal lights. SGf-reyeal-
ment or self-concealment can equally
be served.
So long as he war spirit remains
and naval and military armaments
continue 10 be piled up, no other
policy is possible than TO continue Il
devise such means OF defense or at.
tack, the range and destructive power
of which would have been a eurprfs,
even so short time ago as during tn,
World War. But whittier Is civiliza
ton tending II. by means already men
toned or the still more deadly use o
noxious gases, II Is possible to wip.
out. whole populations OF combatant
and non-combatants in one indis
crimipate slaughter? The argumen
against aggressive nationalism ant
the war spirit Is moro strongly rein
forced than ever by the mere though
Of what will be involved II any wa
or a large scale is again precipitated
Baltimore American.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS.

II appears that the ventures OF at
least one OF the Australian States into
the field Of every day business has af-
forded useful. IL discouraging, expert
ences. Statute making IN defiance of
demonstrated economic law has run
its course in New South Wales, to
judge by the Governments social"
programme as featured for the consid-
GRAFTON Of the present Parliament.
1t is planned to abolish the fair
rents court and the housing board.
and repeal the profiteering prevention
act. These essays in sociological legis-
lation are self-condemned, according
to the Governments way of thinking
Its statistics show that the primary
effect of the fair rents tribunal has
been to discourage building. While the
housing board, with the credit of the
State behind 1t, has constructed many
dwellings, they are vacant because the
rents it Is compelled to charge in
order 10 secure a reasonable return
from the investment are excessively
high. The i-profiteering act expires
at the end of the year, but 1t has
worked so badly that the Govern
ment would withdraw 1t summarily.
This sheaf of meddlesome laws is of
postwar date. but the Government
finds much else In the statute book
that calls for drastic overhauling. The
basic wage" theory is proved un-
sound. 1t is proposed not only to cur
tail the functions Of the wage-fixing
tribunals, but to authorize them to
make awards lower than the basis
where industries connot afford 10
pay the scale of wages so fixed"
New South Wales is also burdened
with a bureaucratic system that has
grown up naturally from Government
ownership and management OF great
variety of industries, including brick
works, quarries. power plants. garages
sawmills and clothing factories. These
business activities simply cannot be
made to pay, with a swarm of politi
cal functionaries having the first cal
on their gross earnings. The prospec
is that most of them will be sole
outright. Some few may be retained
for supplying the Governments need
exclusively. Journal.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
LIQUOR ON SHIPS.

In consequences OF the announced
purpose of the administration, begin
ming tomorrow, TO enforce the Vol
stead law on all ocean steamships COM
ing within the three-mile limit of our
shores, foreign shipping interests are
preparing to interpose opposition. BY
a strict construction Of the law no
foreign steamship on which liquors
are sold would be permitted to land
here, take on passengers and cargo
and sail away, even though the stores
OF liquor should be sedulously sealed
up all the time the boat was within
the three-mile limit, without being
called TO account. 1t would be neces-
sary for such boats, on reaching the
limit TO throw overheard or otherwise
get rid Of every drop OF Intoxicating
liquor among their stores. And this
process would be so annoying, as well
as so costly, that the managements
Of foreign ships would not be disposed
TO thus meet the situation.
The Cunard and Anchor Line man.
agements have started resisting op-
erations by applying for an injunc-
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
GETTING MORE LIVELY.

The Democratic campaign in Della
ware is getting lively and more inter
esting. day by day. The previous signs
OF apathy are disappearing and the
voters are beginning TO take notice.
Democratic meetings are being held
and those who attend them are CIV
ing earnest and intelligent attention
TO the leading issues OF the campaign.
This increased Democratic interest
undoubtedly VIII continue and grow
as the campaign progresses. The IS
sues are most appealing. The people
OF Delaware have been aggravated
for a long time by inefficient and ex-
travagant administration, until taxes
have become oppressive. Now they
are beginning to realize that only in
one way can they bring about real
reforrn-by the defeat OF the party THAI
is responsible for prevailing conditions
There Is reason TO believe this is
what the people Of Delaware propose
TO do at the election. which will be
held three weeks from next Tuesday
And every day of the campaign should
make Democratic prospects better.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
MILLIONS FOR CARELEssNEsS.

Judge Bonniwell in addressing tho
delegates TO the State Convention of
the Pennsylvania Firemen's Associa-
ton said that instead of having a Fire
Prevention Day or Week n might be
we'll II we had a Fire Prevention Year.
II would seem so when we are told
that the fire losses in Pennsylvania
for period of five years foot up the
enormous sum of 9G.779.000.
In tho samo period the loss in the
city of Philadelphia was aprpoxi-
mately s20.000.000. Those who arc in
a position TO talk with authority in
sist that 65 per cent of these fires
como under tho head OF "preventable
fires" This IA sad reflection upon
the people. because It places them In
tho position OF helping to destroy life
and property. Few would do this with
deliberauon. and the only explanation
is that the citizens are paying S20,-
100000 n year for the luxury OF care
lessness. Is 1t not possible that the
presentation CT the case in this form
may be the means OF reducing these
losses during the next twelve months? I?
Let us hope so.
III auultion 10 appeals TO the peo-
pie. legal remedies have been sug-
| gested as means OF cutting down the
| enormous fire losses. The convention
recommended the Introduction OF bille
in the next Legislature for the crea-
ton OF Fire Prevention Bureau; for
| defining negligence in relation TO fire
and making Il an offense for an agent
| or an insurance company TO insure
any property or goods in excess Of
their market value, and for any own
er TO try TO collect more than the
actual market value OF the property
covered by insurance. These bills
will have to be carefully scrutinized
before they are enacted into law. but
the fact that they have been pre-
pared illustrates the growing disposl-
ton TO halt fire losses in the State
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
BIG PROFIT IN OIL,

The directors OF the Standard Oil
Co. OF New Jersey. the huge OIL con-
trolling concern built up by John ID.
Rockefeller. this week announced a
stock dividend OF 400 per cent on the
common stock which will amount. in
sctual cash valuation on the basis OF
par for stock, 10 approximately $780,
900 900. The Company purposes 10 in
crease the common stock capitaliza-
t'on from It's present figure OF S1lo.-
0oo. 900 TO 1926 .ooo. 900. After providing
for the stock dividend. there will be
D balance OF some $500 900 shares,
which VIII Be held In the treasury 10
meet the needs OF the company ns
they arise.
Here IL fine news for the holders of
esock In this enormously wealthy cor
poration. but II will not be received
With pleasure by the millions of users
of oil who, holding no stock, do no,
participate In the rich dividends re-
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
MUNICIPAL NEEDS.

Philadelphia, in line with many
other municipalities, is short in public
school accommodations, and the school
authorities are asking for an addi-
tional appropriation Of SIS 900 900. At
present many children are barred from
schools for lack OF room, and many
others can be accommodated only on
half-tlme. And Mayor Moore Is ask
ing City Council for an appropriation
sufficient TO enable him to appoint
five hundred more policemen.
There are other cities. our own in
cluded. IN similar plight. The univer-
sal condition seems to be one OF mu-
nicipal demands continually In ad-
vance OF the amount Of money avail
able. There is hardly city admin
istration IN the country that could not
make out a good and practical case
in support Of a demand for much more
money than the authorities feel the
people are able TO contribute in the
form OF taxes.
II is somewhat surprising. however,
TO note a demand in Philadelphia for
a large increase In the police force.
Prohibition OF the sale OF Intoxicating
liquors was supposed to be a warrant
for less policemen. not more.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
RLPPLING RHYMES.
Ey Walt Mason.
THE DOOMED SEVEN.

My seven cousins used 20
drive before my cottage door.
and they seemed very much
alive. but now they are no more.
James Henry's car was trimmed
with brass. and blitheiy It would
flee; ne stepped too fierceiy on
the gas and wound It round a
tree. John drove a car with
faulty brakes-he would not fix
the same; we gathered up, with
garden rakes. the fragments OF
his frame. Ned was a glad and
smiling wight; where is that
springald now? He ran without
his lamps one night. and bump
ed against a cow. Charles tried
70 cross a railway track before 4
rushing train; there were nine
fractures in his back, his head
was rent in twain. And Joseph
swung around a curve at fifty
miles an hour; his monument
you will observe hard by yon
old gray tower. Adolphus lit 4
match to see II he had gasoline.
and by the mere and on the lea
he is no longer seen. Theophiius
was prone 10 race with other
speeding boats. and Ger MS
quiet resting place now Craze
the village goats. No more their
chugging vans I hear, no more
their Joyous whoops; Oh. other
men have cousins dear, but mine
have looped the loops.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
~ DESPERATE STRAITS.

There is no longer any doubt that
The Republican campaign in Delaware
~ 90 he conducted on national issues.
All State and local questions are TO
b. ignored. and the voters are TO be
asked TO forget everything but the
Endorsement OF the national admins
tration by a return OF Coleman du
pont to the Senate. both for the re-
mainder OF the term he Is now filling
by appointment and the fun term to
follow, and by the reelection OF Rep
resontative Caleb r.. Layton. These
are the only issues the Republican
party will deem worthy OF considcra-
tion during the remaining three weeks
Of the campaign.
Even should the Democratic candi-
dates and Democratic party managers
consent 20 meet the disorganized and
what virtue would there be In this
sole Republican plea7 None whatever.
There Is nothing the Republican ad-
ministration has done in .ts existence
VI less than two years that calls for
general Endorsement. There is moth
Ing 10 which Republican Congress
NJ Washington for more than three
years can point as an accomplishment
that lmparts real benefit TO the coun-
try. Tho record is ono Of .nefficiency
and extravaganza. with no serious en-
aeavor TO relieve the people OF the
heavy burden OF war taxation.
And what ground Is there for an
appeal to the people OF Delaware TO
tender a vote Of Endorsement 10 Presi-
acnt Harding7 The Republican Con-
gress TO which he appealed on several
occasions refused TO indorse him.
When a President fails 10 receive
Endorsement from his party represen-
utives In Congress may he justly ap-
peal 70 the people for n reversal of
this verdict? He may. If he is engaged
IN "A righteous cause. But who can
claim that in the purposes for which
he sought In vain the approval Of his
party majority In the Congress. Presi-
aent Harding WAS representing the best
interests OF the pcople7
So when the Republican candidates
and party managers in Delaware ask
The voters 70 ignore everything else
and vote blindly In indorsemeec OF
Presiden, Harding and An incapable
Republican national administration
they are asking too much. There are
Aing. here at home the people cannot
ignore and cannot approve by q popu.
NJ Neruict.
They cannot ignore the costly re-
suits OF extravAgance ana inetficienc,
with the Accomplishments OF burden
some taxes. imposed upon them by
long years OF Republican party ad
ministration.
II Is not surprising that Republican
candidates and Republican party nah
ayers should plead with the people {,
forget everything that concerns then
vitality in this campaign and vote 70
those things that have only a mer
partisan significance.
And there is nothing IN the recor,
of the Republican administ. alton, ma
tonal or State. that invites an in
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13
JUST FOLKS
BY Edgar A. Glest.
-opyflght 1921 by Edcnr A. Gueat.
CREEDS.

CREEDS.
care not what his creed may be
Nor what his caste or clan,
He still shall be a friend to me
II he but play the man.
No barrier of creed shall fling
Its prejudice before
The honest man who comes 10 bring
HIS friendship TO my door.
II he be gentle, brave and true,
And stand with head erect,
This much he is entitled 10.
My friendship and respect.
And II he be ill-mannered here,
Selfish and speak the lie,
l shall not held his conscience clear
Because he prays as l.
I shall not bother with the shame
or any sinful deed,
Or seek to gloss a tarn!shed name
With lustre OF q creed.
l shall not ask his form OF praye,
Nor what his church may be,
The good man. kind and just and fair
Shall find a friend in me.