davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
TOO LENIENT WITH THUGS

In most states, robbery with firearms
is capital offense. 1t is not generally
enforced but it should be. The man who
takes a gun in hand and goes forth to
rob his neighbor is potential murderer.
1t is presumed and not without reason,
that to accomplish his purpose he will kill
III necessary. Moreover it is this pre-
sumption on the part OF his victim that
makes it possible for him to rob without
killing. The enactment OF this law dates
from frontier days in the western states
| and has its origin in the Fast. from the
gunman and the gangster. In the frontier
days of Texas. Arizona and New Mexico,
there was a type OF hOldup man who
killed on the slightest provocation. He
usually followed the command hands
up" with a pistol shot unless promptly
obeyed. His prototype in the larger city
was the underworld gangstcr who killed
on even slighter provocation because he
was greater coward.
! OF late. however, a new kind OF bandit
/ las arisen. He is what might properly be
! termed "slugger.' He does not give his
victim a chance He tries to strike down
the person he intends to rob with a blow
on the head OF recent robberics by vio-
| lencc in San Antonio, probably two-thirds
have been oil this character. 1t seems
probable that the logical cure for this con-
dition will be enactment OF law making
robbery by smuggling. capital offense It
should be- The bandit who hits a man or
woman over the Lead, CANDLES with that
persons life. He is in intent, a murderer
whether his victim dies or is seriously i'll
ijured. He shows plainly that he does not
care whether he kills or not because he
strikes at d vital spot and with sufficient
force to bring about Inconsistencies, Not
long ago woman was knocked down III
this fashion by holdup man who had
followed her for some distance awaiting
an opportunity to strike her. He delib'
erately sought to place her life in jeopardy
, for the sake OF the few coins in her purse
One cannot gauge the mental attitude
of such men. The average, moral homes
= citizen is unable TO attain the viewpoint o
, the thug who will strike in the dark To-
; the sake of a few dollars. Inflicton o
| the capital penalty is obnoxious to thu
average person who dislikcs to think o
the mental agony of the crook awaiting
Iexecution. Yet experienced police officer
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
From a Seat in the Gallery
By HERBERT COREY.

from Mcclellan TO the effect that the
navy seemed not 10 have worried great
ly about the theft of million dollars
: a mere, triflins million dollars" Thr
scene changes to the office of the Sen
ate Subcommittee on naval affairs.
where the nayy's needs for the yeas
we're being considered. Among Other
items was one for $7,00O,OO0 to bring
the American battleships up to date.
Recent publication Of the fact that
with the exception of five super-dread-
naughts all the capital ships Of the
American fleet were outranged more
than 5000 yards by the entire British
fleet, created stir in official circles, g
Is the statement made in one report of
the subcommittee hearing.
Yet the arms conference a year ago
discussed the fact that the British had
been at work bringing their ships up to
date ever since the battle of Jutland. A
clause in the treaty permitted the pow
ers to modernize their ships under GER
tain restrictions. Apparently the Ma
val Intelligence Office had not discover
ed these facts.
On The Hill, however, the theory is
held that perhaps the \. ]. %. had made
the discoveries and reported them where
they should have been reported. There
are people on The Hill who think that
the navy's junking should not be con-
fined to battleships.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

and rolice reporters who have dealt with
such crimixals for many years, are well
aware that nothing short of the fear of
capital punishment will exert the slightest
restraining influence on such men.
1t should be borne in mind that the
average thug and holdup man does not
become that sort OF person in single
day. Such crimes usually are attained by
degrees of criminalty. Such people usual
ly are criminals of long standing who
have committed one crime after another,
ranking from petty larceny to long list
OF minor offenses, gradually attaining the
criminal nerve to perpetrate bolder and
more desperate crime. 1t happens at
times, that 4 down-and-out man will sud-
denly take a pistol and go forth to rob.
But these instances arc exceptions rather
than the rule. The usual course is to
reach the robbery stage by an easy pro-
cess of minor crimes over period of
wears until filled with contempt for the
law and the world in general, desperate
stage is reached.
We are far too lenient with thugs.
They deserve no consideration and should
be punished severely. The law-abiding
citizen is entitled TO the protection of the
law and it should be given him by every
agency of law enforcement. Men who go
forth to rob with firearms or blackjack
are murderers at heart if not in effect, and
should be dealt with on that basis.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
WHEN IS A CHIEF?

When a fellow is chief OF fire depart
ment. has he the proper authority to or
der the men and machines Of thatdcpart-
ment around as lie likes: HaS5hc the
right to order the men and machinery OF
the department to do work for him per-
sonally? Has he the right to ask the fire
department to do for him what it might
or might not do for any other citizen: Is
a fire chief the boss OF the lire depart
uent, or is he not: .
These questions have recently come
UP in connection with the official career
OF the chief of the Elizabeth. ~ J., fire
department, and, it is to be recorded, that
I'll of them have been decided i'll the mega,
tive. More than that, the chief is now I'm.
der arrest, so to speak, for ordering the
fire department to work for him. He ha:
announced that he intends to make {
fight for his position and personal pres
tige and so the end is not yet
1t seems that the chief of the fire de-
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
The Sosrce Of Joy
By H. Addinxton Bruce.

Henri Bergson, in that delightful vO!-
ume of lectures and essays to when
his English translator has given the
somewhat forbidding title of "MirG.
Energy voices too little apprecia led
truth when he says:
Wherever there is joy there is creG-
ton the richer the creation. the deeper
the joy.
"The mother beholding ner child is
joyous. because she is conscious of hav-
ing created ii, physically and morally.
The merchants developing his business.
the manufacturer seeing Ills industry
prosper, are joyous.
rs it because money is gained and
notorieti acquired?
mo doubt, riches and social posi-.
ton count for much, but it = pleasures
rather than joy that they bsing. pue
joy is the feeling of having started az
enterprise which goes, Of having
brought something to life. $50
IF, then. in every domain the til
umph of life is creation, must we not
suppose that human life has its goal in
a creation which can be pursued al
ways by all incarceration by self. by
self, the growing of the personality BY
an cfforS which draws much from lItt!c
and adds increasingly TO whatever
wealth The world contains?'
Conceding the soundness Of this in.
terpretatior of the significance an
to understand why the wor'il today Con-
tains SO many joyless people.
Man deliberately. many by force, OF
circumstances, fall short in the crrat;Te-
ness which, to Gerson is the great pur.
pose of life. Certainly all oilers, oil
parasitiCal members of society, whether
rich or POOR, fall short in &c.
So do those workers who, engaged in
occupations so mechanical that they
give little scope for the Consciousness
of personal productivity, fail to take
up leisure time activities which would
more surely satisfy the creative urge.
And. as everybody knows. it is the ex-
ceptiOnal worker who makes such use OF
his leisure. U.s.
To the majority, the great majority.
leisure is wholly time for rest and en-
| tertainmert. Rest and entertainment
there should be, there must be, in the
! life of All. Yet If the creative urge re-
mains dissatisfied. no matter how much
one may rest and entertain ones self.
one neeS never hope to experience JOY
Parents, educators, employers and eTl-
ployees, ponder this fact. For states
men, too, il is significant, since failure
to take il sufficiently into account 5x-
plains much of the turmoil and discon-
tent now widely in evidence, incrcas'
! ingly in evidence.
All the while industry is becoming
more and more mechanicalized through
the progress of science and invention.
All the while. too. invention is multiply
! ing means of passive. uncrC ative enter
| tainment Hence all the while there
is create: need for training that win
help men win joy through taking the
one course that leads to joy.
Is that need being met in the home
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
Watching the Parade
BY John Pilgrim.

For years / have been in the habit
of going to one of the big downtown
stores because of an old, sray-hau~i
clerk. H, knew his business, he sin
terely tried to find what l wanted att;
not merely to sell me goods. and he
was likeable. Yesterday he could not be
found.
"Mr. Weatherby," said the yOungstcr
who stoo1 behind his accustomed court.
er. importantly. 'has gone 20 Eurol'.
Inquiry developed an odd little stUl'
Weatherby had been miscast all his =
in the drama called Making Living.
in which we all play our larts. il
was a good clerk, kindly, courtet is.
intelligent gentleman, but nature no.
not planned him for clerking. He Lace.
initiative, or courage, or some 81 II"
quality, doubtless, or he would have -
out on search for his proper rrr
Meanwhile he filled in his spare NO
ments by studying languages.
The rest of the story is easily e.Inl.
read After having spent most rt :.
life behind counter, working mr.,
for q living. with no more smbiti", !,
his deadeDed breast than has the hoTSr
that tolls around the circle of a clay.
mill, accident-or incident--toOk mn
from the tragic chorus of aging clrT.i
ship and made him n principal IN Ia.
play A foreigner dashed to his c0un'-
er aud demanded in scraps of Engiisii
and other languages that ne be sittn
something or other at once. The ole
clerk was able TO talk to him in any
one of his several native tongues, im
the foreigner was one Of those cy,
traordinary polyglots only found to per.
lection on the continent. The ultimate
result was the translation Of the old
clerk TO Europe and a position of re
sponsibility and dignity.
The promotion was made possible,
of course. because Weatherby had fiji
ted himself for it during a long pro
cession Of humdrum years. But there
is n graver moral. All those years he
had been filling place for which he
was not fitted by temperament or IN
clination. All those years he knew full
well that he had been misclSt.
One wonders why the We1therbys Of
this life-one sees them at every one
of life's corners-do not attempt at
least. TO play other parts. Why should
they tamely accept place IN the uH'
regarded chorus?
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL

On Richmond hill there lives lass
More bright than May-day morn.
Whose charms all other maids surpass,-
A rose without a thorn.
This lass so neat with smiles so SWEEP,
Has won my right goodwill:
Id crowns resign TO call her mine,
Sweet lass Of Richmond hill.
Yc zephyrs gay. that fan the air,
And wanton through the grove,
o. whisper TO my charming fair,
| die for her ! love.
How happy will the shepherd be
Who calls this nymph his own
o. may her choice be fixed on me
Mines fixed on her alone.
james Upton,
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
Peiased Paragraphs

1t raineth alike on the slid and tn
cotton umbrella.
OF course every husband knows ho'
to manage his wife, but
Economy is the foundation upol
which all large fortunes are built.
II man is unable to blush Their
is little hope Of reforming him.
Misery loves company. but not an
more than happiness does.
No woman wants her offspring |
pose as an object lesson at mother
meeting.
When man has stomach trouble h
Is never at loss for something to occr
ny his mind.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

nartment of Elizabeth, while taking a
turn about the city in his automobile re-
Gently. ran upon, or rather into, a situa-
ton that has confronted many driver OF
an automobile in our perfect city OF San
Antonio. He struck an unpavcd street
and stuck in the mud.
After trying in vain to get out OF his
sticky dilemma the chief waded to dry
land, telephoned one OF the engine houses
and ordered all or some OF the men to
come to his help and pull his automobile
out of the mud. The chief officer OF the
Ifire-enginc house to whom the request
was made, declined to make move. lie
pointed out that Elizabeth was largish
city. that fire might break out at any
moment and it behooved all members OF
the fire department to be at their posts
ready for duty. He even went so lar as
to saw to the chief that inasmuch as the
chief was stuck in the mud and conse-
quentlv could do no directing in the event
of fire, it was all the more incumbent
upon such members OF the department as
were not in the mud to keep out of the
mud. 1t was greatly regretted that 1t
was not possible to help the chief OF the
department out of the mud, but he had
better remain where he was, get out by
himself, or with the assistance OF wreck
ing crew from some private and COM
paratively expensive garage.
However, the chief showed, after re-
ceiving this somewhat disconcerting re-
spouse to his s. o. S. that he was man
of resource. He dropped the telephone
hook and grabbed his key to the fire-box.
Then he turned in an alarm of fire. The
department responded as a matter OF
course and the chief then. ordered the de-
partment to pull his machine out OF the
mud. As he directed so was it done and
the chief returned to his ancestral hall, or
his throne, or whatever it is he occupies,
in triumph. ...
1t seems, however, that the aforesaid
triumph like unto all the glories of earth
was but fleeing and temporary. The fire
commissioners heard that he had turned
in an alarm of fire when there was no fire
and when he knew there was no fire. The
commissioners pointed out this moral
dereliction to the chief and informed him
that the duty of the fire department OF
Elizabeth was the protection of the city
of Elizabeth from fire. 1t was not Or
ganized for the purpose OF pulling any
body out OF the mud. 1t further added
BY way OF a postscript that the chief
could consider himself no chief until they
had considered his case and decided what
should be done with him.
There the matter rests at present. The
chief contends that he had the right TO
tissue orders to the department and people
who do not read the thing as it is written
in the book OF the chief, say that he has
the wrong idea Of things. He may be
chief Of the department, they say, but he
Is not chief Of everything.
The moral OF the story is, however, that
neither the city of Elizabeth nor any
other city should have streets with mud
50 deep that the automobile OF fire chief
cannot travel them.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

in the School, in the working place, in
the hall where public policy is forn'u-
lated?
If it were, restlessness, misery, wee,
crime. anti-social agitation would Lot
be rife. And rife they will remain un.
til men everywhere are taught Ndml
helped 10 comply with what is really =
basic law Of their being-,fe law Of
growth through productiyeness, the law
of creative evolution.
Copyright, 1923, by the Associated
Newspapers)
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
BRING EN- HOME

One does not have 10 endorse all OF
the things that Senator Reed stands tor,
to agree with his resolution urging that
our troops in the Rhine be brought home
specdilv. To begin with, we have only
very small force there, something like
1000 men, although we have consid-
cradle store of property of one kind and
another including motor transports
But aside from merits OF the sltua-
ton, there appears no good reason Tor
remaining longer under arms in Europe.
II we want a military occupation OF any
of Germany's soil for any purpose, then
we ought TO put enough troops there to
hold what we desire. . One non-commls-
stoned officer could as readily represent
the United States army so far as ettec-
tiveness is concerned militarily, as 1000
men surrounded on all sides by millions
OF armed Europeans and cut off from
America by an ocean. We could leave
one sergeant in charge OH the Rhine
and maintain Our present status quite as
effectively. if it is necessary to maintain
ii. Or for that matter, we could leave
squad OF men with him for companion
ship if desired and occupy about as much
of Germany as we are occupying militar-
iIy. under the present conditions.
The plain situation IS, that conditions
in Central Europe are anything but re-
assuring. The French are doing LOT
OF clustering about marching into the
Ruhr and the Belgians are restless while
the conditions in Germany are such a:
to give no assurance Of stability over the
weekend. In the event OF hOstlllues
anarchy or disorders OF any nature, it !:
we'll within the possibilities that the hand
iul OF American soldiers over there NIGH
become involved. They might be fired
Upon. some OF them might be murdered
and thus we might suddenly find our
selves in another war. .-.
Naturally no American citizen is goinE
to sit idly by and have Our troops NAL
treated on the Rhine nor anywhere else
The American uniform must be respected
and the stars and stripes must come dow
only when we take them down. Yet it /
high time that we examine carefully, OH
delicate position in Europe. '...
1t cannot be said that any European
nation is friendly to the United State
today. Envy, ignorance and racial hatred
are rampant across the waters OF the AT
lantic. We are blamed more or less 10
all the ills OF Europe, economic an
otherwise We are blamed for the rcpara
tons muddle although we were ignore
when PREPARATIONS were arranged. W
have not been asked in any tangibl
manner, to participate in the rcparation
adjustment today other than to throw i
more good money after bad debts whic
we will not do.
So it would seem the better part
discretion for us to back a transport {
two up to the wharvcs and load on OF
troops and their equipment and put thei
safely back on American soil. Then W
can deal with whatever situation arise
as we see fit when the time comes. W
either should do that or we should ca
enough men to the colors to put an arm
on the Rhine capable OF holding whatcyt
it is VIC are there Tor.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
A MARK TOO BIG TO BE MISSED

|. BY indirection more than by positive
rejoinder, Texas press comments are
Showing up Governor Neff for his in
consistency in urging the imposition of a
heavy tax on oil production while advo-
eating the industrial upbuilding of the
state. One cannot read even incidental
remarks about the industrial activities and
possibilities OF Texas without wondering
whether they were written before or after
the governor delivered his "build-more-
factories. speech at Liberty.
For example, the Dallas News. in an
editorial entitled coil Wealth" says that
"oil is second in Texas to but one indus
try That industry is cotton" Many
people may have been aware OF that fact
But it is unlikely that the average citizen
has devoted much thought to the function
that the oil industry performs in stabiliz-
ing the states. output of wealth-an out
put that varied greatly from year to year
before oil was produced here in great
quantities The variance was due, 'ot
course, to factors over which man car
exercise little control. In some years
weather conditions would, be adverse and
pests numerous, with the result that the
states total production of wealth would
be far below normal.
Now one reads: "The existence of {
great industry such as oil in great agri'
cultural state is peculiarly fortunate. since
the hazard OF growing crops tends gener'
ally not to affect the production of wealth
taken from the depths of the earth
That is only one phase OF the growing
relationship between the oil industry ant
other enterprises upon which the state de
ponds for its economic status. It is no
only conceivable, but highly plausible
that the very need which Governor Nef
has recognized-the building OF many fac
tories in Texas-may be filled through thu
direct fundamentally OF the men now en-
gagged in the development of the state!
oil industry. Oil. the News remarks
"offers a standing invitation to manuiac
turing enterprises for the want of which
the raw materials OF this state have beer
forced hitherto to seek outlets over long
and expensive journeyings. Some ia!
neither cotton nor oil may be in the Leaf
in Texas. but in their stead we may hav
manufacturing as the leading industry
with oil as the fuel and lubricating facto
and cotton as the raw material for it
operation"
In advocating the industrial upbuildini
of the state Governor Neff spoke particu
larly of the need for cotton factories.
By placing heavy burden upon the Of
industry he would impair one OF the mos
promising facilities for filling the need h
points out.
I Apparently the News editorial was nc
aimed at Governor Neff's inconsistency
but it hits that mark nevertheless-an
all the more effectively because the fact
go home without being directed.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

asked the mother.
" e s." replied
Molly, land it was
very embarrass-
ing. / wish you
hadn't told me to-
Good heavens J"
ex a j m e d the
mother, Il never
told you to do any
thing of the kind. F"
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

man, beggaf man, thlei. Inc mOlHe4
cgarded the child's efforts as highly
pertaining. The fat man leaned
coward and addressed the lady couri
tfously: Madam, what do you cal
his dear little childr' n
Ethel" answered the besmind
mother.
"'rlease call her, then" the fat MAD
r-,,,. .sFol
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

his order began
to squirm and de-
mand when he was
going to get his
food. ~
waiter" he de-
manded for about
the fourth time,
wv b ere is m y
chop"
III
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

vote 0PTSelI TO a
dignified fat man,
much to the lat
t err s annoyance
She asked innu-
merable questions,
a n d incidentally
counted aloud his
buttons to carr
whether he was
rich man, po o
- FrI L .. 7
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

Over in England. woman who MUIR
dered her husband is going to be cXecut-
ed. They have no Clara Phillips cases
over in England. British law does not
work that way.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
Rhere to Go

Vaudeville.
-; este. Vaudeville and pictures.
Motion Pictures.
R;oito. Jackie Coogan in Trouble.
Luncheon Clubs.
Wednesday.
Lions Club at the Gunter.
Salesmanship Club at the Gunter.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

may be-" said Mr..
Newrieh to h s
wife.
SIS that so?" in
quired Mrs. New
rich, impressively.
well. l want you
TO use all your
money . and infIu-
ence if necessar.,
to get dear Oswald
on a much grander
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

You did. you did, mother" insisted
Molly. "You told me that If he att
tempted to be sentimental l must sit
on him."
The little girl in the trolley car was
a pest. She crossed The aisle to del
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

"An amicable rapture" is said 10 have
terminated the conference Of premicrS at
Paris: How fortunate it was not fist
fight or something. .....
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09

sir" the waiter responded. will you
have it now, or wait until it's done!'
"Mr. yanderpile's eldest son is serv-
ing on the grand Jury. whatever that