davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-12-04

lated in the ministry Of the Friends
Church, and l was consulted by him,
With others, as to the undertaking.
The use of the term ''so-called' in con-
nection with the reference to his posi-
ton as associate secretary of the Coun-
ell for the Prevention of War is gra-
tuitous, as Mr.. Nicholson has repeat
edly interviewed members of Congress
and cabinet officers in that capacity
and is well known to be just what the
literature of the council represents him
to be. Last summer the Friends
Mrs. Nicholson to go to Russia to take
supervisory charge of the work of re-
lief and rehabilitation in that stricken
country for a period of some ten
months. The federal authorities were
apprised of the exact purpose of his
going and no apology would seem to
be needed at this late date for the
fairly widely reported work of this re-
lief agency, which has been credited
with sthe saving of thousands of lives
and which is now enabling many farm
ers and artisans to resume a position
of self-support.
AS to the allegation that the ma
tional council is IAN advocate of soviet
Russia" l am sure that Mr.. Vile can
find nothing more than a position ia
voring the recognition of the existing
government as a step toward tranquil
plicitly denied statement as to the
council being financed from abroad is.
of course, not vouched. for by Mr.. Vile.
LINDLEY D. CLARK.
Evening star., 1923-12-04
Denies Irregularity
In Russian Mission

To the Editor OF The Star:
A reading of the article by Mr.. Fred
eric William Vile, which appeared in
The Star of Friday last, on page 22
almost makes one wonder why he felt
called upon to discuss so many matters
on which he felt lack Of information,
and it is certainly no compliment to the
"federaI authorities" to which he re-
neatedly alludes, to offer their alleged
Ignorance of facts as a shield for his
own.
hold no brief for the "Women's 8
Peace Union" but believe, after all,
that their purposes and methods are
quite fully set forth in the article noted
and win only ask why it should be
necessary to refer to the Department
of Justice any question as to the ac-
tivities of citizens who, by perfectly
constitutional methods of publicity and
petition. seek to gain what they claim
(why say pretend" will result In the
and of war. Certainly Mr.. Vile does
nots pose as one who desires war
AS to Mr.. S., E. Nicholson and his
mission to Russia (not in Moscow, but
in the province of Samara, on the
Asiatic border, one of the worst famine
districts), the facts are simple and
easily known. have known Mr.. Mich
|olson well for forty years and just prior
to his going to Europe we were asso-
Evening star., 1923-12-04
The White House.

It surprises many Washingtonians
to learn from the annual report of
Gen. Beach, chief of engineers, that
the White House, both from the
standpoint Of security in structural
features and the fire hazard present, >
Is unsafe. Gen. Beach says that this
condition is indicated by a prelirni-
terror upper portion Of the Executive
Mansion" More than q preliminary
study is needed, and perhaps a COM
plete study has already been made.
An appropriation of s4OO, 900 is asked
OF Congress that immediate remedial
measures may be taken to prevent a,
possible calamity"
This is really startling Every citi.
zen OF Washington was firm in the
belief that the White House was "as
solid as Il rock" and that it's condition
was as good as that of any new build.
ing. It's Aqua sandstone walls have
weathered at least a century and a
quarter. Its roof, floors and rafters
were Of the best trees of our forests,
have been renewed from time to time,
and 1t was popular belief that the
famous old building was kept in q
prime state of repair. At intervals
carpenters and most other kinds of
mechanics have been at work in the
White House, and there was no
Thought in the minds of Washington
people that the building was in a
rundown condition. It would be
interesting to know just what the
matter is with the White House, but
thut it is something serious is shown
by Gen. Beach's recommendation that
100000 be appropriated by Congress
that Immediate remedial measures
be taken Ito prevent a possible ca
larnity.''
Evening star., 1923-12-04
Mellon Tax Bill in Senate.

IT is evident that the proposal of
Secretary Mellon for Il material re-
duction in federal taxes is to be man
handled by the democrats when the
bill, which will be called the admins
tration bill, goes over to the Senate
from the House, should it retain the
form its proponent suggests. The
democrats of the Senate, in caucus
yesterday, with the exception of Sena-
tor Glass of Virginia and Senator
Bruce of Maryland. agreed unani-
mously not to support the Mellon bill
but to suggest amendments which
would radically change it. Senator
Simmons, ranking democrat on the
finance committee, announced that
the democrats would propose further
reductions in the taxes of people Of
small incomes, but would not consent
to reductions in the surtaxes.
This determination on the part Of
the democrats presages IA long fight
over the question of tay reductions.
Probably it would be impossible to
htcp pClltlCS Oul VI CoHSluSfdlIoIi VI Il
tax bill on the eve OF the general cleo
tions, but the country would be appre-
ciative if Congress would deal as
speedily as possible with the subject.
1t is an economic question in its
highest sense, and while naturally
there will be differences of opinion
among men over it, the country has
right to expect a reasonably speedy
settlement Of these differences. The
administration is committed to tax re-
duction, and the country will hold the
party in power responsible for nom
action, and also will criticize any fac
tion or party that unnecessarily de-
lays the legislation.
Evening star., 1923-12-04
Christmas Seals.

People should buy the Christmas
seals which the Washington Tubercu-
losis Association has put on sale. For
q good many years Washingtonians
have generously answered this annual
appeal, and they will make a proper
response this year.
The death rate from one OF the
horror-scourges Of humanity is being
reduced. Mankind seems to be win
ming in its fight against tuberculosis,
or, as old-fashioned people called it,
consumption" A day or so ago The
Star printed a graphic chart showing
that there had been a marked and
steady decrease in the death rate
among the white population of the
District since 1900 and among the
colored population since 1905.
In 1900 the annual death rate in the
white population from tuberculosis
was 1873 per 1000, in 1905 it was 155
per 1000, in 1910, 1877 per 1000; in
1915, ia per 1000. and in 1922 it had
fallen to 62 per 1000. Among the
colored population the death rate from
tuberculosis in 1905 was 494 per 900
in 1910, 453; in 1915, 407, and in 1922
it had fallen to 246 per 1000. The
chart shows that the decline in the
tuberculosis death rate Of both races
was much sleeper from 1915 to 1922
than between the preceding five-year
periods. It will be seen that the tuber.
culosis death rate Is much higher In
Evening star., 1923-12-04
The Commissioners Report.

In their annual report to Congress
The District Commissioners present a
review of important activities during
the year past. and offer numerous
suggestions and recommendations for
carrying the Capital toward the goal
of development that is the ideal of the
nation for its seat of government.
Some Of these proposals are of a
routine character in themselves, but
they all make for the evolution of the
model municipality.
In respect to the greater projects
necessarily the Commissioners in
their report are confined to the bare
outlines, for their estimates for main
tenance and improvements are yet tt
be disclosed in the volume Of thu
budget, which conveys them TO Con
sress. This present report is rather a
business document, a survey of the
activities Of the fiscal year. It shows
g. highly organized municipal ma,
chine, functioning satisfactorily and
giving Il maximum of service TO the
community.
1t is inevitable that in community
OF nearly $50 900 people denied direct
participation in the management of
their affairs, those designated as Gus
todians of the public welfare should
find difficulties in the way OF entirely
satisfactory administration But in
the case Of the District there Is a re.
yyly Lob No. FT.N.
people go TO the District building with
their pleas and petitions and pro-
posals and find there sympathetic con-
sideration. They go to Congress, di-
rectly or through the Commissioners,
and find there courtesy and a hearing,
and often get what they want. In
their report the Commissioners desig.
nate the most important and most
practicable of the items of public
need. They are i'll a position to see
the necessities clearly, even more
clearly than are the people of the Dis
trict. They state them specifically
and plainly and strongly, and their
requisitionS are received with the at
tention they deserve, as expressive Of
the wish Of the community whose
guardians they are.
In the endeavor to make Washing.
ton a model municipality the Commits
sioners are restrained by financial
considerations. The peculiar situa-
ton here with regard to the main
tenance of the Capital imposes upon
them restrictions which do not obtain
elsewhere. As administrators they are
compelled to keep strictly within the
limitations set by Congress. They
now. in discharge of their duty, make
report of the wardenship, and ask for
authority to go ahead with the task
OF giving Washington the best munich
pal administration in the country.
Evening star., 1923-12-04

That distinguished and influential
citizen OF the republic, Mr.. Vox
Populi, typified by $50 of the lead
ing newspaper editors of the coun-
try, is about to receive an invita-
tion. The Navy Departments wants
, the editors to be it's guests at the
annual spring battle maneuvers Of
the United States feet in the Carib-
[ bean and adjacent waters. They
would be accommodated aboard the
. transport Henderson. which carried
, members of Congress to the naval
manuevers off the Panama canal last
winter and afterward took Presi-
dent Harding on his ill-starred
! journey to Alaska. The maneuvers
Will begin after the middle of Feb
home aboard battleships and landed
in New York three weeks later.
Z !: y i
Baron .Kijuro Shidehara, well re-
membered as Japanese ambassador
,, to the United States until 1923, writes
touchingly of his experiences in the
earthquake which destroyed Toxic
/ and Yokohama. He says. in a let
ter TO an American friend: 81 am
glad TO say that 1 am still existing.
So are all of my family. The awful
! catastrophe reduced to ashes our
new house, our furniture, clothing,
I books-almost everything that we
possessed except our lives The
, sense of obligation among the Jap
anese for Americas generous We
lief is engraved in the hearts Of all
classes. 1t is bound to survive long
Oh. / l.
and the fire is forgotten. 1t will
exercise vast and far-reaching in
fiuence upon the friendly relations
. of the two nations"
** = X
John w. II. Grim, retained by At
. torney General Daugherty to prose-
cute preferred charges of irregu-
larity in the Veterans Bureau, is a
Virginian and a loyal alumus of
William and Mary College. He and
Rear Admiral Cary T Grayson are
WashingtoH's chief boosters" Of the
venerable institution founded in 1893.
Although republican In politics,
Judge" Grim has been associated
with the Department of Justice off
and on in various capacities in DEM
Ocratic as well as republican ad-
ministrations since 1906. He is ap-
DTOacnlnS IOrtE-nNe years OF age ana
is Il Phi Beta Kappa man.
x X i x
Washington is filling up with not
ables not only for the opening Of
Congress. but for annual mid winter
dinner of the Grldiron Club on De-
r cember S. The President and would
| be Presidents galore are expected TO
grace the occasion. Scott c. Bone,
| governor of Alaska, recalled a grim
| allusion to the dinner by President
/ Harding when "farthest north la st
/ summer. Bone asked Harding If the
! President expected to attend the i'm
! pending festivity. NO replied the
( latter. Il want Coolidge TO have the
/ houors on that occasion"
tConyr ght igo3
Evening star., 1923-12-04
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

O. Is the Red Cross still offering
to help Americans rendered destitute
In the Japanese earthquake?-S. u.
A. The Red Cross says that Its
assistance in this line will approx
mate 100000. Already nearly $780,
900 has been expended and $4,000
more Is available for the work. IL
this is not sufficient the amount Will
be increased.
Q. Are the ambassadors and min
listers to this country amenab'e TO
our traffic regulations?-G. V. @.
A In such matters as traffic reg
uIations IL Is usual for them to con-
form to our ways, although repre-
sentatives of foreign powers are not
subject to our laws.
Q When did R'lly Sunday become
an evangelist2--H. ..
a. He became an evangelist in
1895. He was professional base
ball player from 1888 70 1890. and
assistant secretary of the Chicago
Y. VI. G. A. from 1891 TO 1895.
O. What wood will make the best
imitation Of mahogany--C.H II.
A. Cherry wood and gum are the
two hard woods used most in the
manufacture Of imitation mahogany.
O. Nhnn wAre the FIST college boat
races held in this cOuntry?-P. T.
A. The first races held were be-
tween boats owned nv Vale students
in Boston harbor in 1894. the contest
ants heing an eF~ht -oared pie and a
dugout canoe. The first intercollegi-
ate race was rowed hv Ya'e and Har-
vard crews in eight-oared baroas over
. y L.
saukee in 1852.
o. Why is the word maverick ap-
nli"d to cattle that are unbranded?-
l. T.
a. It X said to have originated with
! Samuel Maverick, a cattle owner in
T@yaS. who did not brand his cattle,
as mis- ranch was on an island.
@. Is The Star Snaneled Banner
the national anthem?-T. p.
A. "The Star Snanr1ed Banner" has
never been legally recoPnized as the
national anthem Of the United states
Congress, as late as 1914 refused to
declare IL so nv resolution. Its only
official recognition occurred nearly a
hundred wears after IL was written.
when 1t was formally ordered to be
PLAYED in the Army and Navv on oc-
caSionS Of ceremony. Its standing is
undisputed in other lands. and when
ever America is honored in music this
air is played.
O. How much did Washington and
jefferson receive as salary while
, President?- O.
a. The salary was then $4,000.
Q. When was the first taxicab used
in the United States?-W. O. H.
A The first one in this country was
put into operation in New York city
on October /, 1907.
O. When were the first cast-iron
water pines used in the United States
F. L. W.
A. The first cast-iron water pipe
was laid in Philadelphia in 1904. This
pipe was obtained from England. The
first cast-iron water pipes were made
in the United States about 1917.
@. What is the derivation Of the
word chestnut?-N. L.
A. The Grocers' Encyclopedia says
that the name chestnut is derived
from that of the town of kastania ir
Asia Minor II is also more or less
preserved in several other languages
Evening star., 1923-12-04

concerned, but it is not likely to have
ended it otherwise. 1t will remain Il
subject Of discussion, and it may be-
come the subject of legislation.
In his report to the President At
torney General Daugherty takes occa-
sion to uphold the action of the fed
eral judge in declaring Mr.. Craig
guilty of contempt and in imposing
sentence upon him. He is actuated in
this by the belief that the controller
Of New York sought 20 impede the
course of justice by public denuncia-
ton Of the action Of the court. Pro
ceeding further, the Attorney General
inpugns the good faith OF the con-
troller in his procedure in resisting
the sentence. This statement by the
Attorney General may contribute to
the discussion OF the case and its
maintenance as a Legislative issue.
Yet there is no partisan politics in it.
1t is not q political question. There
the matter of contempt of court.
Many hold that the power OF the
court to punish for contempt is some
times abused and should be re-
strained. Others hold that it is Il nee
essary power. and that the law al
ready provides means of preventing
abuse, through proper appeal. In the
case OF Mr.. Craig it was seen that he
had this opportunity for Il review of
the matter on its merits, but, electing
to take q shorter cut, he ignored that
method and his final predicament was
the result.
The contempt case OF Mr.. Craig has
never been heard on its merits in q
court beyond that Of the first in
stance. In the circumstances ii can
never be SO heard. The Attorney
Generals report is but dictum, ad-
viSory to the President, who has
without comment, granted clemency
to prevent the embarrassment that
the controllers Imprisonment would
bring upon the administration OF
Greater New York. SO the case stands,
an illustration of the extreme point
to which the court may go in preserv-
ing what il regards as its duty and
immunity from obstructive criticism.
Evening star., 1923-12-04

the colcred than the white population.
n generation ago this disease was
classed as incurable. It was not gen.
orally known to be infectious. Causes
predisposing one to infection were not
widely known. 1t is now classed as d
preventable disease and durable il
taken in time" The time to take
it, is the earliest moment possible.
One Of the important agencies in the
District in educating children and
adults in ways of protecting them
selves against tuberculosis and in
combating it when it appears has
been and is the Washington Tubercu-
losis Association. Money from the
sale OF Christmas seals goes to help
this association in it's life.saving work.
Evening star., 1923-12-04

the armistice. Government is not as
fat as the paper marks, for there is
order and law enforcement, and
beer cellar revolution is confined to
the beer cellar. But which way
Germany would have been headed
with the former press agent OF the
Hohenzollerng in America as chan
:el'Or canno' be guessed"
Dealing directly with the fall OF
the Stresemann cabinet. the Chicago
Daily News points out 'if the news Of
the signing OF agreements by rep
rcsentattves of the leading Ruhr in
dustrialists. and the French orupa-
tional forces. had reached the. reichs-
tag fifteen minutes earlier than It
did the Stresemann cabinet would have
weathered another crisis. Stresnmann
saved the republic. and his cabinets,
complete and incomplete. have de-
served we'll of true German patriots
and republicans. Their tasks have
been almost superhuman at times.
hut the republic lives and progress
has been made toward peace and
the Richmond News-Leader believes
any ministry formed under existing
condi' ions cannot live long and that
general election in the near future
is certain.
Emphasizing this view. the Cleve-
land Plain Dealer insists "the i'm
mediate need of Germany is political
accord, with confidence in the govern
ment.
THE longer an international settle
ment is postponed the worse the Ger
, man situation is likely TO become if
the experience of the last few months
| is indicative, and the greater its real
cost as measured in sacrifice and suf-
! fering The dissa atisfaction .of Eng
land and Of a considerable business
group elsewhere in the world with
Poincare's policy will avail little of
advantage to Germany. AS long as
France remains the only nation will
ing to back her convictions with a
definite and firm policy Germany's s
move would seem to be in the direc-
ton of peace and reparations adjust
ment.
Because of the developments of the
| last few months the Providence
Tribune is convinced the German re-
| public seems tottering on its last
| legs. and its demise seems only a
matter of time" while the Dayton
News insists "Poincare's government,
| possibly for as long as the present
| occupation of German territory con-
| tinueS. is secure, while no chancellor
named to succeed StreSemann can be
sure of his position for twenty-four
| hours at a time. This is the differ
ence between success and failure in
government. If the Germans could
| hit upon some one who would embody
| in his official life the best thought
| of all parts Of the nation it would not
| take long to settle all outstanding
| troubles. or. at least, approach q
| solution to them. An ever-changing
| leadership at Berlin cannot bring the
| stability that a constant leadership
! in Paris brings
Evening star., 1923-12-04
Clemency for Craig.

IN remitting the sentence OF sixty
days for contempt of court imposed
by Federal Judge Mayer upon Con-
troller Charles L. Craig of New York
city the President does not grant a
pardon, but exercises clemency in the
interest Of the public welfare OF New
York. Making no comment whatever
upon the case, the President merely
affirms the recommendation of the At
torney General, whose report consti.
tutes a severe indictment of Mr.
Craig for his conduct toward the
court.
This ends the case so far as the
execution Of tho courts sentence IS
Evening star., 1923-12-04
1t Is Just as Well That
DR.. Heinrich Albert Failed

Standing out sharply in the devel-
opments that have followed the down.
fall Of the cabinet of DIR. Stresemann
so far as Americans are concerned.
has been the failure of the men who
betrayed the hospitality of the United
States to get the upper hand in Ger
man affairs. The suave von Bern
storff was mentioned and as speedily
dropped. Then DR.. Heinrich +. AL
bert strutted to the center of the
stage But his cabinet portfolio. un-
detective, proved empty and he final
" was compelled to move aside
nearer oblivion. Not, however. be-
fore he had caused American editors
to wonder whether, had he been sue
cessful and had become chancellor.
this country would have had any
thing to do with him or his plans to
assist Germany.
AS the Boston Transcript put 1t.
Americans will not easily forget
that Albert was the fiscal agent here
of the kaiser's government and ex-
pended on propaganda and other war
purposes the sum of $40 0O,o00-a
bad investment for Germany as
events later proved. The memory OF
his propaganda still carries to us a
sting and an irritation" This is also
the view of the Lynchhurg News
which feels Germany was fortunate
that he was unable to form a cabinet
because with such a man at Its
head, the German government coulc
scarcely hope to make favorable APP
l. NAria 4
continues to be subject of actual
abomination throughout America
his very name suggests hateful mem
ories to loyal Americans. Yet TINS
verdict fails to receive the lndorse-
ment Of the Springfield Republican
which is inclined to feel the services
which he rendered to his government
while in the United States were OF
the sort which all such agents were
expected to perform in neutral coun-
tries and on the whole his activities
were comparatively moderate; II
should at least be reckoned in his
favor that to the last he urged upon
his government the necessity of keep
ing peace with the United States. In
vidious as was his position In the
United States. he made upon those
who met him the impression that he
was an able man"
"The most charitable view of his
selection originally" as the Milwau'
kee Journal saw 1t, was that II
showed the utter poverty Of the Ger.
man republic in available material te
carry on an administration" but the
IouisvflIe Times points out nobody
has attempted to place responsibility
for the failure of Germany to or
ganize itself in a political sense since