davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-03-13
Propose Ruhr Solution.

The agreement reached at Brussels
between the French and Belgian pre-.
miers and proclaimed in an official an.
nouncement may not result in an I'M
mediate solution of the problem of the
Ruhr, but il certainly cuts the ground
from under the German contention
that the objective of the Ruhr adven-
ture is not reparations but annexa-
ticn. Poincare and Theunis assert that
their governments are ready to with
draw French and Belgian troops
progressively from the Ruhr as Ger
many makes payments on account Of
reparations. but that mere promises
to pay will not be accepted. AS that is
precisely the program followed by the
Germans when they occupied French
territory to enforce collection Of in.
demnity following the war of 1871, the
Berlin government will find it hard
to support complaint that France and
Belgium are dealing unjustly in the
present instance.
The Germans may contend that 1t is
impossible for them to make payments
so long as their workshop is in the
hands of their creditors, but such a
plea cannot be made to hold water.
The world is convinced that the Ger
man industrialists have sufficient hard
cash sequestered abroad to pay sub
stantial part of the sums now overdue,
and thus to set in motion the process
of evacuation. And as the evacuation
progressed more and more Of the pro-
ductive resources of occupied territory
would be released for creating the
means of further payments.
To distant observers it looks as if
the Brussels pronouncement may point
the way to solution of the entire prob
lem of reparations. for it would put
the good faith of both Germany and
France to the test. And it is in d large
measure because neither party has had
confidence in the good faith of the
other that matters have come to the
pass they have. If the Germans show
a real willingness to meet their obliga-
tions by producing reasonable
amount of the ready money they are
known to have there is little doubt
but that q loan, guaranteed by the
industrialists, could be fioated and
credits arranged for necessary raw
materials. And France would have to
meet q real exhibition of intention to
pay in a spirit of accommodation, for
failure to do SO would confirm present
widespread suspicious of her real de-
sires and purposes.
There is every logical reason for
accepting the Brussels proposal at its
full face value. However well justified
the French may feel their occupation
of the Ruhr to have been, they know
now that it gives little promise of i'm
mediate benefits, and a graceful and
not Improbable way out would be as
welcome to the French as it would be
to the rest of tie world.
Evening star., 1923-03-13
EDITORIAL DIGEST

indianapolis Star (independent repub--
liCanp, which sees the record 'one OF
great progress. The result of wise
foresight and courageous initiative on
the part of the President, his cabinet
at the head of the governmental de-
partments and of the sixty seventh
Congress" His future course will be
benefited. the Philadelphia Bulletin
independent republican, thinks. II
he will make swing around the CIR
Gle this summer. because every body
realizes that d President can do bet
ter work in Washington if he occa-
sionally goes to the country.
The success or failure of the hrSt
two years of the administration. the
Roanoke World News independent
point of view. The republican organi-
zation and the people Of the United
States have received what they bar
gained for. Woodrow Wilson led
Congress. led the country, led the
world. President Harding has led
nothing. Rightly or wrongly the
country had conceived a dislike for Il
strong executive. President Harding s
nomination and election called for a
return to the traditional methods of
government by checks and balance,
by give and take" And there will be
very little change the New York Post
Gndependent holds, although cir
cumstanceS more powerful than the
Presidents self-denying conception of
leadership may compel a revision Of
the record" To which the New York
World tdemocrat adds: MIR. Hard
ing is an amiable man who has failed
to contribute materially to the re-
construction of his own country or of
the world because he was pledged not
to lead, because he was trained not
to lead. because he lacks the kuowl-
edge with which to lead" But his
two years have been valuable in eX-
perience," the Reading Tribune Gnde-
pendenO holds. and the showing AT
exceed the showing of the first two
years
IF the Harding administration is
to go down in history as successful
its best chance lies in the foreign
| field" the Boston Globe independent,
/ republican, suggests that MIR.
Harding is frequently compared to
Mex inley. but he lacks Mckinley
| most important adjunct-he lacks a
! Mark Hanna. and he needs one
1T happens that she times demand
! a fighting President" suggests the
/ Lincoln State journal Gnde pendent re
publicanl. while fighting is not much
| to Mr. Harding's mind. The ultimate
, decision upon his administration will
depend very much on his development
; during the next year and a half in
| the leadership which the times and
/ political circumstances are thrustine {
upon HIM against his will" The To-
| peka Capital independent republi-
I CAM insists the prospects of Hard
| ing's reelection look better than q
| year or six months ago. If after al
/ he has the luck to come before the
| country i'll 1924 favored by L breeze
| of prosperity and business revival he
| will have earned it. The last two
! years. as they are looked back upon
wero years justifying caution. steI
| at a time. rather than plunSing."
Evening star., 1923-03-13

bolical Of his ending public career.
and of the many useful years that lay
behind him. But he is not to be re.
garded as a pathetic figure by any
manner Of means, or comparable with
SO many men who have left Congress
with a distinguished career and an
enviable record of public service
broke" and dispirited. This sturdy old
buck Of the prairies while serving his
country also conserved his private
business affairs, though with never a
taint Of scandal. He owns the major
interest in d tidy little bank and has
his farm lands.
Asked by colleague before leaving
how he would occupy his time. he re-
piled, "Oh, 1 will go down to the bank
and the boys will drop in to see me
and pass the time of day" And what
interesting "reminiscences OF men and
affairs 1.-The boys" will hear. Too bad
if there be not "chicl amang them,
taking notes" for the benefit of pos.
terity.
And there we will leave him in the
sunset glow of his years and career,
an interesting figure of a great period
"a link between Lincoln and us: for
he was cotemporaneous with Lincoln,
figure who seems so remote from
these times.
Evening star., 1923-03-13
SHOOTING STARS.
BY rHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Old Music Box.

It's tones were tinlling once and gay;
But now, unheeded in the gloom,
1t occupies, mid shadows gray,
A dusty. unfrequented room.
Yet, careless1y I sometimes pause
And turn the key and bid it sound
Despite the broken pegs and flaws
Which SO conplainingly abound.
The melodies are old and queer
You scarce would think that years
They thrilled to every idle ear;
And now for me alone they flow.
Even though cogs may squeak and jar
And rhythms often feebly halt,
They call sweet memories from afar.
l love the theme and pass the fault.
Perchance n lot or yours twill be
Some time i'll shadows to remain,
When we are worn and out of key
And strive for harmonies in vain.
I hope some old.time loving friend
Our dormant skill vii. deign to stir
And find us, even to the end,
Not as we are, but as we were.
Evening star., 1923-03-13
Optimism.

Pessimists or "gloomsters" have
never been popular in the United
States, but Il number of men of Ger
tain type have always been busy at
the trade of "glcomfnG." Their spe-
cialty has been in looking for disaster.
Their vision has been trained to pick
out catastrophe in the fairest pros
pect and to point to dark hours OIL the
sunniest day. The dismalsts have
been crying wolf SO long that many
persons who lent an ear to their wall
ing are now turning a deaf ear to
them. The prosperity Of the United
States has not busted 1t is still
booming. Railroad traffic and earnings
are coming on satisfactorily. Estab
lished manufacturing concerns that
have been in the habit OF making goods
at comfortable cost and selling at q
reasonable profit report that trade is
doing well. Money is Plentiful and
cheap enough to do business with, and
can be borrowed on easy terms when
the collateral is good. Employment
for workingmen who will work is nor
NAL or above the normal, and the free
SOUP kitchen and the bread line are
Evening star., 1923-03-13

| not much in evidence. Wage rates
| are high. Everything Is high. Build
ing material is high, but building goes
| merrily on. A new home costs more
money than 1t did a few years ago,
but buyers have the money. We seem
to have come to live upon a higher
price level, and we may, stay there.
That may be prophecy, but it is q
strong probability. For centuries the
world has been climbing in its stand
ards and cost Of living, and yet it lives
and flourishes. When you could buy
two big Potomac shad for a quarter
there were outcries about the high
cost of living. Old people at that
time said that when they were chill.
dren it was possible to buy two shad
for 'levy" and four for a quarter. A
hundred years ago a man probably
made more ado in paying out 25
| cents for two shad than his grandson's
wife does today in paying dollar and
a quarter apiece for shad and ordering
the fish dealer to send them home by
automobile.
We are all getting along fairly we'll.
The world never was a bed Of thorn.
less roses for most Of us. Another
European war has not broken out,
! though the prophets OF gloom were
sure it would be upon us by this time.
England and France are not at bloody
grips with Turkey. The Turks, who
have had such astonishing success in
! hypnotizing the world into the belief
that victory over the Greeks Is the
equivalent OF final victory over the
| allies in the world war, seem con-
descendingly willing to attend another
| Lausanne conversation party. The
| war between Islam and Christendom
| has not yet broken out. The mighty
conflict between the white and yellow
| races has not begun, and the avalanche
| of yellow hordes has not begun its
! avalanching work. Even the race
| war in this country is not raging. The
panic that hopeful bears and sold-out
| bulls have been looking for has not
| come. The United States is doing bust
ness at the old stand. Men are plowing
! the peaceful fields and making ready
| for spring planting. Householders are
raking up the litter on the lawns and
! trimming the rose bushes. The sound
| Of saw and hammer is abroad in the
| land. Factory whistles Shrek at morn.
| noon and eventide. Really it seems
| that pessimism is out Of joint, and
that the occupation of the gloomster
| should be gone.
Evening star., 1923-03-13
Uncle Joe Cannon's Sunset.

So "Uncle Joe" Cannon is back
home. The press reports depict him
alighting from the train wearied but
undaunted, his soft brown hat cooked
at a roguish angle, the familiar black
cigar sticking up deflantly. lie al
lowed he was tired-"plumb worn out
is the expression out DanviIle way
and was coming home to rest up bit
end then take renewed interest in af.
fairs. Perhaps, like Antaeus of my
thology. he expects to gain increased
strength by contact with the ground.
Washington in fancy pictures him
silhoustted In the sunset glow, SYM
Evening star., 1923-03-13
OId.Time Cemeteries
Desecrated, Is Charge
rattan Of Tho star:

To the Editor of The star:
don't believe | was ever so sur
prised in my life as L was the uaS
found the old Presbyterian ceme-
tory ON Fairfax street and the olu
Quaker burial ground on Queen street.
hotb in the heart of the city OF Alex
andria. Alexandria is full OF history
and the descendants OF many Oh the
e.r1v people noted in history are NV
in. there today. Therefore, she
should do all in her power 10 pre-
serve everything bearing Oh her early
d.vs and those who helped make TINS
government what it is today. Instead
of that what does Alexandra 90 :.
One has but to look. The old quaker
cemetery in the very heart ol the
city is used as a playground. MANY
of tbe stones are removed from thel"
original places and resting against
tho surrounding walls. Others are
living fat OH the ground to be tram
nled under foot. Being Sunday the
gate was, locked, but the iron oars
had been bent apart and the ooSs
nassed through easily In this ceme-
terry rests the unmarked grave oil Dr.
Dick, Washington's physician.
The old Presbyterian cemetery on
Fairfax street, is being used for
chicken yard. Stove wood Is lying
on one stone, a chicken coop on an
other, chickens were roosting on one
one had pans of water for the
chickens. A good-sized chicken house
is in the inclosure. 1 took twelve
pictures of this place. Stones broken
| to pieces and weeds so high that u
| they had been in leaf the stones would
have been invisible. These stones are
Evening star., 1923-03-13
THE WAYS OF WASHINGTON
BY WILLIAM PICKETT HELM.

lions of bonds makes the total OF
their endowment twenty-five millions
alredy scored successes to justify
even that sum. / believ that the
institution for research will repay
ten fold in servis to the world. 1t
has alredy done wonders.
Q. Can you Civ US an account OF q
few OF these wonders?
A. Yes, sir. You notist in the
telegrafic news yesterday that the
yacht Carnegie had just reacht
Buenos Aires. That yacht Is the
ed for iron; the latter defects the
magnetic needle and bronze does not.
The result is that all former OBJ
servations are inaccurate.
The Carnegie is going over all the
seas. year after year. putting the
world right But that Is not all the
institution Is doing.
Consider the results achieved at
the great observatory on Mount Will
son in California, established by the
institution which l visited last win
ter. The institution discovered a
young genius in Professor Hale who
adopted an entirely new process, in
Guiding photography.
my arrival revealed 10000 new
worlds. and he has written me since
that his second plate has revealed
$4,000 new worlds never seen by
man, some of them ten times larger
than our sun.
The whole world is going to listen
to the oracle on the top of Mount
Wilson. and in a few years we shall
know more about the universe than
Gallileo ever drempt of. A new lens
100 inches in diameter Is being pre-
pared of three times more power
than any yet made. l hope | shall
live long enough to hear the reNeld-
tions that are to come from Profes-
sor Hale on Mount Wilson.
1t is triumf indeed for this
young continent OF ours to be the
revealer to the world of the prime
mysteries of the universe and
couldn't resist giving the institution
the second gift.
Many other wonderful things that
institution in Washington has in OPP
GRAFTON, the results of which promise
to be equally satisfactory. Some day
it may need fifty millions of dollars
We can put no limit upon its achieve
mentS.
That is what Andrew Carnegie
thought Of the great institution al
Washington that bears his name. The
ironmaster's wish that he might live
long enough to hear the revelations
from Mount Wilson was fulfilled only IN
part. for he died few years later
| called up the institution on the
telephone to ask the whereabouts OF
the Yacht Carnegie. the only one oi
its kind in the world. That Is the
vessel which Mr. Carnegie said was
putting the world right"
IT'S here in Washington. / was
told Tiled up at the foot of Seventh
street. l believe, waiting orders fol
it's next cruise"
Evening star., 1923-03-13
FOREIGN Rum Runners.

London and New York dispatches
reporting that rum fleets from two sec
tons of the globe are preparing to at
tack the Atlantic seaboard Of the
L nited States with their cargoes of
prohibited liquors. to be ultimately
smugSled ashore. should constitute Il
subject of concern to the people of
this country. 1t is said that five ships,
operated under the flag of Panama by
y German magnate, are to land colos-
sal cargoeS from Glasgow: that d
British syndicate is TO supplement the
feet now anchored beyond the three
mile limit off the New Jersey shore
Bahamas. threatening a veritable flood
IT liquors, not only barred by the Con-
stitution and the statute, but of adj
united questionable quality.
Weird stories are told of the friction
and competition among the fleets and
OF acts that recall the palmy days of
capt. Kidd in southern water; of rum
pirates who attack the smaller craft
end rob them of their cargoes. The
bottle and cortscrcw have replaced
the black emblem of skull and bones
as piracys insignia.
While there may not be any canon
nf international law which can be in.
volled against the practice of ships un-
der foreign flags thus approaching
he shores of a friendly nation to VIC
la te its laws in fact, though not techni
cally, there should exist Il comfy
among nations which woaid find some
means to prevent proceedings that
mock the moral sense of this country
and undermine the respect of our citi-
zens for the law.
Evening star., 1923-03-13
Passing the Halfway Mark, the
Verdict Is Uncertain.

Reaching the halfway mark IN MS
term of office, there has been hiuch
more or less critical discussion not
alone of what President Harding mas
ACCOMPLISHED but concerning his 1u-
ture course. 1t seems to be asreeu
he now is an avoWed cdhdluate ioi
denomination and that he VIII carr!
the fight" not alone TO the common
enemy, the democracy, but to the IN
surgent element inside of the repup-
Hcan national organizations Because
of this there is a seeming inclination
70 suggest that the next Congress
will no forced openly to clash with
the executive before it is many days
on the job.
In routine and business manage
ment the administration has been
notably successful and is entitled 10
great credit" insists the Springfield
Union independent republican,. but
II holds that failure to compel set
tIement of the coal and ralINa!
strikes has badly damaged II every
where" The biggest thing, says the
Elmira Star Gazette Independently ).
lis the Washington conference OF ma
tions and the treaties signed al thdt
time. Pressing this closely LOT non
ors is the settlement OF the brltiSh
debt At mid-term 1t must De iralh I.
Iy revealed that he has been a as
annoiutment as President although
he is greatly beloved as man. IL
Iil.ewise seems certain. argues lhe
Richmond News Leader tdemocrat) ;.
1.-The worst sailing of Mr.. Harding Is
ahead" Personally. the Chattah"osa
News (democraD. holds. "he invests
every suggested step with such a be
wilderment of red tape and conditions
as effectually to throttle all hope Oh
accomplishment
Sharply countering this argument,
the New York Tribune trepubilcant J.
insists, ito any fair Judgment Tue
! Presidents record stands out as one
of notable achievement. lie mas dOli'
things which were both renlar haotc
and spectacular. and things Whci
were remarkable without being spec
tacular." Most of his promises nave
beeu kept. the Albany kn1ckerpochef
Press independent republican, Says,
".nd II is a good sheet of debit ana
credit President Harding holds Ill ms
hands at the end of the nrst wv
, wears" Impressive. likeWlse: is iHe
f.ct "the Dopularity Of Mr.. Harding
ran,,;ns unimpaired." as the kalama
zoo Gazette Gndependent republi-
can, sees it, land the public is more
inclined to sympathize with hlm IN
his difficulties than 10 blame MN lof
the failure of his plans.
The entire record is thought by the
Chicago News tindependcnt' 10 ne
..straneeIy inverted. 1t seems TO III
dictate presidential Sltud'i III
, which Dressures from without are
r,nra influential than impulses from
,'';,lin ,'i1 In contradiction to this
; -. however. is the opinion of the
Evening star., 1923-03-13

A check for $10.oo0,o00 and a friend
ly little scolding-the one occasionine
almost as much surprise as the other
were once handed simultaneously
by Andrew Carnegie to a noted Wash
ingtonian. The recipient was Robert
S. Woodward. the time about twelve
years ago and the place Mr.. Carne-
gie's home In New York city.
At that time Mr.. Woodward was
president of the Carnegie Institution
OF Washington. the great foundation
Tor scientific research which the iron
faster founded. Mr.. Carnegie sum-
moned Mr.. Woodward to New York:
I'm I'm = very busy" Mr.. Carnegie
here how many things I have to at
tend to-" And he waved his hand to-
ward a desk purposely Uttered with
many papers.
"Furthermore," Mr.. Carnegie con-
tinued, IT dislike to be interrupted.
He waxed quite petulant. Il am
most busy.
But here" and he handed Mr..
Woodward an envelope. Take this
and go into the other room and walt
for a few minutes. If you will. This
will interest you"
Mr.. Woodward was greatly sur
prised and somewhat annoyed, but he
did as requested. When he opened
the envelope he found the check for
$1O.000,000. Meantime Mr.. Carnegie
had gone back to his desk in the adj
joining room. Mr.. Woodward stepped
to the door and beheid the ironmas-
ter chuckling in enjoyment. 1t was
Carnegie's idea Of good joke.
Mr.. Carnegie announced the dona-
tion short time afterward. He sum
moned newspaper man to his home
and handed him a typewriter state
| ment which he, Mr.. Carnegie, had
dictated.
The statement was written in sim
plitied spelling, then one of Mr.. Car
negie's fads. and was in question and
answer form. Mr.. Carnegie had not
only answered the questions. but had
asked them as well. All that was left
| for the reporter to do was to Ia ke
the paper 1t was a predigested in
terview, forerunner of the present
DAY statement or "hand-out" with
which Washington abounds.
What made it all the more inter-
esting was that Mr.. Carnegie had
terlineations In his own handwrlt-
| ing The writer has the statement
now, and reproduces 1t below as An
drew Carnegie's idea of a proper
newspaper interview. The original
spelling is retained.
Q. Is the report correct that you
| hav given ten millions in bonds &c
| the Carnegie Institution of Wash
! ington?
A. Yes, it is correct.
O. They had a large endowment
before. had they not?
A. Yes, they had. This ten NIL