davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-01-18
A National Disaster.

Washington feels Inundated by the
repeated assertion that traffic condi-
tions in the District of Columbia are
worse than in other cities. This
humiliation is intensified by such dis
closures as that made by an official of
the New York State traffic bureau in
the course of an address at the annual
school for State troopers held at Troy.
During the year 1924, he said, auto
mobile accidents in New York State
We're responsible for the death of 2,029
persons, or SO more than the total of
the previous year. During 1928, he
said also, motor vehicle accidents in
the State caused an estimated loss of
$54,000,000 in property damage. Three
classes of people, he said, must be
considered in dealing with the prob
lem, those who are criminally ire
sponsible, reckless or needless, those
who are striving to be careful and
those who are indifferent.
1t is painfully evident that tre-
mendously high price is being paid by
the American people Tor rapid lndivid-
ual transit by motor car. The slaugh.
ter of 2,029 persons in one State in a
year is terrible toll. If these deaths
occurred in one disaster public appre-
hension would be aroused to the point
of corrective measures. Scattered as
they are through the days over wide
areas, however, they do not impress
the people as strongly as though they
resulted from a great flood, a fire or
an epidemic.
In the classification of those to be
considered in dealing with this prob.
lem the New York State official OBJ.
viously indicates that the severest cor
rective penalties be applied to the first
group, those who are criminally ire.
sponsible, reckless and needless. These
people are licensed by local authori-
ties, many Of them permitted to drive
Evening star., 1925-01-18

after they have demonstrated their in
capacity or untrustworthinr IS. A cor
rective lies in the cancellation OF their
permits and in the increase Of guaran-
tees against bad performance.
Unquestionably the roads in this
country are given over to use by per-
sons who have no right to employ on
them dangerous machines capable of
high speed and of infiicting deadly
damage. Even though they are mere
ly indifferent, belonging in the third
enumeration as given in the Troy ad-
dress, they are a menace. A compare
lively small percentage of reckless or
Indifferent drivers can pile up griev-
Gus total of wrong in the course OF a
year. Obviously the motor licensing
system is too lax for public security.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Shortening Trials.

The other day, in comment on the
opening of the trial of Castor B.
Means in New York on a charge of
conspiracy TO thwart justice, The Star
remarked that move had been made
in that case to shorten the proceed.
ings by limiting the queries of coun-
sci in the selection of a jury, but sug-
gested that other methods of shorten
ing this and similar proceedings might
be lacking. 1t appears, however, that
Judge Lindley, who is presiding in the
case, is disposed to go further toward
curtailment. He has made a ruling
limiting to 10 the number of char
acter witnesses that will be allowed
to the defense.
This is a move in the interest of
speedier justice. In many trials etesti-
mony is multiplied with great protrac-
tablishing facts. In this matter of
character witnesses testimony has ac-
cumulated far beyond the need. Wit
ness after witness is called to the
more definitely esta blished by such
piIing up of ayowals. The same is
true on other points at issue in Grim
inal trials. Cross examination is spun
out to great length, with numerous
repetitions, counsel covering and re-
covering the same ground with only
slight variation in the form of ques-
tions. Jurors become confused and
wearied by such iterations. The pur-
pose. of course, is to tangle witnesses
in their statements, to cause them to
contradict themselves and thus to dis
credit their own testimony. Some
times such contradictions occur, but
not because Of perjury. Witnesses
are themselves confused and wearied
as hour after hour is spent in twists
and turns of inquisition. Questioning
OF witnesses by the judge is more
likely TO be productive of the truth
than the partisan questioning by
counsel for defense or prosecution.
The purpose of trial at law is to
ascertain the facts. Multiplication of
witnesses and of questions is not re-
quired to elicit the truth. The judg-
ment Of the court is a reliable basis
for determining the measure OF testi-
mony. In this present case Judge
Lindley has ruled that 10 witnesses
will suffice to establish the reputation
and character Of the defendant. Per-
haps he will show the way to shorten
proceedings by cutting down the num-
ber of questions to be asked these
and other witnesses. Assuredly the
in the most complicated case, in half
the time that is spent on some of
these notorious trials which run for
weeks and often then without result
Evening star., 1925-01-18

mothers are injured and the remain.
ing bachelors" are left to prey on
one another. Bad as were the cruelties
of the seal poachers, they never, it
is said. caused the loss of life occa-
stoned by the Spring "harem fights"
Modern sentiment often paints the
trapper as monster, the most highly
developed of creatures of prey. De-
stroyer he may be. but he is a de-
stroyer of destroyers The best type
Of trapper, however sordid may be
his reasons. tries not to kill young or
grown males who kill more of each
other than man does of them.
The statement that the sufferings
of trapped animals may be more in
tense than those of a human being
because of their lack of hope and
morale cannot be taken seriously, but
that fashion. such as the craze for
Summer furs, causes needless waste
and suffering seems to be the con-
sensus of opinion of sentimentahsts.
true naturalists and conservationists.
And that fur farming, now on the
steady increase both in the United
States and Canada. is the best, safest,
most profitable and most humane
method of. providing the warm and
beautiful garments which mankind
has worn since before the dawn Of
history and will continue to wear, not
withstanding every agitation to the
contrary, is the conviction Of those
who have gained their knowledge not
from books or lectures, but from their
own experiences and observations.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
MEN AND AFFAIRS
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

Here is another story or reminis-
cence by Jusserand. Apparently they
Will never end. When a man has
been in high official life in Washing
ton for % years Il is but natural to
md him perfect gold mine of in
formation and pertinent recollection.
The latest story has to do with the
visit of John Morley, afterward Lord
Morley, TO this country toward the
close of the Roosevelt adninistra-
ton at the White House. Morley
had been in the country some time
and was taking leave Of official
Washington. He was Jusserand's
guest at luncheon and the two were
talking tete-a-tete.
Having become fairly we'll Amer
icanized the French Ambassador
asked his distinguished English
friend what had most impressed him
during his stay in America. Morley
did not hesitate before beginning his
reply.
There are two great things" he
said. They have impressed me as
so much alike / shall ever associat te
the two. In my mind they shall be
inseparable- They have the same
characteristics of tremendousness. OF
roar and force and energy. They
overwhelm you.
OIle Is Niagara, the other RooSe-
velt"
X
republics notoriously are migrate
ful. Is the American republic unfair
as well? The thought is called forth
by the retirement on Thursday of Mai
Gen. Robert Lee BulIard, who com
manded the American I'd Army in
France during the World War. Gen
Bullard retired after "A years of dis
tinguished service, taking with hin
only the rank which had come to hin
through the working out of the rule
or seniority in the Army. One of the
real great figures OF the World War
coming out of the conflict with the
temporary rank OF lieutenant general
this soldier, probably the best beloved
in all the Army, has been permitted
by his country to pass on with but
scant need Of praise and no sem.
blance of substantial reward. Gen
BulIard has taken with him TO private
life the more priceless heritage, per.
haps, OF duty well and faithfully done
the profound respect and the unques
toned affection OF those with whom
he has worked and served
The retirement of Gen BuIlard, fol.
lowing that of Gen. Hunter Liggett
Evening star., 1925-01-18

who commanded the American 1st
Army, calls attention anew to the
fact that Congress has granted but
one big reward to q soldier of the
w orld War and that was in making
John J. Pershing permanent in the
rank Of general. There has been only
praise for Congress In the Pershing
bestowaI. but there also has been a
very general feeling that Congress
might well have gone a bit further
and granted the rank of Lieutenant
general to the men who actually COM
manded the American armies in the
field. Brother officers of these gem
erals have been the most keenly hurt
by the reluctance of Congress to go
beyond Gen. Pershing in recognizing
any service rendered In the war
These brother officers have felt that
Liggett and Bullard were entitled 10
the higher rank and several have
pledged themselves still to work for
what they hope may come as an act
of belated justice.
Gen. Billiards service in France was
brilliant. He started out as com
mander Of an officers school in Lyon.
rose to command of the famous 1Et
DIVISION, then to the command of a
corps and finally was placed by Per
shing at the head Of the I'd Army
There never was any question in the
army as 10 his ability and the char
acter Of his service. There should be
none on the part OF Congress
x I
Bruce Barton, maga zine writer and
high priest of advertising, tells an
amusing story which may or NAV not
be apropos Of the recent boom davS
in Wall Street 1t rs the story Of the
New York man who spent week end
with his banker, at Newport. On
Monday morning they stood together
looking out over the sunlit harbor
and the banker said:
DO you see that beautiful boat
over there? That is the private
YACHT Of Mr.. Morgan, OF J. p. Morgan
| d Co
And do you see that one over
| there? That is the private yacht Of
Mr., Higginson, of Lee Higginson &
| Co.
| And do you see that one over
there at the left? That is the private
yacht Of Mr.. Harris. Of Harris Win
throp Co"
Wait a minute" cried the visitor.
Just minute. Where is the custo-
mer's yacht?"
Copyright, 1927
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Furs and Humanity.

The other day d number of women
clad in furs walked out of a lecture
held under the auspices of the HUI
mane Education Society when the
speaker accused extravagant mem
bers of their sex of fostering cruelty
to animals by wearing Unnecessary
furs."
He did not stop with this criticism
OF wearing unnecessary furs, such as
those displayed in Summer, regarding
which he can find few to disagree with
him. He went on 10 say that if fur
wearing women could witness the suf-
fering of innocent" animals caught
in steel traps they would most GER
tainly ban fur coats.
Perhaps, ct first impulse, they
would but the question goes a bit
deeper, and the truth and the proper
course of procedure lie somewhere
between the two extremes. According
TO authorities on the fur trade, who
have gained their knowledge first
hand, one has but to visit the frozen
more cruel than the most careless fur
hunter. In the wilderness there is
practically no such thing as natural
death. Each creature preys on others
smaller or weaker than itself, or,
worse, many eat their own young or
even disembowel their mates.
However cruel trapping may seem
to the tender-hearted city dweller. de.
clares one, trapping is kindness itself
compared to the sufferings and deaths
of fur animals in wild life, where
mothers and unborn young, weaklings
and old, fall victim to ravening tooth
and claw. The attention of sym
pathetic souls is called to the fact that
of about so fur-bearers one can count
on his 10 fingers those that are not
flesh caters.
There is the further consideration
of the superfiuous male. While some
beasts, like the fox, mate for life
many fur-bearers fight for a harem,
and In that fight the young are killed.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
On With the Dance.

oh N'ith SiiO DoAAtNs
Oh, bring the merry jazzers out
And let the music play
To cheer the minds whose gloomy
doubt
Is deepening every day.
Some nations have their debts, we
hear,
Which others would collect.
While bolshevism's acting queer
And rather incorrect.
A hint of war glides round the map
We know it isn't true;
But just the mention of scrap
Makes everybody blue.
So, start the band to make US glad.
The daily news we meet
Has made the headWork rather sad
Let's exercise our feet.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Retirement Pay.

Though time is running rapidly TO-
ward the close of the short session
there is still opportunity for Con
Eress to do justice to the retired Gov
ernment employees, the annutants
who have been relieved from active
duty and are now subsisting on the
neager allowances granted under the
retirement act. \ bill is pending to in
crease the annuities. Arrangements
have been made for its consideration
in the Senate this week. There is no
opposition. The case admits of no
argument on the score of justice. Con
siderations of economy cannot logical
" be advanced. inasmuch as the an
uuity funds now held by the Treasury
suffice to permit the proposed in
crease. All that is necessary is agree
ment for the passage of the bill when
ii is reached on the call of the calen-
dar. If passed by the Senate concur
renee by the House is expected.
The plight of the annuitants is one
of such gravity as TO warrant par
ticular consideration, even in the
hurry of the short session. Many Of
them are unable to maintain them
selves on the greatly reduced amounts
paid them. They are dependent. there
fore, upon others for their support. In
most cases they are of an age which
does not permit their engagement in
other work. Even if they are physical
IL n 70
Guilty in finding employment, for they
must compete for engagements with
younger persons more vigorous, per-
haps better qualified.
In numerous instances these an
Tuitants have been compelled to leave
sctive service while still capable of
performing their duties in the depart
ments and bureaus. The law granted
q margin of active employment, but
with all the special dispensations per
mitted many veteran employees were
turned out who were still able to dis
charge their duties faithfully and
Capably. The reduction of their in
come sharply to one-half or less placed
them in a precarious position
1t was never intended that the re-
tirement act should work such injus-
1ice as to deprive a large number of
worthy men and women, after years
of fidelity in the Government service,
OF the means of decent maintenance
without dependence upon the charity
or good will Of other persons. Retire
ment was designed as a reward, not
as a punishment. Yet at the present
scale of annuities it has become a
punishment. The veteran employees of
the Government now in active service
do not contemplate with pleasure the
prospect of their relief from active
duty. On the contrary, they look upon
it as a menace to their comfort, their
peace of mind and their self-respect.
The cure for this condition is to es-
tablish a proper scale of payments for
those who have been or may be here
after thus relieved from active service
of the Government.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Basic Economies.

What have you to complain about
with wheat at it's present price?"
Cost of livin' same as usual" an
swered Farmer Corntossel. Every
thing else is bringin' high prices, and
while a bushel of wheat sounds kind
O. big in money, it amt so much when
you come to figure it in terms of
wages for the hired man and gasoline
for the fifvver.''
Evening star., 1925-01-18

portion, and this unpleasant effect is
heightened rather than subdued by
the strong contrast presented in the
alternate lines of light granite and
red brick, as well as by the almost in
Vulnerable windows with which its
walls are pierced. The same criti-
clsm applies, though in less degree.
to the new Tribune Building, or so
much of it as will proba bly, he built.
If the whole structure shall ever be
completed. as originally designed, the
effect will be more pleasing than
now, but at present its height in toe
great for tts breadth and d&pth<S
Evening star., 1925-01-18

Farmers are not doing the hilarious
template further profits when Muscle
Shoals production makes fertilizer
cheap. 1t is to be feared that the
farmer has become a constitutional
skeptic.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

Italy has seen in times ancient and
modern about all the different kinds
of politics possible, and Mussolini,
while not going to the extremes of
Borgian perfidy, apparently under
stands every move in the game.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

When a dancer sets up as his rival
sn calling attention to the advantages
of Florida real estate, William Jen-
nings Bryan must perceive that his
greatness as a publicity expert is not
without rivalries
Evening star., 1925-01-18

A grand opera star says he does not
enjoy singing over the radio. Doubt
less he feels that much is missing. The
microphone cannot throw a bouquet
or shout bravo amid ecstatic hand
clapping. Money means much, but
temperament still asserts its demands.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Nfanpower.

There are men to think;
There are men to speak.
There are men to blink
And wisdom seek.
There are men to bluff
In a mimic show
But never enough
To shovel snow.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
When Composing Speeches.

Have you studied psycho-analysis? ?"
NO" answered Senator Sorghum.
Il hope it never becomes a political
issue. I'm tired Of having to stop and
look in the dictionary to see how long
words are spelled"
Evening star., 1925-01-18

1t begins to look as if the versatile
Col. Bryan contemplated abandoning
his high brow editorialistic efforts anG
becoming a contributor TO the comic
section.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Diplomatic Condensation.

How oft some ponderous document
Which measures off a yard or two
When boiled down to it's clear intent
Is just another I. o. T.,
Evening star., 1925-01-18

Paris reports wave OF insomnia
These reports may be due to the sleep
less nights passed by sightseeing
tourists.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

Agriculture is now 80 prosperous
that Secretary Hoover is inclined to
think it needs no immediate assist
ance from him.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

The country will insist on growing
and increasing its governmental needs
regardless of the difficulty, already
great, in reducing expenses.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

Jud Tunkins says the law of aver
ages doesn't hold up. You get valen-
tines only one day in the year, but the
cops leave notes in f1ivyers the en-
tire 365.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

The historians may continue to dis
cuss the identity of the winner of the
World War, but what we want to
know is: Who, if anybody, won the
Chinese war?-Asheville Times.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
The RESIGNATION.

Bring forth the photograph he took
When he appeared in style
And private business first forsook-
The one that wears a smile.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

''Dar wouldn' be so much objection
to de man dat talks too much.' said
Uncle Eben, IF he didn' insis' on so
many other folks wastin' time SOS to
be de aaldisnce.a
Evening star., 1925-01-18

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
TO the use for republication OF all dis
patches credited to il or not otherwise credited
IN this paper and also the local news pub
lished herein. All rights OF publication of
special spatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1925-01-18

Zero is something to quarrel about:
ones right TO the Russian throne
Balttmofe Evening suAx
Evening star., 1925-01-18

The Evening Star. with the Sunday morning
edition is delivered by carriers within the
city at 80 cents per month; daily only, 40
cents per month; Sunday only, 20 cents per
month Orders may bc sent by mail or tele-
phone Main 5000 Collection is made by car
Tiers a the end Of each month.
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Fifty Years Ago
i'm The Star

Half q century ago Washington
was annually the scene of meetings
W., Of organizations work
woman ing for the extension of
Suffrage. the FRANCHISE to the
January, 1875. such a meeting was
held here, that of the National Wom-
an Suffrage Association. headed by
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady
stanton. This organization was dis
tinct from the American Woman Suf-
frage Association, in which Lucy
Stone Blackwell, Julia Ward Howe
and Mary A. Livermore were promi-
nent. In the report Of the meeting
printed January u. 1875. is an ac-
count of the difference between these
two organizations, which were work
ing to the same end but along some
what different lines, just as in
later years, on the eve of the adoption
of the seventeenth amendment to the
Federal Constitution, two associa-
tions were formed. likewise working
by different methods TO the same end.
The Stars report noted that Miss An
thony had announced that speakers
at the meeting must confine them
selves to the one subject-votes for
women and that all attempts TO di-
vert discussion to side issues would
be promptly and sharply rebuked.
Notwithstanding Miss Anthony's
announcement, DR.. Mary Walker made
her usual attempt to talk on dress
reform. Mrs. Stanton, who was pre-
siding, tried to check her, whereupon
the pioneer of feminine trousers per-
sisted. The audience divided in SEN
tirnent as to whether or not she
would be permitted to speak, and
finally when Miss Anthony came to
the rescue with her customary vigor
and put the question to those present
the decision was overwhelmingly in
favor of eliminating the doctor"
The next day, according to The Star
of January 15, DR.. Walker again un-
dertook to speak and caused a con-
siderable turmoil. She did, however,
later have her innings by occupying
the platform during a recess of the
meeting. when she read a lengthy
paper entitled The Growing Consti-
tutional Argument"
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Rate by MaiI-PayabIe in Advance.
MnrNlnnd md NIrCInin.
All Other States

Daily and Sunday.1 VI, S1O.0O;1 mo-, S5c
Daily only .....1 VT, S7.00;1 mo-. soc
Sunday only ....I yr, $3.00;1 mo-, 25C
Evening star., 1925-01-18
Fifty years
garding legal
Execution of
Criminals,

Criminals. nreme snt oF +ha ne iaw su
from becoming a spectacle. In The Star
of January Is, 1875, is the following:
I'm Maryland and some other States
the execution of criminals for capital
offenses is a public affair and is al
ways certain to attract large and ap-
preciative audiences. The lame, the
halt and the blind. the young and the
old, the rich and the poor flock to
the place of execution in crowds, on
horseback and on all kinds of We
hicles, and the occasion is made a
gala day. 'Butchered to make a Ro-
man holiday was once the correct
thing to characterize the gladiatorial
combats in the Seven-hilled city, and
one is forcibly reminded of the ex-
preston when reading accounts of
the scenes of public executions in the
nineteenth century. In the States
where executions are conducted in
private the law limits the attendance
to the sheriff and assistants, few
officials and reporters of the press.
The pressure for tick cts of admission
however, is generally so great that
the officer in charge of the execution
| is frequently induced TO evade the
law by deputizing a large number of
applicants as his assistants. This
practice, It would appear Gov. Tilden
of New York, is inclined to break up,
as he has called the attention of the
sheriff of Queens County, whose un-
pleasant task IT is to work Off two
murderers on the 18th instant. to the
laws of the State bearing on the at
tendance of executions and states that
he shall expect him to rigidly enforce
them. The governor further says
that the appointment of special depu-
ties or other assistants will be re-
garded as an evasion of the statute.
and that the State, in providing for
the deplorable necessity of taking life
to expiate crime, intends that the dy
ing agonies of the criminal shall not
be exposed to public view or be made
the subject of idle and morbid Curl
osity."
Evening star., 1925-01-18
,Thc Isycning stnr Newspaper Company

Business Ofice, 18th st. and Pennsylvania Ave
New York Office 1lO East And 81.
Chicago Office: Tower Building.
European Office: 10 Regent st. London. England.