davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Veteran Criminal Studied
AS He Leaves Prison for Farm

More than half century ago prison
doors changed behind Jesse Pomeroy.
notorious Massachusetts, criminal at the
age OF II, shutting him from the out
side world. After So years he Travelled
again the highways. being transferred
from the prison in Charlestown to the
State farm at Bridgewater, and was
rendered speeches. with amazenert at
the changed aspect Of the country he
had once known. Discussing the case,
some observers suggest that he has Suf-
fered a greater penalty than death.
Things that are commonplace to us
in our modern civilization were as
strange to this man as If he had sud-
denly been transported from another
planet" is the way the Flint Daily
Journal describes his reactions. stating
that he had been as isolated from the
world as II he had been a Robinson
Crusoe." Or, as the st. Louis Globe
Democrat phrases it, while this con-
sion. like that Of the Man With the
Hoe was leading a life in which he
would have been startled by slight
alteration in the masonry Of his cell or
change In the coarse fare supplied him
for breakfast, revolutions have taken
place in almost all things outside his
place of confinement"
The st. Paul Pioneer Press observes
that "Pomeroy might have lived a cycle
IN the Europe Of yesterday and been less
amazed on his return. Life and death
would have made great gaps. but the
material, industrial and mechanical
progress of the last so years in America
would not have been there to lay hold
on him and make him a wordless Won
derer. helpless before q new earth that
man has made in half a century"
Yet many things in the world are not
changed. as the Birmingham News-Age
Herald points out, saying: But that
world. 50 strange to him, had changed
only In part. Across It still falls the
black shadow Of hate and greed and
other evils. Today men kill and are
Killed, just as In the days of the con-
vict's boyhood. Justice is still battling
with murder and theft and other crimes
against society. In some respects the
world has changed. In others 1t re-
mains the same. The contest between
right and wrong, good and evil. will 60
on until the last syllable of recorded
time"
"The case of Jesse Pomeroy, life
termer In Massachusetts, prison. causes
some to wonder il capital punishment
isn't more humane than some other
methods" says the Lincoln State Jour-
nal. which refers to the prisoner having
been confined 50 of his "a years. He
was In solitary confinement for more
than 20 years." explains this paper, as
1t cites the fact that This reason has
given way under the strain. If this man
could have known his fate, be would
probably have preferred the hanging to
which he was first sentenced"
Many penologists," in the opinion Of
the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, will agree
that It would have been better II Jesse
Pomeroy had been executed in 1876.
His long life in prison has
been q marked disadvantage to the
prestige Of criminal law in America"
AS the Morgantown New Dominion puts
it. "his life has been more than wasted.
He actually died So years ago, yet his
body has continued to live and his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Great Universities
Are Growing Greater

From the Charlotte IN. CO. News.
While almost all the small colleges
are struggling for breath and fighting
with their backs to the wall for financial
sustenance, the great colleges continue
to become greater.
Yale received in gifts during the past
year $4,000, 900, and Harvard went that
mark better by having $13,50o.000
dumped over into its resources. One
reason. of course, that the outstanding
institutions compel attention from the
rich alumni is that they are going and
growing concerns. Men do not want to
invest their money In anything that
does not hold its head up and indicate
that 1t has determination and persever-
ance to live.
Furthermore. an explanatory fact In
such cases is that these larger fnstitu-
tions number among their alumni the
men of America Of great wealth. On the
other hand, few rich men send their
sons to the small colleges. For some
reason or other, they prefer the glory
and prestige that come from mere big
ness and bulk. A boy can get . suf-
ficient education at a small college and
one that will ordinarily stand him In as
good stead as that derived from the
mammoth university, much depending
upon the character Of the boy himself,
but, even so. the smaller institution Is
up against itsghen it comes to COM
handing patronage from men with
means.
So 1t comes to pass that this type Of
a college must depend upon the loyalty
of the smaller groups of limited means
for their continuation. Society can Ill
afford TO get along without them. They
produce men who usually make UP the
community leaders in all worthwhile ee-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
The German Republic.

The German Republic is ten years
old. 1t celebrated its tenth anniversary
on Sunday. The republicans" staged
demonstration in Berlin which in
dicated growing respect and affection
for the form of government which
came to Germany, not as an actual
result of internal upheaval, but rather
as the result Of a disastrous interna-
t!onai war, into which the German
people were led by former Kaiser Will
helm. The republican form OF govern
ment was expedient after the close of
the World War. 1t was quite clear
that the reigring family Of Germany
was not to be allowed to continue to
reign; that the Allies would never agree
TO such proposition. Indeed, there
was talk of dealing rather summarily
with the former Kaiser.
But while the republican form Of
government in Germany he's In a meas
ure been q symbol Of defeat, 1t has
taken on far more important meaning
for the people of Germany. Under
that form of government the German
people have arisen, have fought their
way out Of the slough. of debt. depres-
sion and despair which followed in the
wake of the war. They have built up
again their industries. They have
achieved notable successes In many
lines, with their lighter than-alr ships
and with sstheir new ocean shipping,
And undat. their republican govern
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14

ment the Germans are about 10 OBJ
tain o new adjustment Of reparations
which will benefit them and their coun-
try and at the same time they will
see their soil free of foreign armies.
This, provided The Hague conference,
now at work, is successful.
During the decade the German Re.
public has been in existence there have
been many predictions that it could
and would not live: that eventually
the country would revert to the old
monarchical form of government.
These predictions have been less fire.
quent and less insistent In recent years,
as the republican form of government
has manifested its benefits and has
become more and more firmly In
trenched in the affections Of the
people. Ten years is q brief period
In the life Of any nation. So far as the
established form of government Is con-
cerned, such a period might be deemed
merely an experimental period. 1t will be
recalled that France passed through sew
eral stages before the republican form OF
government became definitely estab-
lished In that country. There were
the first and second empires in France,
not to mention brief return of the old
reigning house of France to power,
following upon the French Revolution,
which set up a republican form of
government at the close of the eighteenth
century. To say now that Germany
may not revert to q monarchical form
Of government-perhaps limited
monarchy-that such q step would be
impossible, would be at least taking q
lot for granted. But this may be said
the German Republic Is more firmly
established than it has ever been and
there are strong indications that a
majority Of the German people are
devoted to 1t, and that only civil
war could overthrow 1t.
The German Republic Is subjected
to attacks from two angles-from the
Nationalists, who demand a return of
the old order, and from the Com
munists, who object strenuously to a
republican form of government. But
more and more the German people,
sound and constructive as they are,
have come to rely upon their republic,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14

the field Of maritime commerce. These
great passenger ships which drive across
the Atlantic Ocean today at tremendous
speed have as their destination Ameri-
can ports. They carry American pas
sengers in perhaps greater numbers
than those of any other nationality.
Too long this country was satisfied to
sit idly by while the ocean-going traffic
of this country was carried in the nier-
chant vessels of the British, the Ger
mans, the French, the Italians and
the Scandinavians.
The plight In which this country
found itself at the beginning of the
World War and later. when America
Joined the conflict, is not yet ancient
history. America needs its fleet OF
merchantmen, second to none. Ameri-
can commerce warrants 1t, and as a
measure Of national defense the con-
struction of fast ocean liners Is second
In importance only to the construction
of an adequate Navy. This is the time
to construct such q merchant Meet.
American capital seeks many fields OF
investment today. Shipping is one to
which 1t could well give greater atten-
ton,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Compulsory Taxicab Insurance.

The Public Utilities Commission ap-
parently is about to make another EFFORT
to force taxicab drivers to provide some
sort of liability for damage which might
be suffered by persons or property as
the result Of accidents.
Bafied In previous efforts by the
courts, which held illegal an order in
1925 compelling all operators or owners
of taxicabs not having assets sat1sfac-
tory to the commission to either file an
indemnity bond or take out insurance
the commission now has before 1t a
recommended ton by Earl v. Fisher, It's
executive secretary. that taxicab oper-
ators be required to show that they are
financially responsible before they are
issued licenses to operate public veh1-
Giles. The recommendation. which was
made after a conference with Corpora
ton Counsel Bride and his assistant
Robert r. Lynch. seems to be due to re-
ceive consideration. for the commission
ers announced they would postpone
definite action. awaiting written report
from Mr.. Bride outlining their turis-
diction.
The private operators In 1925 claimed
that thev could not afford the insurance
necessary. and that there was no more
reason for compelling them to insure
than for compelling owners Of private
automobiles to do so. Considering the
thousands Of miles run annually FOR
each taxicab. IL seems only reasonable
that an Independent operator before ne
sets himself ZIP in business to compete
with organized operators should at least
have financial assets sufhcient to pro-
tect the public from accidents which
might or might not be due to his care
lessness. and any automobile driver
knows that many of the professional
drivers of taxicabs are no respecters OF
persons or other automobiles in the
competition for fares in washington.
While the movement for compulsory
liability insurance for private automo-
bile drivers still is at q standstill the
powerful weapon which this new sug-
pestion seems about to put in the hands
of the utilities commission certainly
Is a step in the right direction. The
provision in the 1925 order which ex-
empted vehicles operated by Arm, as
ISOLATION or corporation having net
clear assets of 5000 for the first cab,
$1,000 for the first two cabs and $1,000
each for the next - cabs was declared
discriminatory by the independents. and
1t was on this point that the court night
was made. The exemption, Of course,
was on the grounds that these assets in
themselves represented cash operating
fund out Of which claims for damages
might be collected.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Lees Academy Career
Is Held Rich Field

From the Roanoke World-News..
Secretary Of War Good has approved
the suggestion Of Maj. Gen. william
Smith, superintendent Of the United
States Military Academy at West Point,
that large and appropriate portraits
of Gen. Robert e. Lee and of Gen. P.
G. T. Beauregard be hung in the cadet
mess hall of the Military Academy.
were superintendent Of the Military
Academy at West Point, and small pic
lures of each are already In place. Gen.
Smith considers, however, that portraits
Of a size similar to those of other past
superintendent should be substituted
and the work will be done at once ut
the expense Of the Military Academy.
The fact that Gen. Lee, when a colo
mel Of the United States Army, was. for
some years superintendent of the Mill
tary Academy at West Point is one that
has been largely overlooked by his biog-
raphers. There would seem to be a
field here for real historical study. 1t
would be interesting to know what gen.
eral officers in both armies were cadets
at the academy under Lee. and how
far the rather elderly Confederate COM
mander had the opportunity Of Judging
character and competence on the field
VI Udttic ny WIldL ne knew Oh CHeU WOIk
as cadets at West Point.
President Henry Louis Smith has
rendered a fine service in his study Of
the career Of Lee as president of Wash
ington College at Lexington in the five
years that followed the War Between
the States. DR.. Smith shows that as a
college executive Lee was far in advance
of his time, proposing to his board of
visitors school of Journalism, a school
Of business administration and other
forward steps such as the larger Ameri-
can universities have only adopted In
very recent years. AS DR.. Smith points
out, Lee was deeply impressed with the
more serious problems Of Southern re-
construction and with preparation Of
the leaders for the building UP OF the
new South.
It would be interesting to know what
policies he advocated and what in
struction methods he introduced while
superintendent Of the Military Academy
at West Point, and to have list Of
those who later achieved eminence in
the armies on both sides of the Civil
War, who were trained under. him In
the arts Of war.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
ANSWERS. TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

Take advantage Of this free service.
II you are one of the thousands who
have patronized the bureau, write us
again. II YOU have never. used the
service, begin now. 1t Is maintained
for your benefit. Be sure to send your
name and address with your question,
and .r inclose 2 cents IN coins Or stamps
ming Star Information Bureau, Frederic
J. Haskin. director. washington, d. c.
q. What Is the record size for brook
trout?-F. s.
A. The prize specimen weighed 141s
pounds, and was taken in the Nipigon
River In Ontario.
@. What became Of the old Berliner
Granophone Cow. r. M.
A. The manufacture and sale of the
gramophone was first conducted by the
United States Gramophone Co., followed
by the Berliner Granophone Co., and
then by the Victor Talking Machine
Co., which acquired its rights from the
former companies.
Q: Does it ever snow in Jerusalem'-
A. It does snow in Jerusalem, but In
frequently. The range Of temperature
=
The average annual precipitation Is 23
inches.
G.. What Is the Government tax on
cigarettes?-E. H. s.
A. The Government tax on cigarettes
is SO per 1000. or 6 cents per package
Of 40 cigarettes.
q. Where Is Greenwich Village in
New York City?-H. F.
A. Greenwich Village Is In the vtcin-
ity Of Washington Square. In the early
history Of New York q settlement was
made here, and many historic events
are recorded as having taken place in
the village. But the city finally alb
sorbed the village, and today it has no
official or formal recognition. Green
small section Of the city south of Four
tenth street and on the west of Fifth
avenue, bounded on the south by Fourth
street and on the west by Sheridan
Square and the streets in the neigh
borhood Of the Greenwich Village Thea
ter. The village Is famous because Of
its studios, small art shops. restaurants.
crooked streets. and its population of
artists, art students and writers.
9. Is pecan wood used for furniture?
A. The Forest Service says that
pecan wood is used very little for fIrni-
ture. 1t Is not in the same class with
oak and mahogany, but 1t is about the
same as gimwood. It Is used for mis-
cellaneous purposes where great strength
is needed.
Q. What is the leading French IL
brary?-E. W. P.
A. The principal library of France
and the largest library of the world is
the Bibliotheqde Rationale, Paris.
Q. Is 1t now possible to witness an
exhibition drill at Fort Myer?-F. B. S.
A. Exhibitions for the public at Fort
Myer nave been suspended, and viii not
be resumed until January, 1880.
@. How many species OF insects are
there?-D. W.
4. A. Estimates of the total number of
insects, described and undescribed.
range from 100000 to 10000, 900. More
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Farm Cooperation.

The era of cooperation has set in for
the farmer. Under the leadership OF
the Government. the farmers are plan
ming to pool their produce and to
market It through cooperative effort
on a tremendous scale. The latest
DEVELOPMENTS are the announcements
from New York of gigantic co-opera-
tive organization to handle fruits and
vegetables and from the Federal Farm
Board In Washington Of plans for CO.
operative selling agency for the wool
growers Of the country. Already, with
the aid and advice Of the Farm Board,
there is being created a $20.000,000
grain corporation to help the farmers
dispose in orderly fashion of their wheat,
corn and other grain crops. Not long
ago came from New Orleans reports OF
a project to organize national cham
Der Of agricultural co-operatives. with
a membership of 100000 farmers.
It has been the contention Of the
Hoover administration-and Of many
Of the farm organizations themselves-
that the Great problem which confronted
the American farmer was marketing.
Production on the farms Of this country
Is not a problem. The farmers know
how to produce, and with diligence can
do 50, far exceeding at times the de-
mand for their products. Their trouble
has laid In getting prices for their
products which compensate for their
investments and their labor. 1t does not
require great acumen to grasp the fact
that II tremendous amount of wheat
or beef or tomatoes is suddenly thrown
into the market. prices of that commod-
ity will be forced down Immediately.
Nor does it require great acumen to
understand that the farmer, standing
alone. Is easily the victim of the buyer
who knows that the farmer must sell
when his crops come in.
The purpose of the efforts now being
made by the Government and the
farmers themselves is to make 1t posi-
bic for the farmers to obtain more ade-
quate prices for agricultural products
than they have obtained in the past.
The farmers have suffered greatly in
comparison with the manufacturers and
with labor when it comes to selling.
They have to buy in a we'll organized
market. If the farmers now are to
benef1t by higher prices, some one must
pay those prices. 1t remains to be seen
whether the general consumer of food
stuffs Is to pay this bill or whether the
price increases are to be squeezed out
OF the middle man, who is reputed to
have grown fat at the expense of the
farmer. There is no question that there
has been a tremendous spread between
the price paid the farmer for his prod
uce and the price paid by the consumer
for foodstuffs.
But, whoever pays the price, it has
been clear for a long time that the
American farmer, generally speaking.
has been entitled to better deal. 1t
has been pledged the farmer by the
Republicans and the Democrats. The
Republican administration has gone
ahead with its plans to give the farmer
o chance to obtain better prices for his
products. The huge co-operatives al.
ready planned are in a measure its
answer to the demand for farm relief.
II they work successfully, the farm
problem, 80 far as the farmer as a class
u concerned, will be solved. No plan
can make every individual farmer a
success.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14

Republican leaders would like to have
this matter settled as early as possible,
there still appear elements Of delay.
Mr.. Ware was elected to the Senate In
1925. Unless something Is done before
very long. his term Of Office may ex-
pire without his ever having been seat
ed in the Senate. A majority of the
Senate has been hostile to his taking
his seat. Two actions against him are
pending, one a contest brought by his
Democratic opponent, William B. Will
son, and the other report of the old
Reed slush fund committee. declaring
he should not be seated because of cor
ruption and excessive expenditures of
money in the primary election. The
Senate has been loath to act In the
Ware matter because Of the serious ILL.,
ness of Mr.. Ware, and has sidestepped
the matter because 1t was agreed that
Mr.. Ware should be given an opport,iA
nifty to be heard in his own defense
before Anal action was taken. There is
still an element Of doubt. despite the
present reports, that Mr.. Ware will come
to washington TO make his appeal TO
the Senate In person In the December
session. II he doesn't the matter Is
likely to-Arag out still further.
= H -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14
Sea Supremacy.

The race for supremacy on the sea
takes a new turn. The Germans hav-
ing successfully launched and broken
al records for travel across the Attain
TIC with the Bremen. the pride of the
North German Lloyd Line, 1t is re-
ported from London that the White
star Line has accepted the challenge
ana Is planning a bigger and faster
ship In the hope Of wrestling the honors
IRON Its rivals. The British line has
gone 50 far as to scrap the 1.0o0-f
keel, already laid with much ceremony
Of the new Oceanic. When the new
vessel is launched 1t is to be longer and
faster still than the plans originally
called for. The White Star is to take
no chances of being unsuccessful in
lowering the record now set by the new
German ship.
When the United States Government
sold the United States Lines to private
American owners not so many months
ago, the contract provided that within
three years the ship owners should con-
SUI ASO WV ACn AuSV pdlSchSCk NCSSClb.
Already work has been under way for
some time on the designs for these ships
and the specifications for their con-
struction. They are to be built for
speed and comfort, and there is q gen.
eral understanding that their tonnage
will be approximately $4,000. The
Bremens tonnage is 10000. The Gov
eminent, under the contract with the
American owners of the United States
Lines, Is to aid in financing the con-
struction Of the two new ships to the
extent of IS per cent Of the cost.
30 Yankee shipbuilders and engineers
may be expected to enter the race. too.
for the supremacy Of the sea- suprem-
acy which was Americas before the
Civil War days, when Yankee clipper
ships sailed the seven seas and showed
their heels to the merchant fleets Of all
the other maritime nations. It is proper
that America should take Ito place Ia