davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
The Crime Commission

President Hoover finally has named his special
commission to investigate crime and law enforcement
The results merit the delay 1t is the whole an ex-
ceptionally able body.
Many member are lawyers Of national and even
International reputation The first thing that will
strike every one about these we-known members are
that they are not of the fanatical type that they do
not this most complicated of problems in terms of
black white that they neither rabid vets nor
rabid drys.
If any OF the lesser known members of that
undesirable type, probably the President has not dis
covered it. Anyway, if there is such minority, it
presumably will not be able to dictate the procedure
and finding of the commission majority.
The two most illustrious names are Dean Roscoe
Pound Of Harvard law school and Newton D. Baker
of the greatest lawyers the country has produced
AS municipal administrator cabinet officer, and
chairman of the national crime commission Mr..
Baker has brilliant record
Judge William s. Kenyon was an able and pro-
gressive senator from Iowa before he retired from
political life to the bench
No one can doubt the ability of George w. Wick
ersham former United States attorney general 1t is
significant that a speech by Mr. Wickersham recently
criticisng the Jones fve-andt law as too extreme
which vigorously resented by certain professional
drys, did not prevent the President from choosing
him to head the commission.
President Ada L. Comstock of Radcliffe college not
only gives women formal representation on the COM
mission but probably will see the problem through
the eyes of the college students of the land.
Others such as Frank J. Loesch vice president of
the Chicago crime commission, will contribuate from
their technical experience in similar Investigations.
The Presidents idea of the work of this commits
sion has changed somewhat since he first expressed
it during the campaign The purpose has evolved
from the original prohibition inquiry into general
investigation of legal institutions and their opera
ton.
But do not understand that the investigation is
to be limited merely to the mechanics of law enforce
ment, which would be quite inadequate to meet the
serious national situation outlined in the Presidents
message to congress- The of the trouble must be
uncovered If that is done need fear that pro-
hbition conditions will be ignored by the commission
Personnel of the Hoover commission is as adequate
for such difficult task doubtless, any group
which could be found with the ability and the
willingness to serve.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
"A d65 4 n !! 35:11F7I7l Il
ANNIVERSARY
4144444zz29fItt4tttt1
GRANT is NOMINATED

NEW presidential candidates in
L the history of any political party
have been more certain of election
than the man nominated for his
first term by the Republicans
sixty-one years ago today-General
u. S. Grant.
The country was in the mood TO
elect a military hero and in addl-
ton to this, Grant was helped by
the fact that he had been a Demo-
crat until a short time before the
nominating convention, when he
quarreled with Democratic Presl-
dent Johnson.
The closing sentence in Grants
letter Of acceptance: "Let us have
peace" was a powerful vote-getter
during his campaign. The country
believed that he could bring har-
mony between the north and the
south.
Grant carried twenty four
states, six of them in the south.
Seymour, his Democrtic opponent,
carried eight states, two Of them
in the south.
Three southern states did not
vote because they had not been
readmittted to the Union with full
rights.
General Lee, Grants chief mill
tary foe. was president Of WASH
ington college, in Virginia wash
ington and Lee university, when
Grant was nominated.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Diplomacy Wins

Settlement of the Tacna-Arica controversy be-
tween Chile and Peru. after nearly fifty years OF
fruitless pickering, is triumph for professional
diplomacy Such success is especially encouraging at
this time when professional diplomacy is not gener-
ally effective nor popular in the world.
This old dispute over two provinces involving pro-
found feelings OF national pride and attended by ex-
ceedingly complex technicalities, previously had
failed Of solution both by political and judicial
methods.
ArbitraI proceedings conducted by the President
OF the United States before the extension of Ameri
can diplomatic good Offices, had reached hopeless
impssse The attempt to hold fair plebiscite. under
General Pershing and then under General Lassiter
had failed.
When Ambassador carlos Davia, diplomat-editor
of Chile came to washington in 1927 MS government
sent to the steamer for his two large trunks of
ofhcial documents relating to the Tacna-A-ica dis
pute The trunks never we're opened.
Davila had another method He decided to cut red
tape. He expounded and support for the idea
that the best interests OF both Chile and Peru de-
manded peaceful settlement, and that the true sem
timent in both ,ntres would respond to overtures
based on plain friendship
Davila received full cooperation from Secretary
Kellogg and the Peruvian ambassador Herman
velarde an elderly and sagacous diplomat whose
tactfuneSS had tded many crises in the Tacna-
africa situation In Lima. American Ambassador
Moore. like Davila diplomat editor had innpor
tsnt part in encouraging resumption OF diplomatic
relations between Peru and Chile.
The visit last winter OF President-Eect Hoover to
Lima and Santiago confirmed the bent toward
Chilean Peruvian good will. and enabled the negotia
ton TO develop along careful diplomatic lines.
Chile has been in possession of all the disputed
territory.
Under the settlement, Chile retains the prov
nce OF africa and Peru gets the province OF Tacna;
Peru also receives the waterfront wharves railway
station at the port OF africa and gets S600O0OO from
Chile. The new boundary will be drawn in a man
ner to give the city of Tacna mountain watershed.
a difficult point in previous negotiations.
Bolivia is not party to the present settlement
She nov has freedom of the port and her own Gus
toms house at the port of africa.
The United States government took care to avoid
a settlement which would raise any new diplomatic
obstacles to Bolva aspiration for territorial outlet
to the sea.
Presumably Bolivia VII formulate policy looking
toward direct negotiations. either with Chile or
Peru. for corridor through the territory obtained
by one or the other. AS in the of Chile
Peru, the outcome OF such policy will depend largely
on the temper of the countries concerned as well
the more evident economic exgencies involved.
Meanwhile the governments Of Chile and Peru
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21

these f1ve-No therefore in the complete LISTS the
strato-cumulus
1t is described officially as Large unlpy masses or
rolls of dull gray Clouds frequently covering the whole
sky. especially in winter. Generally Strato-cumulus
presents the appearance of gray layer broken up
into irregular masses and having the margin
smaller masses grouped in 1ocks like alto-cumuluS
Sometimes this cloud-form has the characteristic
appearance of great rolls of clouds arranged in para
lei lines close together The rolls themselves are dense
and dark but in the intervening spaces the cloud is
much lighter and blue sky may sometimes be seen
through them
The strato-cumulus does not generally tend to
i This 1d5' cloud vytes Dr. w j. Humphreys of the
United States weather bureau. "of which there are
several forms ranging from the stratus OF uneven
density through the great parallel rolls to the sheet of
well-nigh diScrete cumuli, is always due to vertical
convection.
The more nearly discrete or separate masses are
produced by the rising of air while the rregu-
lareS in the stratus form seem to be caused III large
part at least by mechanical turbulence.
The shallow depth and broad expanse OF the
-cumuus often is due to everything layer Of
air Of such temperature that the rising coudladen
column not pass through it. and hence is forced
to spread out much rising smoke in room spreads
out under the ceiling"
The strato-cumuus cloud will possess mean
ing for the amateur weather observer If he keeps this
picture of its formation in mnd-the rising currents
of warm air cooling to the point where the water
vapor in them condenses, then being churned up by
irregular currents of air and spreading out horizon
tally under a layer Of air through which it can not
penetrate,
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Black PuritanS

A S yet I have seen nothing in
N the Negro press about Scarlet
Sister Mary" Comment in this
quarter may not be universally
favorable, because the heroine of
the book is not set down by the
white author as a conventionaIly
moral person.
Even the Negro in America has
not escaped the blight of native
Puritanism. He, too, has fallen for
the heresies propounded by Canon
Chase and other censors, who hold
that sex is something which hap
pens when two high-minded people
meet in some high-minded place for
high-minded purpose.
Obviously, no literature could come
of age without recognition of the
fact that the novel is a form bear
ing no relationship whatever to the
tract.
Now that the Pulitzer prize has
gone to Scarlet Sister Mary" the
book will be under closer scrutiny
that before 1t will be surprising
if no attack is made upon it as a
most immoral story. Sister Mary
is frankly a sinner.
Copyright. 1929, by The Tines
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
War Spirit Lives

IF private capital had done as
l. much as taxpayers have to pro-
mote aviation. it would be in good
deal better shape.
This is especially true with regard
to dirigibleS.
War, however, still calls forth the
best there is in us.
We are willing to spend money
and take chances in preparation for
a possible crash, when We hesitate
to do so in peaceful pursuits.
AS Senator Borah says we still
are laboring under the spell of world
conflict
The glory of the battlefield still
appeals to us more strongly than the
glory of living in peace.
Seldom does an airplane rise or a
dirigible make a successful fight but
what we picture it in terms Of strife
This is a good thing, in so far as
it makes us realize the destructive
possibilities that we have called in
being.
1t is a bad thing in so far as we
are intrigued by their devilish
power.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
SUPERST77ON5-No 46--
Illness Believed Related to Moon

I floods, pale in her anger, washes
all the air and that rheumatic dis
eases do abound when the moon is
full.
AS Is probably clear to every one,
there is not the slightest reason SCI
entifcally established to believe any
Of these notions.
It is not true that a stye will be
cured by magic any better on the
first night OF the new moon than
at any other period The moon is
the supreme mystery to the mind
Of the superstitious
1t is associated with the sexual
interests of human beings, since the
moon always has been called the
queen mother and the wife Of the
sun.
In Greenland it is thought that
when there is an eclipse war is
going on between the sun and the
moon, SO the men hide when the
sun is eclipsed and the women hide
when the moon is eclipsed
The greatest folly Of mankind is
the fear of natural phenomena. 1t
is better to understand than to be
afraid
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21

can proceed in all health and
strength when no attention is paid
to things which lie just outside the
window. We have gravely neglected
our own backyard
After reading Scarlet Sister
Mary" one can only wonder in a
beWildered way just why the rich
ness and color Of Negro life has been
so largely neglected as a field for
fiction.
We have been hospitable to all
foreign writer's, including the Scandi-
navian, who made tales out of the
drama of familiar things Now
something may be done to restore
the balance of trade for Scarlet
Sister Mary" is a book to be sent
out to the world
1t truthfully can be said that this
particular novel could not have been
written by anyone who was not
deeply familiar with the group
whose doings she chronicles.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
EIERY many times the announce

VERY many times the announce
ment of the Pulitzer award has
loosed a controversy about the novel
chosen. 1t should not be SO now, for
Julia Peterkin's Scarlet Sister
Mary" is notably of the first rank.
1t does not seem to me that any
other American novel of the year
can be mentioned after it unless
there is a pause for counting ten or
more.
The writer's of America begin, I
think, to lift a reproach which has
hung heavily upon national letters
until recent years. They have at
last succeeded in getting roots into
our own soil.
Sinclair Lewis, Villa Gather, Du-
bose Hayward and Mrs, Peterkin
have taken themes which distinctly
belong to US The last two noveliStS
in particular have tapped the rich
theme of Negro life.
Never was there such waste Of
any theme. Until the turn of the
century. both on the stage and in
stories the Negro never appeared ex-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Whn Won the War?

Now comes the supreme court OF the United
states with decision that for the purpose OF
fixing rates for railway transportation, the IN
torsfate commerce commission must consider
he |reproduction" value
The same precedent, of course will be fol-
lowed by every state commission regulating
other utilities.
Unquestionslly the decision will furnish an
excuse, if not a reason, for giving to the insult
Interests exactly what they ask for in the merg
ing Of various suburban trolley lines, electric
properties and small utilities into one large
company
The Germans who are fighting for reduc
ton Of rcparations which they must pay for
their war guilt will be interested in this de-
cision. It may make them feel happier about
their payments. For if they lost the war, they
can also know that other nations also did not
win.
For the practical result of this decision is
the forcing of the payments by utility patrons
Of the excess value added to the plants by the
war.
It was the war which showed prices of steel
and copper and labor up to new high levels
from which they have not receded.
1t is true that most of the utilities were rum
ming before the war and that the large proper
ton Of their plants were constructed with
cheap materials.
Under this decision they will proceed to
collect on new price levels. In other words they
capitalize the tragedies of the nation by CON-
pelling rates of payment that will furnish divi-
dends on new prices, not on new expenditures.
Perhaps no other decision so clearly Illus
trates how little chance the people have against
privilege and regulated business.
For years before the war, Senator La Fol
ette, who was the father of the idea of regula-
ton of all utilities, fought to force railroads
and other utilities to earn on their present
valuation not upon their capitalization.
In those days that would have meant
cheaper prices for the people. The utilities
preferred. and obtained, a rule under which
the capitalization and allowances for good WILL
rather than reproductive costs, was the basis.
But the war changed things and now it is to
the benefit of utilities to collect on reproduction
costs rather than on any invested capital. And
the supreme court comes easily and readily to
the La Toilette theory which once re-
garded as anarchy.
This may be worth remembering if another
war threatens.
1t never pays.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21

I tons Of Germany it is believed that
if child is born at a time when
the moon is on the insrease the
next child in the family will be a
boy. but if on the decrease it will
be girl.
This superstition is, of course, di-
rectly related to the idea Of right
hand and strength being associated
with the boy, left hand and weak
ness with the girl.
Even the old scientific physician
Galen thought that animals born
during the full Of the moon we're
strong. 1t is related that the phi
losopher FraIcis Bacon Lad an at
tack of apopleXy when the moon
became eclipaed.
Furthermore, superstitious magic
figured the duration OF the disease
according to the phase Of the moon.
According to the astrologers, the
moon is a moist planet associated
with rainfall the circulation of sap
in plants and the movements of
various fluids in the body,
Indeed, there is a poem to the ef-
feet that the moon, governeSs of
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
IT SEEMS TO ME By H B1ovS

cept as a farcical or a wholly Senti-
mentalized figure.
The old Southern boast, Down
here We know the Negro" certainly
was not made good in literature.
The South Wakes Up
DUT even MI. Mencken must ad-
- NIT that the south begins to
bestir itself, No longer may it justly
be described as the great American
dessert in cultural matters.
The new south has opened its eyes
and become aware of sights and
sounds. Indeed, it has even gone
to the amazing length Of discovering
that the Negro has a soul.
No critic has any right to say to
an author, or a group of authors
you must deal with this particular
theme and no other"
Nor is there any reason why real
lists and romanticists should behave
toward each other like Democrats
and Republicans. In any healthy
national literature there must be.
many masters.
Still, the growth Of letters never
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Quotations of N0tabLeS

TN view of the fact that the over
l. supply of teachers seems to be
nation wide, I can see no good rea-
son why any state should allow local
units to set standards, examine and
certificate teachers. 1t is not fair
to children to permit local authori-
ties to certificate a poorly trained
person when trained teachers are
available. DIR. w. j. Cooper, com
missioner Of the bureau OF educa-
ton. department Of the interior.
r
Il consider the most diplomatic
feat 1 ever accomplished was when
I eyaded drinking champagne with
the Governor of San Andres -
Clifford Pinchot, former Governor of
Pennsylvania.
The strongest and most import
ant organization in America dealing
with aviation is the Society of Auto
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21

motive Engineers, and it is not UNI
likely that aeronautical engineering
in the future may become the major
activity of the society. Professor
j. H. Parkin, director of aeronautic
and research work at the University
of Toronto.
There haven't been more than
ten great pictures made since the
days OF magic-lantern slides. I'd
name EN-, only I hate to talk about
myself. "-Charl1e Chaplin. AN
swers. London)
"AI Smith, disastrously defeated,
is experiencing an unpleasant truth
he has hitherto known only acad-
emically: that the leader who has
lost rarely continues to be a leader"
Henry F. Pringle. Outlook
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Have Huge CaDaCitv

THE two English dirigibles. one
4 of which probably will be seen
in this country before the end of
the present summer. will have a
capacity Of 100000 cubic feet of
Gas and a lifting power of 152 tons.
This will make it possible to carry
leo passengers. an adequate crew
anG considerable freight.
The Graf Zeppelin. which crossed
the ocean last year, and which now
is undergoing repairs in France, is
considerably smaller.
The Los Angeles, which also
crossed the ocean has been in COM
mission several years, has visited
most every part of the United States
as we'll as the West Indies and has
proved the lasting qualities of the
dirigible
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Great Leap in 26 Years

TT was only twenty-siX years ago
4 that the first man succeeded in
getting off the ground in heavier
than air machine.
Six years later another man flew
over the English channel.
Then came the war, with its slim
ulating urge, producing such pilots
and speed as had not been con-
Sidered possible.
A year after the war ended, two
Englishmen crossed the Atlantic and
in 1927 Lindbergh made his immor-
tai solo flight
Now they are refueling air planes
while aloft, staying up a week, and
ViSioning the possibility of a nom
stop circuit of the globe.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Airnnen Jeer at Death

THOSE who think the game has
IL grown monotonous. that civili-
cation is barren Of adventure, that
life has lost its kick, are merely az
fiicted with water-tight minds.
Not only is there romance left,
but peril enough to give it flavor.
Of those who have tried to imi-
tate Lindbergh a majority are at
the bottom of the sea.
Aviation has taken a greater toll
of human life in proportion to those
who have tried it than most human
ventures, yet the boys of this gen.
Grafton are putting it over.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Let Government Do II

ENOUGH has been done, however,
~ to prove that the dirigible is
worth perfecting from a commercial
standpoint, but our so-called leaders
OF industry seem to prefer that gov
ernments do the necessary expert
menting in the name OF war.
England is about to complete two
700-foot dirigibles, while the United
States has ordered two of an even
larger size
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
BY DIR. MORRIS FIsHBEIN

Editor Journal Of the American Medical
Association and Of Hygeia, the
Health MAGAZINE.
TN primitive magic not only we're
l. things unseen and spiritual as
sociated with influences over the
human body, but particular value
was attached TO signs taken from
the heavenly bodies,
The waxing and waning of the
moon gave rise to innumerable be-
liefs, as was mentioned in previous
articles in this series.
The sowing of crops, the building
of houses, the marrying of wives
and the birth Of children we're def
nitely related to changes in the
phases of the moon.
In India it long has been be-
lieyed that cholera breaks out when
there is a change in the moon from
the crescent to the full moon. In
Cornwall it is believed that it is
unhealthy for the child to be born
in the dark interval between the old
ano the new moon.
In Ireland and in various por-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
Daily Thought

But We shall die like men, and
fall like one of the princes
Psalms 1871.
WE look at death through the
w cheap-glszed windows of the
flesh. and believe him the monster
which the cracked and fawed glass
represents hiTn.-Lowell.
Were John and Sidney Drew, the
actors, related?
They we're brothers.
Where can a letter to Pola Negri
be addressed?
Paramount F'amous-Lasky Studios,
545l Marathon street, Hollywood,
Cal.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21

ideals and opinions expressed
in this column are those of
one of America most inter-
esting writers, and are pre-
scented without regard to their
agreement or diSa
with the editorial attitude Of
this aper.-The Editor.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-21
0irigibIe Gives Variety

DROGRESS of the dirigible lends
4 variety to aviation.
Though incapable of the speed of
airplanes and calling, perhaps, for
less personal heroics, the dirigible
promises more in safety and relia-
oil1ty when it comes to long jour-
neys.
The R-34, Los Angeles and Graf
Zeppelin have crossed the Atlantic
without mishap.
In spite of the latter's failure on
her latest attempt, there is small
ground for skepticism as to the fu-
ture Of these power balloons.
Their cost, more than anything
else, has held progress back.
While willing to spend ten, twen-
ty, or even fifty thousand dollars
on aviation, men hesitate at three or
four million