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8
EVENING LEDGER PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1914-
w
EVENING fts LEDGER
PUBLIC LEDGER COMPANY
CYItUS II. K. CimTtS, PxntDCST.
Oeo. W. Och, Secretary; John C. Martin, Treasurer!
Chart II Lndlngton, r-hillp S. Collins, John B, Wa
nning, Directors. ,
EDtTOniAIj BOARD i
Crscs II. K. Ccntli, Chairman.
P. It. WHALEV ETgcutlve Editor
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No Grab This Time: The Light Is On
THE loan hill calls fr $400,000 with which
to purchase ground for the proposed Mu
nicipal Court buildings. Tha land Involved
Is scarcely one-fourth of what will bo neces
sary If the whole scheme for palaces at the
taxpayers' expense goes through, Some In
terested gentlemen arc looking for Invest
ments. There will bo rich pickings later on
If the city can be dedicated to this adven
ture In so dubious a manner.
There Is a smell of graft In the entire en
terprise. The drawing elsowhero In the
Evening Ledger tells the story. If there
wero any necessity whatever for abandoning
the oxcellent detention house already avail
able, If there were every reason for housing
the Municipal Court tn the manner purposed,
ordinary business sense would require con
demnation of the whole plot of land, not a
part of It.
There was hurrying and scurrying to and
fro to secure the one vote necessary to over
ride the Mayor's veto. The full strength of
Penroselsm was brought to bear In behalf
of this enterprise. Tho gang Is still at work.
It Is making ready to take Its profits. The
plum Is almost ripe.
It is a pity, with things going along so
nicely for tho gentlemen with Itching palms,
that publicity should suddenly throw Its
broad glaro on the whole Infamous con
spiracy. There Is nothing for those soldiers
of profit to do now, of course, except give up
In disgust. A footpad cannot work In com
fort when a policeman's gun Is against his
cheek.
Quick Revolution in Mexico
VILLA'S capacity aa a general is great.
There seems to bo no commander in
Mexico who can contend successfully with
him, nor any body of soldiers which can bo
-relied on to check his wild troops. Carranza
Is left In a position whero discretion will be
tho better part of valor. His courageous
stand against the demands of Villa marked
him months ago as a strong man, ono likely
to tako the bit In his teth and awo oven tho
former bandit Into compliance with civil
edicts. On tho other hand, Carranza, once
in the capital, has failed to distinguish his
personal fortunes from those of his country
He has not clung tenaciously to tho program
of the Constitutionalists. Thero is nothing
left for him to do but accept a compromise,
If Villa can be persuaded to yield at all now
that tho dlo has been cast. But this will not
be a long revolution. The result will be de
termined one way or the other within a fow
months at the most.
Another Hostage to Health
NO CITY can bo too well supplied with in
stitutions where the most expert medi
cal aid can be had at reasonable cost. The
hospital, especially when of modern construc
tion, pleasing to tha eye, as well as sanitary
and complete In all Its necessaries. Is vastly
superior to the averago home. It gives bet
ter service; it promotes medical progress;
and It Is cheaper In the end.
The proposed now hospital, for which funds
are already accumulating, is particularly de
sirable because of Its probable location. Situ
ated near the boundary line of West Phila
delphia and Delaware County, it will serve
a distinct district. The overcrowded Univer
sity Hospital, tho nearest to the east, is fully
four miles away, while thn closest Institu
tions In other directions are from five to a
dozen miles distant. In the case of many
accidents and suddn illnesses, speedy access
to a hospital mans everything.
Calm of Germany
A MEIUCA does not take kindly to militarism.
k xjl Prusslnnism or any of the relics of the
xarx Ages wnicn seem to nave drawn what
Is otherwise the most progressive, finely
cultured nation of Europe Into the black dis.
aster of war. That is only natural. Our
whole Inheritance 1b against it. We stand
with Schiller, Goethe, Beethoven; not Von
Kluk and Prince Frederick William,
But have we given Germany the henellt til
the doubt? Have we iielleved the best of the
land of tho great poets, philosophers and
musicians of the lath centjry" It Is only
now that sober second thought is beginning
to draw from our minds the animus that was
natural to the first news of war. We are
beginning to contrast the differing, spirits in
whlcn the combatants have undertaken the
struggle. We are learning more and more of
the petty hysteria that Ponded England and)
I 'ranee with confusion worse confounded. We
are discovering from returned tourist that it
did not extend to Qermany. It does much to
bring back sanity when learn that Berlin
proceeds on almost it normal course, with
theatres open, trams running, ready money
for all and no moratorium We must at least
respect such signs of civilisation in the face
of world-wide vituperation and hysteria.
hammer to the new artist with tho new
message. As an English critic has written:
Tn music, In literature, In the conduct of
life, our fathers used to build the tombs of
tho prophets whom their fathers had stoned.
Now, oven If a stono la picked Up, It drops
from the half-hearted fingers of the critic,
who docs not know whether In a few days
he will not have become a disciple.
Too hasty, too violent criticism has turned
asido many a sensitive artist from tho ac
complishment of great things. It has never
deterred tho "bounder." Tho creative llfo
of society depends on never-ending experi
ment. It must not be stilled; It must not bo
hampered. Accept or reject, but do cither
with consideration. That Is what the critics
have learned.
Highest Expression of Pctiroscism
THE highest expression of Penroselsm In
Pennsylvania Is the Organization, which
has been Impeding and hampering tho devel
opment of the city for so long that It has
come to bo accepted by citizens, who do not
realize what a pack of cards it Is, as a Phila
delphia Institution. There Is no apologist
for this machine except among Its beneficia
ries. Indeed, ordinary citizens elsewhere are
so satisfied with simple Americanism that
they would ridicule tho idea of substituting
for it in Washington the trickery nnd loot
which so often in Philadelphia have gone by
tho name of government. After an experience
with a mild form of Penroselsm In Wash
ington tho nation repudiated It utterly, it
will not now take any part In a conspliacy
to revive the political system Penroselsm
connotes. Pennsylvania can recover her
prestlgo nnd political Influence or she can
cut herself off from her sister States by lash
ing herself once more to a sinking and rotten
craft.
Put a Feather in His Cap
SENATOR BURTON can well afford to be
abused for his superb work In defeating
tho extravagant harbors and rivers bill.
Undoubtedly many meritorious items wero
lost, but tho country congratulates Itself
that still more unworthy ones were stricken
from the measure. It Is not a good time for
"pork." It Is a period when national econ
omy Is Imperative. Senator Burton pre
vented a raid on the Treasury. Put a
feather in his cap for It.
Stifled National Ideals
INTERNATIONALISM Is not a denial of
nationalism. On tho contrary, It presup
poses the free and unretarded assertion of
national powers and qualities. The race
hatred fostered In Russia, in German Poland,
In the Dual Monarchy, is merely the logical
result of the stilling of national ideals and
aspirations by oppression and despotism.
There can never be peace In Europe, there
can never be an end to race hatred, until
every people, from the weakest to the strong
est, is given an opportunity to assert its man
hood and In the light of freedom lay Its
contributions upon the altar of mankind.
Thero can be no Parliament of Man until
every nation learns tho lesson of democracy
and self-government In a parliament of Us
own. If out of the holocaust In Europe there
shall arise a redistribution of national ana
racial boundaries compatible with the aspira
tions of the people's yearning for emancipa
tion, the price of the achievement will not
have been too dear.
Making Ready the Leaven
THE cause may be war or bad business,
but tho colleges report record enrol
ments. Tho auditorium at the University
was crowded beyond its capacity during the
opening exercises. The State College was
compolled to refuse admission to more than
200 applicants. No country need despair
when Its educatlonat institutions are flourish
ing. They arc the true foundations of pos
terity and prosperity. They make ready the
leaven. Industrial depression Is always a
passing phase in the nation's progress, but
tho uplift from education is continuous and
without Interruption.
Hip Van Winkles in Citizenship
PRELIMINARY to the November balloting,
the better eloment In politics must always
face that deadly enemy, popular apathy.
Ironically enough, it is not the ranks of boss
Ism that are blind to public duty. Their
registration lists will be full on October 3
full to overflowing. It Is the weakly-good who
barter their privilege for ease.
In an effort to bring out a big registration
a table has been prepared of the number of
assessed citizens In 1913, the number who reg
istered on tho three allotted days and the
number a full third who failed to register
and who thereby cast a silent vote against
tha public good. If Penroselsm does not go
down to tlnal defeat this fall, the blame can
bo laid at tha comfortably closed doors of
tho somnolent third. Theirs is tho power,
and theirs may bo the guilt.
Rewards of the Commonplace
'"p YOU want to gn anywhere you have
JL to start from where you are," said Burko.
First steps are as important as last steps.
Starting from where one Is involves a right
understanding of tho commonplace.
A great motive Invests every deed with
significance. Murillo painted "Angelb'
Kitchen." Tho convent porter, faithful to his
humble duties, finds tho kitchen tilled with
angels, each doing a simple service. The
monk's vision was his reward for ordinary
work well done. Commonplace tasks become
great achievements when performed with all
our might. The soldier dying in the trench
is he not onqual tu the king on his throne?
To do common things in a perfect manner is
a truer sign of religion than to do great
things In an Imperfect manner. The do.
s pined ordinary relationships of life nvy bo
the rounds In the ladder that reaches to
the skies,
Caplions Critics of Capable Artists
ONLY in such small matters as wars and
the fate of races are the American peo
ple given to snap judgments Everywhere
else, even down tu fashions and the movies,"
they are chary of uuiok v it nutation. They
have learned their lesson A few Wagnera,
Ibsens and Darwms, mi-M-ided y trt-
umphant, have been enough. New it is thi ,
brave or the foolish njartolake the sledge j
PASSED BY THE CENSOR
The Organization looks a Ions way ahead
for its profits.
The area of Asiatic exclusion does oat in
clude toe theatre of war.
Probing Penroselsm may he a. good thing
for the Dnv rats, but knifing it would be a
better thing for the Republicans.
pirecior Harte, of the Bureau of Health,
wants $T,000 for the protection of the health
of the children of Philadelphia. To tha ordi
nary citlen this would seem to ho a more
important project than the building of
palaces for a Municipal Court that does not
need them.
The decision of the United States District
Court upholding the right of the city to i
maintain the Parkway route throughout the
mtlre tlintunre without taking immediate
ihm4l i" e.sblon of all the property in- I
volved is a teat triumph for the city. A
contrary decision would have required the
Immediate expenditure of a great amount or
a vastly larger Investment later on. i
METAPHYSICALLY spenklng, Britain's
mental viewpoint Is best reflected In tho
"ngony" or personal column of tho London
Times. At present, when tho land Is dis
tracted by war, the column is a veritable
mirror of human emotions, running tho
whole gamut, from pathos to bathos; from
lovo messages to the sale of an auto. Most
often, "Brown Eyes" appears:
1 LOVE you, speak. Yours, Brown Eyes.
The next day she spoko tlutsly:
BROWN EYES probably off shortly. Don't
phone me 116 till I let you know. B. E.
But sho was misunderstood evidently, as
the following notice Indicated:
BROWN EYES, for whom Is your message
niennt? Be as explicit as you can. B.
But "Brown Eyes" was not tho only one,
for there were messages from the front,
uncensored, nnd from tho heart:
LIEUTENANT J. McD. My heart Is with
you. JEAN.
ADA V. M. Am still well and unhurt, dear
est. Every one In best of spirits nnd very
confident. All my love. ARCH.
But wo are not through with women as
yet, though this one Is of a different type
perchance n militant:
DOCTOR'S WIFE, mlddle-nRcd, will under
take to perform the work of any tramway
conductor, coachman, shop assistant or
other married worker with children, pro
vided that worker will undertake to enlist
and flcht for his country In our hour of
need. All wages earned will be paid over
to the wife and family. Apply Mrs. Lowry,
1 Priory terrace, Kow-green, S. W.
Then comes a plea:
BOY, 7 months, son of ofllccr going to war,
wants some one, good family, to adopt
him; R. C. preferred. Box H 140, Tho
Times.
There are many others, some begging for
funds for hospitals; others asking help to
obtain military equipment. One, extra long,
denounces Englishmen for staying homo at
their work instead of getting themselves
carefully killed. And at the bottom of the
column we find:
TO THE CLERGY Sermons supplied each
week. New, fresh, simple and drawing
lessons from the present war. Send for
full list and specimen, sixpence. Ouston,
43 Pago street, Westminster, S. W.
ON THE Isle of Capri, belovod by the mur
dered Empress Elizabeth of Austria, Is
an inn some 60 years old, conducted under
the will of Its founder, an artist of the school
of intemperance and 111 fortune. The will
provides:
"Tho charge n day. two bottles of red
Capri wine included, shall never be more
than six francs ($1.14). If any artist is too
poor to pay he shall paint a picture on some
wall space, receiving all the accommodation
accorded thoso who pay tho highest price.
If any German artist shall come to tho Inn
he shall be accommodated and shall receive
tho amount of his fare to Germany upon his
promising never to return to Italy."
What grudge the proprietor had against
German artists is not known perhaps he
was ono himself!
AMACHINE politician and an independent
Xiwero discussing the Penrose candidacy.
"Don't you like the way I'm dealing with
tho question?" growled the machine man.
"I don't mind the way you deal," retorted
the independent, "It's the way you shuffle."
LORD KITCHENER'S press censorship is
mild compared to that exercised In 1663
by Roger l'Estrango in London. Being placed
in charge by the Government, he advocated
a reduction in the number of master printers
from 60 to 20; ordered periodic inspection of
print shops; closed their back doors and
issued an order that all printers guilty of
even the slightest infraction of his law bo
compelled to wear insignia of their disgrace.
But his special acrslon was the newspapers,
becaubc "reading of them makes the multi
tude too familiar with the actions and coun
sels of their superiors, too pragmatical and
cenborious and gives them not only an Itch,
but a kind of right and license to Le meddling
with the Government." He was so success
ful in suppressing newspapers that he elicited
the admiration of the Government, according
to contemporaneous accounts.
SARAH BERNHARDT Is raging at the
nefarious cjermuns, but never again will
she be as infuriated as she was once upon a
time, many years ago, when she visited
Vienna. At that time the Austrian capital
boasted of a wit named Saphlr, who edited
a weekly and wrote all of its contents. Then
Mme. Sarah was as thin as the proverbial
rail fenco. The day she arrived Saphir's
paper contained the announcement:
"An empty carriage drew up to the hotel
entrance and out stepped Mme. Bernhardt."
The actress threatened all sorts of dire
things, but the worst, was yet to come, for
when sho announced that she was learning
to play tho fluto Saphlr came back with:
"Mmo. Bernhardt Is learning to play tho
flute. In order to distinguish the instru
ment, sho has decorated it with a blue
bow."
But It was as an Impromptu wit that
Saphlr shone. Once, when he turned a street
corner he bumped into a stranger.
"Donkey!" thundered the stranger.
"And MY name Is Saphlr." replied the wit
politely bowing.
ONCE upon a time an ex-PresIdent of the
United States and tho Governor of a
Middle West State wore taking luncheon at
the old Astor Houso In New York city. The
country was anxious to know how tho ex
President, who was soon to be renominated,
stood on the froe sliver Issue. Hut tho ex
President was as silent as tho grave, so
far as public utterance was concerned-
Now it so happened that a reporter on an
evening paper had Just received his salary
and In a moment of mental distraction had
decided to eat at tho Astor House. Fate
willed It that ho sit at the table adjoining
tho cx-Presldont, to whom he was unknown.
"Suppose Congress should pass a free sil
ver bill, Mr- President?" asked the Governor-
Til veto It," thundered the ox-President,
bringing his 1st down on the table.
An hour later the newspaper on which tho
temporarily rich reporter worked had an
extra on the street, announcing the ex-Presl-dent's
attitude on the silver question
And to the day of his death, the ex-Presl.
dent suspected the Governor of abusing his
confidence.
BRADFORD.
CURIOSITY SHOP
"Pot wallopers." the Idiomatic- name foi
dishwashers, was originally applied to a class
forming the constituency of certain Engllt.li
boroughs, or housekeepers considered suf
ficiently well established to boll a pot within
the limits of the borough over a fireplace
trc ted In the open air.
The phrase, "who steals my purse, steals
train ' is not original with Shakespeare,
after oil It uiiturs originally In the "Hom
Ij Against Contention," set forth in the
um of Edward I, which says:
"For the one taketh away a man a good
name, tho othor taketh nway his riches, which
Is of much less valuo and estimation than his
good name."
Tho superstition that certain persons .have
tho "evil cyo" has Us strongest hold in Italy.
In Carnlola or Naples, or In fact In any part
of Italy. If you tell a farmer that his crops
are good or his cattlo fine, he will expecto
rato at your feet to avert tho evil. It Is said
that once, when driving through Rome,
Plus IX, ono of tho best beloved of modern
Popes, looked up nnd smllod at a baby In a
window. A llttlo while Inter tho nlirso
dropped the Infant to the strcot. Ever after
tho superstitious looked upon PIo Nono aa
the possessor of the ovll eye.
IN A SPIRIT OF HUMOR
The Point of View
Tho days are getting short and dark, and
winter time Is near,
Tho optimist Is filled with glco and Joy and
goodly cheer;
He does not have to swat the fly nor mow
tho weedy lawn, .
And he may sleep In peacefulness, for
'skecters now nro gone.
But, ah! tho peevish pessimist Is quivering
with Ire,
Ho must arise at 5 o'clock to fix tho furnaco
flro;
He has to shovel snow and fit tho doors with
weather strip,
And live In deadly terror of the llttlo bugs
of grippe. i
He hates tho work ho has to do, tho cold ho
does despise,
That thrills tho optimist to whom It's merely
exercise.
On the Right Track
A seedy -looking man walked slowly up to
tho farmhouse.
"Madam," he said to tho farmer's wife,
"may I chop some wood for you? I'll do It
for nothing."
The lady looked at him suspiciously. "Do
you bo necdln exercise?" She Inquired.
"Not exactly, madam. The only thing I
require Is that you let me sit by tho woodpile
and paint for a few hours. I am nn artist of
tho old school, and I have been commissioned
to do a futuristic Impression of an aeroplane.
I wish to uso the woodpile as a model."
Slaughter Ahead
And then Turkey may bo superstitious, In
which event there will be no Mohammedan
participation In the war until after Thanks
giving Day.
The Horrors of Peace
This Is a neutral land of ours;
No foe Is at our walls;
But spite of all our vaunted powers
Nlngara Falls!
Lines to the Hen
O most serene, O calm, prosnlc fowl;
O Hen, thy laziness makes millions growl.
O barnynrd bird, O dawdling, dowdy hen,
When shall tho laying mood seize thee again?
O loudly cackling and complacent bird.
By what elixir may thy blood be stirred?
Source of great wealth, so plain, so simply
plumed,
Each day we see cold storage eggs exhumed.
Each day we hear thy queer, discordant cluck,
But find no egg as motive no such luck!
And so a nation waits upon thy will,
Or with the grocer runneth up a bill,
For eggs "fresh laid" by thee and thine, O
Hen;
"Fresh laid," the grocer salth ae, but
when?
A Kara Avis
A worthy man
Is Thomas Woller;
He never wore
A rubber collar.
Boston Transcript.
A sturdy youth
Is Guy Geblatz;
He never woro
A pair of spats.
In 19 Fill in to Suit Belief
The woman presidential candidate had
Just concluded the keynote speech of her
campaign.
Hoarse cheers from the multitude shook
the rafters of the big auditorium, and a3
to the poor old welkin, It could ring no more.
An enthusiastic man. standing on a chair in
tho rear, threw away his hat and coat and
slapped a glum looking neighbor on the back.
"Some speech," ho yelled. "What?"
"Fair." said the glum mnn, "but not the
kind that mother used to make."
One to Carry
Teacher Who knows what triplets are7
Bright Pupil I know, miss; it's twins and
one left over. Boston Transcript.
"Vvlicre We Come In
When Europe wants peace nnd a meal
ticket sho will seo America first. Chicago
News.
All the Same in the End
Hotel Walter Come, sir, you really must
go off to bed, sir. 'Yawns.) Why, the
dawn's a-brenklng, sir.
Late Reveler Let It brenk nnd put It down
In the bill, waiter. London Punch.
An Ideal Match
"Are thoy well mated?"
''Perfectly. Sho's afraid of automobiles
and ho can't afford one." Detroit Free Press.
In The War Zone
"Venus do MHo is In tho Louvre's vaults
for fear of airship bombs." Naturally, being
unarmed. Wall Street Journal.
THE VILLAGE ORACLE
Old Dan'l Hanks he hays this town
Is Jest the best on earth;
Ho s'iys there nln't one, up nor down,
Thnt's got one half her worth;
He eas there nln't no other State
That's good as otir'n. nor near;
And all the folks Hint's good nnd great
Is settled right 'round here.
Says I. "D'Jer ever travel, Dan?"
"You bet I nln't!" says ho;
"I till you what! The place I've got
Is sood cnoush fer mo."
Ho says the other party's fools,
'Cause they don't vote his way;
Ho says the "feeble-minded schools"
Is where they ousht tor stuy.
If he was law, their mouths ho'd shut,
Or blow 'em all tor smash;
lie says their platform's notliln' but
A great bit,- mcis of trash.
Says I, "D'Jer ever read It, Dan?"
'You bet 1 alnt!" guys he;
"And when i do well, I tell you
I'll let you know, by gcei"
Kb s.nys Unit all religion's wrong,
'Cept Just what he believes;
Ho says them ministers belong
In Jail, the samo as tlilcvcs:
lie says they take tho blessed Word
And tear it all Co shreds;
He says their prenchin's Jeat absurd;
They're simply leatherlicad?.
Says I. "D'Jer oyor hear cm, nonf
"You bet 1 nln't!" says he;
"I'd never ko to hear 'em. no;
They make me sick ter see "
Some fellows icckon more or less
Before they apeak their mlp'l.
Anl sometimes ctlkcrlate er gutgs
nut thorn ain't Dan'l' kind.
The Lord knows all things, great or small.
With doubt he's never vexed;
He In his wisdom knows It ail
But Dan'l Hanki comes next!
Says I ' How d'yer know you re right?"
Hnv i" I K"'" s vs he
Well, now, I vum, I know, by gum!
I'm ll.'nt necauso I Le."
Joaepli c, Lincoln.
DONE IN PHILADELPHIA
MISS MARY E. PHILLIPS,, of Boston,
who has boon hero for a few days In
preliminary research for her biography of
Poo, told me that her life of Kenlmore
Cooper, which sho published last year, had
required Beven years of travel and research,
and that when tho book was ready for tho
press It had cost, on an average, more than
$21 a pago. As thero wero 400 pages In that
Very excellent biography of the author of tho
Leathcrstocklng Tales, tho reader who Is
quick nt figures will noto that It Is not
always a profitable undertaking to write n
book.
In the courso of a conversation I had with
Miss riillllps sho made soveral remarks
about Poo that surprised me. Probably the
most astonishing was that tho Poo family
had declared to her that of all tho biog
raphies of tho author of "The Raven" to bo
found on library shelves, not ono really was
nutheritlc. Evldontly, wo shall have to study
the subject all over again.
MISS PHILLIPS has mado authenticity
her standard In biographical writing,
nnd she assured mo that not only will she
bo able to corroct many errors and falBO
Impressions about Poo that have becomo
familiar, but at least one-quarter of her
book will be absolutely now.
Already she has traveled from Maine to
Virginia for materials. She has corresponded
with I do not know how mnny porsons who
arc believed to possess untouchod manu
script material, or pictures that arc un
known, but when I asked her when sho ox
pected to Issue tho book sho ropltcd that
Bhe would spend three years more on It.
I found sho appreciated the Immense Im
portance of thoso flvo years of Poe's llfo
which tho poot spent In Philadelphia, and
she assured mo that her present visit was
a mere reconnolterlng of tho field; that sho
expects to return and spend a considerable
period here studying such data as Is avail
able only In this city.
DURING tho period In which Poo was a
resident of this city, from 1839 to 1844,
virtually all the work that recalls his name
to fame was written. Thoso wonderful tales,
such as "The Gold Bug," "Tho Murders In
the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Let
ter," to name only a few, and his greatest
poetical work, "The Raven," were tho prod
uct of Poo's pen while ho was a poorly paid
editor of Philadelphia magazines.
For the Inst year of Burton's Gentlemen's
Magazine Poe really was Its sole editor, for
Burton was busy with his theatrical enter
prises. Poe not only edited the magazine,
but he wrote the book revlows and an article
or story for each number. When the mag
azine was combined with Graham's, Poo was
taken over with tho property, and was an
associate editor, reviewing books, writing
literary criticisms of popular authors, add
ing a tale now and then and writing an
occasional poem. In addition to this labor,
ho was occasionally asked to revise the
poetical contributions of talented ladles who
could pay for the revision, and tho writings
of some of theso ladles wore found to have
deteriorated after Poe's death.
One of tho Impressions about the poet
which seems difficult to eradicate Is that Poe
was a drunkard. Miss Phillips assured me
that this Impression was a very wrong one
nnd was not borne out by the evidence.
Neither, she Informed me, was It true that he
had died In a fit of delirium from drink, as
has been so often stated.
POE mado many friendships during his
residence here; nnd there undoubtedly Is
a great deal of Interesting material about
this period of his life that awaits the Indus
trious seeker.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to bo
more than one residence of the poet's re
maining that may have any claim to the
attention of the Investigator. This Is the
small back building to the house at Seventh
and Brandywlne streets. Some claims have
been made for a building at 25th street and
Falrmount avenue, but without much evi
dence, It seems.
But there still may be seen at tho corner
of Moravian and Dock streets the building
whore Burton published his magnzlno while
Poe was hts associate editor. Then, too,
there were until a year or two ngo the former
homes of Burton himself. One of theso was,
and may still be, on Ninth street below Vine,
nnd the other on Thirteenth street north of
Race.
John Sartaln. who died about ten years
ngo, when ho was neurlng the century mark,
mentions In his book of reminiscences that
Poe lived for a time at Slxteonth nnd Locust
streets. There Is now, however, nothing
left of that frame house, for the neighbor
hood has Improved both in value and archi
tecture since 1S39.
POE was also a frequent visitor to tho
home of Henry B. Hirst, who lived In a
house that stood on Sixth street below
Chestnut, but was effaced In 1866, when tho
Puut.ic Lr.DOKB Building was erected on the
site. The old Falrmount Reservoir, where,
just a week before his end In Baltimore, Poe,
showing signs of nervous strain and excite
ment and accompanied by Sartaln, spent
part of it night, hus been transformed. Sar
taln went with the poet to quiet his fears of
nssasslnntiun and to protect him against his
fancied dangers.
There seems to be little of Poe's Philadel
phia remaining, but what there is has not
attracted the attention It probably deserves,
for the city has cause to be proud of having
had the poet for a citizen, even If It was for
only Ave years of his brief life.
GRANVILLE.
THE IDEALIST
Recently I overheard an Intensely Inter
esting conversation between a young man
who appeared tn be In the middle twenties
and an older man, whom 1 Inter found to be
fin eminent business man of a large Eastern
city.
The younger man was plainly despondent
mill was freely unloading this spirit upon
his elder companion. His progress, he said,
had been far behind the hopes and anticipa
tions of early youth.
H was with a sort of disgust at the young
man's ravings that the merchant In a few
trlto words laid down a simple campaign
for hlin to follow.
"You say jou've mado no progress in the
last three years. Well, what Is three years!
I)ii you know, young fellow, that If you had
gone on stepping upward each month of
the&e three years your progress would
havo developed into nothing but a monot
onous process? For one thing you wouldn't
be aa aggrieved, or as spirited, about your
future as you are today. You've got the
advantage over a good many others of your
age in thut you really are excited about it.
"When you go back to your desk this
afternoon go with the expectation of finding
E"metblng to do that will mean the first step
Jrt a higher future. If you don't find it c.A
afternoon, look for It tomorrow mornln.'l
But never era to vour desk wlllimit ,. "" .,
pectlng that your opportunity Is going t lli
right thero before you. For tho very tnlnni '
you decide that it Is not going to bo lhiS!
you are doomed." '"'
Tho motive of tho ndvlco was plain. rv.u
merchant had clearly brought out the vai?'
difference between sitting around nnrt JIt?'1
lng for opportunity nnd actively looklngfop
Waiting Is a passive process; 1
means action. And action Is creative,
looking
VIEWS OF READERS
ON TIMELY TOPICS
' i
Contributions That Reflect Public OpinJl
ion on Subjects Important to City
State and Nation.
To the Editor of the Evening Ledgers
Sir Now that "aormanophobla" has som
what subsided, I should lllto to call the attit
Hon of your readers to two fields of human en.
dcavor In which Germany has set the worldv
pace. Tney are arcniteciure ana the theatrt.
In Germany alono has there been a distinct
contribution to the art of public building In
the last quarter century. Sho has evolved
rare and beautiful now technique for the hand,
ling of massed Btono and tenuous steel work,
Germany theatres, court, State and munlclpii
as woll as prlvnte ventures, lmvo elmlUrlr
pushed the technique of scenic production year
ahead of tho rest of tho world. That Is why
Max Relnhardt's nnmo Is a by-word for lh
beautiful and the unique. In tho theatre. la a
nation that has perfected two such arts, among
dozens more, barbarian? Are theso arts to ba
still further hampered In their spread abroal
by the victory of the Allies? Both are quc.
tlons worth the attention of nil Americans.
CARL BREMNER.
Philadelphia, September 25, 1914.
SALESGIRL PLEADS FOR CONSIDERATION
To the Editor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir I nm a saleslady Id ono of the largl
department stores In this city, and, noticing
that you publish letters In your pnper, would,
like to draw your attontlon to a certain matter,
I think that most salesgirls will agree with
mo when I say that tho thoughtless attltudt
of women purchasers Is making llfo very hard
for us. Theso women treat us as If we wen
some piece of machinery, ordering us to 8ho
them article after article, when It Is qulto
obvious that they have not the slightest lnten
tlon of purchasing anything. Combined wiui
this thoughtless attitude Is a good deal of In
civility. Why cannot women be more oollt
and kindly toward working girls? A kindly or I
day's ask, and would surely cost the woman
buyer but little.
A DISHEARTENED SALESGIRL
Philadelphia, September 25, 1914.
LET THEIR NAMES BE SEEN
To the Editor of the Evening Ledger:
Sli May I suggest that for the enlightenment
of unthinking voters you placo In some con
spicuous position as standing matter until after
election a list of Councllmen who hold count
or State Jobs and namo tho yearly pay of cacht
Over It all let the caption be "Good Itepubll
cans are we."
It the space required is too great for Its dally
appearance, how about several times a week?
It mnkes one weary to seo every effort work
lng toward business methods frustrated, not to
say anything about downright stealing.
JOHN S. EVANS.
1915 North Camac street.
WASH FRANKLIN'S FACE
To the Editor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir I am glad to see tho Evening Ledois
calling Philadelphia's attention to tho shock
ing state of Ben Franklin's face. As your re
porter truthfully says, tho head Is streaked
with tho weathor, the waistcoat with what
might pass for gruel. Surely Philadelphia Ii
neither so poverty-stricken even with a Muni
cipal Court to pay for--nor so shameless, as to
begrudge tho small courtesy of a bath to to
emlnnnt a man, F. K. L
Philadelphia, September 25, 1914.
ENGLISH HAVE THE ADVANTAGE
To the Editor of the rubllo Ledger:
Sir The English have tho advantage because
they use our languago and we print their
poems. If some of the stirring verse which hai
been written In Germany could be published la
the United States so that everybody could read
It, there would be a very great change In opin
ion. Wo only get the London point of view la
this country, and the London Journalists never
let nnythlng get by that Is not favorable t
their cnuse. S. T. LEINBERGH.
Atlantic City, September 22, 1914.
GARLIC OBJECTIONABLE
To the Editor of the Public Ledger:
Sir There should b some law forbidding PW
pie who have oaten garlic to rldo on the sub
way until the effects have dissipated them
selves. Last Sunday the odor was o objection
able that I was compelled to leave my seat and
walk to the front car, where fresh air cam
through. Can't something bo done about this?
S. T. VERNON.
Overbrook, September 22, 1914,
Down With llic Dreadnought
From the New York World.
When one submarine can sink three 12,000-toa
.ships In 20 minutes, the forethought of the
Germnns In keeping their dreadnoughts In forti
fied harbors becomes apparent. If lug navies
cannot go to sea we shall not need them, for
they are altogether too expensive to maintain
as mere ornaments.
King Cotton vb. King Coal
Krnm the Detroit Free Tresi.
To a man who Is figuring whero next wlnter'i
ten tons of coal nro coming from, that "buy
bale of cotton" slogan sounds like sarcasm.
NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW
Sound sense and sound patriotism are dls
plajed In equal parts by President Wilson when
he refuses Ills consent to a second-term (n
dorsement by the New Jersey Democrats New
York World.
Whatever the truth of the charges leveled
nt Southern national banks by Secretary
McAdoo, wo cannot but feel that his metnoa
of making them was seriously ill-advised.
Baltimoro News,
So long ns It is regarded as good national
morals for a country to bar other countries
trade by means of tariffs, there is golni; tor
main a possible cuuso of war. --Kansas City
Times,
President Wilson Is doln? a great thins tot
the country in his effort to make Conei'-ssmen
bellere tbnt "America Is bicuter than any
party." The President may succeed In masin
some Congressmen believe this, but he '
never bo able to muke Tammany Hall believe
It. Albany Press.
The Nntlonal American Woman Sunra
Association has appropriated from Its lenf
fund $700 to buy one bale of 10-cent cotton
In each of tho 14 Southern States, ri"9
womanly helpfulness, sound economy, aa
mlrablo politics! Winning hearts beau
smashing windows. St. Louts Post-DW
patch.
Those self-constituted advisers of the
President of the United Stales who ure tne
Chief Executive to drop diplomatic "''.
sentations nnd take some steps to - c')n11'"
the contesting nations of Europe to jut a
end to the war should realize that be)oiw
the usual methods of diplomacy there ""
way to persuade the lighters to stop flshtins
save making war on them from these snorw.
llo.tt on Post.
Tho order of the Secretary of the '"
close the Marconi wireless station at s
conset. Mass- for violation of neutrality w
be contested after a fashion In the ouri
Knforccment of neutrality In war is tiaro ,,
a, judicial function. If a court disagree
with the Communder-tn-C'hIef, who i
execute Its decrees? Neutrality B.ubh,ns
litigation would be belligerency and notwjs
else. The Marconi people may as wen a
render gracefully. They will have to sui
render anyway. New York World,
-jtjjia. , fcttar ' r ' - k nt i Y "r '-i