News Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1914

— From the Washington Post of March 22, we quote the following: "Cigarette smoking by women all over the world is so common now that few consider it worthy of comment. The attitude of most persons nowadays is that cigarettes made of light Turkish tobacco are to be considered like dinner wines — something which may become the basis of a vice by overuse, even as ordinary viands may lead to gluttony. But in Paris the women of certain sets — and the demimonde is not meant — are now going a step farther and rejecting the paper-covered cigarette for the pipe and the cigar."

— At the request of Senator Sheppard and Representative Garner, of Texas, two additional regiments of American infantry have been sent to Eagle Pass and Laredo, Tex. It is said that in addition to other property interests there is much cash in the border banks, which must be protected from any sudden raid or invasion. This places in the State of Texas for border protection nearly 18,000 troops, which is 3,000 more than the entire force of the regular army which General Shafter led into Cuba. Nearly 11,000 of these soldiers are in camp at Texas City, under command of General Funston, of Philippine fame, and the others are already placed in strategic positions along the borders.

— The committee which has been investigating the situation in the Colorado coal fields is about to report some drastic recommendations to Congress. The committee does not feel that there is actual proof of peonage, but there is striking evidence of men forced to flee over the mountains to escape the armed guards. The mine companies have admitted that they issued company checks instead of postal orders, as requested by the miners, and that they charged postal rates on these checks. The committee also has evidence of the violation of the rights of voters in Colorado and of the transgression of State laws regarding the appointment of deputy sheriffs.

— Charles Becker, the New York police lieutenant who was convicted and sentenced to death last year in connection with the murder of Herman Rosenthal, the gambler, with whom he had been associated but who had turned against the police officer, was last week granted a new trial by the court of appeals at Albany. The appeal of the four gunmen, so called, who were convicted as the perpetrators of the atrocious crime, was denied. The highest court of the State based its reversal of the jury's verdict on objections to the conduct of Justice Goff, the trial judge. During the progress of the trial Justice Goff frequently criticized Becker's counsel and insisted that the proceedings be hurried to a conclusion. At the time, it was generally believed that the trial judge was vigorously asserting the authority of the bench and properly curbing attempts to quibble and delay, but the upper court regards this as haste and prejudice injurious to the defendant.

— From a recent copy of the New York Evening Sun we quote as follows: "A week or so ago a number of pupils in the Manhattan Preparatory School, at Houston Street and Second Avenue, 'went on strike' because their principal had suspended one of their number for calling a teacher a foul name. They held meetings and presented a 'demand' that the boy should be reinstated. The principal obeyed their demand fully, and sent a written answer to that effect to the strikers. It is now reported that about 200 of the 1,300 members of Bryant High School, in Long Island City, have 'gone on strike.' The leader of the disorder is Harry Walker, 17 years old, and he declares that he will have all the pupils out in a few days. It appears that the trouble began a week ago, when Walker was directed by the teacher in English to leave the classroom and report to the principal, Mr. Peter E. Demorest. Walker was impertinent to the principal, who sent him home. The striking schoolboys have drawn up a schedule of their 'demands,' which includes the establishment of a general organization of the boys, 'self-government,' student control of funds raised by students, and providing that 'disagreeable rules be abolished,' that the rules for taking the regents' examinations be revised, and ordering the transfer of Miss Julia Garrity, one of the oldest teachers in the school, whom the strikers call 'too severe.' This extraordinary proceeding might be thought absurd if it were not a serious indication of the lawless tendency among young boys, which has been growing more noticeable for years."