Washington Letter Notes Library Growth and Tradeoffs
The Congressional library remains the world’s third largest with 3 433 848 books and pamphlets and about 900 000 other items. Notable acquisitions include a large Russia and Siberia collection and a 9 000 work Japan set selected by Yale’s Asakawa. Gifts from J Henley Smith and Mrs Ridgely Hant accompany other valued items. The documents division shows a 50 percent volume increase while international exchanges expand and division totals rise across maps music and prints. Street tea tables and boulevard life prompt diplomats to seek lounge booths along Washington avenues. Madison R Smith is introduced as a new Smith in the House. Union Station progress demands 5 million more and a costly rotunda scaffold, with gilt panels and many lights to come.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congressional Library
Yedin
Russia
Siberia
America
Europe
Alaska
Japan
Asakawa
Yale
John McLean
Supreme Court
Joseph C. Thomas
Christian Commission
Thomas Butler
Cyrus W. Field
Joseph Holt
Washington
William Plumer
New Hampshire
Edward McPherson
Thaddeus Stevens
Pickett
Treasury Department
Post Office Department
Union Railway
Carl Schofield
Real Thing: Dr Wiley Tries Chicken Pie Prank
In a Washington cafe Dr Wiley, the pure food chief, orders a chicken pie and finds a feather beneath the crust. The waiter explains the prank: cooks allegedly add one chicken feather to prove some pies are not what they claim to be.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dr. Wiley
Washington
Champ Clark's Wichita Cash Tale Reveals Early Hustle
A Wichita letter in the Topeka Capital recounts Champ Clark, later a Missouri congressman and lecturer, briefly practicing law in 1875. He opened an office near the Pacific Express building, struggled for work, earned a dollar cutting corn, and decided to leave town after vowing to make money.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Champ Clark
Missouri
Wichita
Kan
Topeka
Pacific Express Company
Ward
Congress
Ros Harris
Clark
T B
Stephen Crane as a Paragrapher burlesques a lovers parting
A 1894 magazine fragment recalls Stephen Crane writing humorous paragraphs. The spoof bases a farewell scene on a date at 6, with George Tresham and Lillian Bellairs. dialogue playfully echoes grave romantic vows and a timing swap ending with “it came to pass as He had spoken.”
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stephen Crane
Stephen Crang
George’ Tresham
Lillian Bellairs
Goodby
George
George Tresham
Lillian
Darling
Grenadiers From the Diamond in War Talk
A New York American column imagines grenades for the army, noting baseball players could adapt. It envisions pitchers reading charges and throwing grenades as a recruiting boost for both the big leagues and the military, followed by gridiron guards to crush foes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
New York American
Strange Cure For Snake Bite Near Globe
Frank and Fred Pascoe rode south of Globe when a rattlesnake struck Frank on the leg. Fred bound the bite with a split rabbit after shooting it for immediate aid. They returned to Globe. doctors report no alarm in Frank's condition due to timely treatment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frank
Fred Pascoe
Globe
Fred
Pascoe
Hard Times Sermon Spurs Salary Cut in Demopolis
Congressman George W. Taylor recalled a Mobile pastor's sermon urging economy amid hard times. The preacher urged retrenchment and pared costs. After the talk, the Demopolis congregation met and voted to reduce the pastor's salary from $2,000 to $1,500.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George W. Taylor
Demopolis
Ala
Senator Allison’s Timely Nudge Echoes Capitol Wit
A Boston Herald item recalls a running Capitol tale about Senator Allison avoiding clear statements. In a recent episode he checked his watch then asked a companion for the time, only to remark that presumably the friend had the time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Allison
Iowa
Senate
District of Columbia
Spooner
Boston Herald
Australia to issue stamps to advertise the commonwealth
The London Chronicle reports Australia will issue new stamps of superior quality printed from steel plates. The department boards expect up to £40,000 in sales to philatelists in the first year and about £20,000 annually thereafter. The stamps will showcase distinctive Australian features and serve as a worldwide advertisement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Australia
Commonwealth
London Chronicle
Why He Preferred Shaw
A parent asks a child to choose between Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw. The six year old Henry replies Bernard Shaw because he “ain’t dead.” The crowd of literary friends reacts with admiration at the witty answer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shaw
Fenry
Shakespeare
Bernard Shaw
Henry
London Globe
Alpine Fatalities in the Swiss Alps Rise in 1907
A Lancet report notes 75 deaths on the Alps during 1907 across Italian Swiss and Austrian routes. The piece recalls Sir Leslie Stephen’s view of the Alps as a graveyard and cites annual mortality statistics highlighting risks in mountaineering and adventuring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Leslie Stephen
Swiss Alps
Ing
Dauphine
French Model Hat and Chicago Cornelia Shine
A chic French toque crafted from buckram wire and velvet, with rose decorations and wings, is described alongside a Windy City portrait of a wealthy Cornelia preparing a gold medallion necklace featuring four tiny medal portraits of her children. The article links fashion to social status in Chicago.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cornelia
Chicago
Windy City
The Wise Shopper’s Guide to Gown Fitting this Season
The article advises women buying a single gown to ensure a perfect fit, noting empire and princess shapes are hard for home sewers. It recommends professional fitting to achieve a snug hip and shoulder line with a waxlike waist, even if trimming is DIY.
Pretty Little Girl Party Frock in Lingerie Cloth
A charming dress for a ten to twelve year old girl features fine lingerie cloth and delicate lace trim. The design comes from the fashion magazine Dress, highlighting a refined, youthful party outfit.
Waist trimming on reception gowns with decorative bibs
A fashion note describes gown waists trimmed by a silk or satin bib, cut high to fit lace yokes or low necks. The bib is heavily decorated with ribbon knots, buttons, embroidery and other garnitures, offering a stylish decorative opportunity.
The Art of Telephoning Lessons for Better Use
Advice from the New England Company on getting satisfactory telephone results. Look up numbers before calling Central and answer promptly to avoid missed communications. Speak clearly, at a proper volume, and directly into the transmitter for best reception.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Central
Paine
No matter how big you are you may need help
Uncle Eben tells Sonny about tugboats locomotives and a white horse to remind him that size status and style do not guarantee self sufficiency and that help can come from unexpected quarters in life lessons quoted from the Washington Star.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sonny
Uncle Eben
Yaas
Jim
Baltimo
Washington Star
Narrow life in a growing metropolis echoed by a Colorado man
A Colorado resident speaks of confinement and limited social reach after settling in a large city. He notes fewer neighbors, thinner territory, and a repetitive daily routine within a compact urban area compared with his former wide open life in the West. He complains of sameness amid a dense population.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pansion
Colorado
Wild West
New York Telegram
Practical Tommy Skips Church Most Year Except Christmas
A young Tommy Jones, known for his extreme youth, admits he only attends church on Christmas. At dinner his uncle asks if he prays. Tommy boasts he said a prayer before the sermon, reciting I pray tobed down to sleep.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tommy
Tommy Jones
Ladies’ Home Journal
French chefs use eau de cologne in culinary blends
A note explains that French cooks mix eau de cologne with other essences to create a subtle flavor in fruit salads and desserts. It mentions genuine cologne contains a compressed extract of rosemary and lemon thyme.
Printing quality drives business value and perception
The text argues that thoughts and ideas must be paired with proper execution, and that good printing is a sound investment. It warns that poor printing undermines a business as surely as an unattractive storefront, shabby wagons, or untidy clerks.
Individuality in Expression Shapes Life’s Details
A reflection on individuality as a key quality in life. It argues language is thoughts in words and that the value of thoughts depends on the power of expression, noting that no two people share the same expression.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Shoemaker
Kauffmann
Washington, Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe
J. Henley Smith
Ridgely Hant
Champs Elysees
House
William Alden
George W
Ilinois
Smiths
Madison R. Smith
Farmington, Mo
New Congressional
Dress
Fashion Magazine
The
New England Telephone and Telegraph Company
Desiens Rey
Office
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