The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 13

THE BROOKLYN DAILY NEW YORK. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 21'. 1911. 13 CONTRIBUTORS' FORUM -NOTE AND COMMENT BY EAGLE READERS WANTS OTHER CHURCHES.

XE very striking letter of today's Forum Is from the Rev. O. D. Ersklne, M.A., pastor of the First Presbyterian costly system of tax records are practically null and void. Changes and new rules are always In order, and half the time verbal.

The help are bounded by overseers who themselves are conlnually on pins and needles. Many other Instances could be cited, but what's the use? $220,000 no doubt would be a good starter for those out of employment, but, thanks to Mayor Will-lam J. Gaynor, who Intends to defend the taxpayer at all hazards, it is hard to get. YE BANNA. Brooklyn, December 18, 1911.

Richmond Hill Man Complains ot Only One to Four Saloons. Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: I wish to call attention to the western portion of Richmond Hill, west of Grand avenue, sometimes called Brooklyn Hills. It has a population ot 3,000. rapidly Increasing. There is one church.

Congregational, and four saloons. It seems to me there Is a chance here fcr the Baptists, Reformed Church or the Reformed Episcopal. (What is a Reformed Episcopal Church, anyway?) Please publish this as It may catcb the eye of the proper authorities. INTERESTED. Rlohmond Hill, L.

December 18, 1911. AN OPERA HE LIKED. Church In Sturgis, S. his village being within a mile of Fort Meade, an army post. He calls for the restoration of the army canteen In no uncertain terms.

John C. Quln, a worklngnian out of a job on the eve of Christmas, tells how a letter delayed In the mails for forty-eight hours, between Cooper Square, Manhattan, and Eighteenth street, Brooklyn, lost him an opportunity for employment He naturally blames Postofflee methods. Antonio L. fpaghettar, a small insurance broker, complains of the State tax of $10 a year on men of his calling. He is sure it Is unjust, and he suspects that it is unconstitutional.

John McGahle Indorses the suggestion that rates in life Insurance should be lower. A. Von During offers a criticism of the boy choir in the Garden City Cathedral. Michael J. Hanley expresses the belief that the Democratic organization In Kings County can have real harmony, even under McCooey, If counsel irrespective of their personal benefit, be taxed out of proportion to the less fortunate property owner who might be willing It abla to Indulge the same spirit? The present system of appraising values of Improved property for the purpose of tax.itio.i is unequal and Inconsistent It is disheartening to the person who is able and willing to improve land In the location selected for a home site and embellish it to the credit ot tho city, and there Is no Incentive for others to follow the Initiative.

There should be a system devised whereby all Improved property would be appraised for valuo by the rule of cubic foot, and the cubio foot value based upon the character and material used In construction, and the appraised value confined to and limited to the building proper, and not to the Interior finish and embellishment. The present manner of assessing Improved property would seem to be governed only by guesswork, but a still further injustice is practiced in taxing In accordance with the expenditure inside as well as without, and for creating an attraction to Invite other home-seekers. To my humble Judgment, the whole principle as outlined Is a grievous error and should be changed if we hope to maintain a desirable element of our population the city has now a defined value for lpnd based upon the lineal front foot why not a defined value for any character of improved property based upon a specific value per cubic foot? I hope that my suggestion may be taken up and dlscuBsed by those competent to give to the subject matter the serious thought of which it is deserving. HENRY C. BUCKHOUT.

Brooklyn, N. December 18, 1911. lyn. He notes how Brooklyn differs from newer cities, aud hints that some attention to German tendencies would be worth while. Augustus Haviland also takes up the subject.

He favors removing the elevated railroad, not to Adams street, but to Pearl street, and offers some suggestions about the public buildings. H. tells of some jarring city noises that he thinks might well bo gotten rid of. II. C.

Buckhout favors city improvements, but would begin with the method of assessing Improved property. W. T. Refelye treats of the need of renaming some streets. Albert Korber, a church usher, writes to deny that there is any lack of welcome In the churches for people who have a receptive spirit for such welcome.

George Grant takes the same view. "Interested," who lives In the part of Richmond Hill that is called "Brooklyn Hills," notes that there is only one church there and four saloons. He thinks other denominations than the one now represented might well come in. Charles M. Hlggins has a few words of opposition jo compulsory vaccination.

"l'ebanna" attacks the present organization of the Controller's office. Some other letters are very suggestive. hind the times In taking up this city plan question. It is practically the only large city In the country, (barring Newark and Jersey City), which has not made definite studies on that subject. It is true a plan for Greater New York was made public about four years ago and this gave a limited consideration to Brooklyn's needs, but the study was Indeed meager and who can say entirely practical.

Furthermore, Brooklyn really requires an improved city plan to. a far greater extent than most of these other cities which have been so active in the movement. Brooklyn is growing faster than any city in the country, and its street subdivisions are particularly complex. Dr. Hillia' suggestions came at a timely moment.

At the very least they furnished the inspiration, and Inspiration first Is what the citizens need. The practical working out of the problem is a natural sequence. It Is only about ten years ago that the national clvio improvement idea first began to take root. While actual results in work accomplished cannot be shown to a very great extent, general enthusiasm on the subject has grown to vast proportions, and at least the planning ahead for cities' growth h'as taken very definite form. Sometimes It becomes a question just how far these plans should reach.

This Is what constitutes the difficult part of the problem. What we want for Brooklyn Is an ambitious plan, but at the same time one which may be realized upon at. least within some reasonable length of time. Perhaps it may be well to look back upon the results accruing from the New York plan of 1907. We have widened some of the New York streets by moving back the sidewalk line, as suggested by the New York City Improvement Commission, and that is about all.

The physical character of the Borough of Brooklyn presents a complex situation in Its layout of streets. Here is found a situation where six or seven towns originally separate, with entirely distinct street systems, are now Joined in one. The Highway Department has done very well, at least the best it could, and the circular systems of streets In portions of the borough fits in very well with natural courses of traffic. But as a whole cover tbo cost. Thsy assessed the cost of the parks on the surrounding properly, which increased In value 32o per ceut.

It is also (me that the building of the King's Highway in, London, directly through the most congested district of the city, will cause no eventual expense to the taxpayers, because the city acquired enough adjoining property to benefit by the rise In values. Philadelphia has been cutting a boulevard 160 feet wide from their City Hall to Fairmount Park, and expects to pay for it in much the saino way above outlined. There are many other existing examples of the practical value of esthetic city Improvements. Burnham's suggestion of carrying the plan ot Brooklyn to the extremity of Long island may be something to take very seriously. It is only necessary to remember that L'Enfaut's plan of Washlug-don, D.

executed lu President Washington's time, was then a subject of considerable derisiou. A tew years ago it was approved in entirety by a commission appointed to study it and Washington's needs, after this commission had given to the subject the most thorough amount of study that time, money and travel could provide. The commission appointed in New York in 1807 to plan a new street layout for the city included in their report, as follows: "It may seem a subject of merriment that the commissioners have provided space for a greater population than Is collected at any spot this side of China. It Is not improbable that considerable numbers may be collected in Harlem before the high hills to the south ot it are built up as a city, and it is Improbable that for centuries to come the ground north of the Harlem flats will be covered with homes." What has actually resulted is a good fesson to profit by. There should be no delay In furnishing this plan for Brooklyn, and the organization that has recently been brought together for this purpose are by no means on the ground too early.

It Is well Brooklynitcs have been able to moct a city planner of such unusual experience as Mr. Burnham, and his statement that one man should be at the head of this great enterprise Is wholly correct. At the same time It will be wise for each section of the city to organize also and study out their own needs and thus be able to present in proper form the vital facts which govern the development of their district and how they may be Included in the general city plan. When out final plan Is ma'e, we can expect and hope for many things. Brooklyn will "Marlborough Boad" Adds Something to Eagle's Criticism of Performance.

Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: Referring to your appreciative and generally discriminating notice, In today's Eagle, of the preceding evening's performance of "Lobetanz," I am rather surprised that you failed to mention the delightful bits of burlesque and parody that one frequently observes In this work. Take Aot II, the hunters' tho lovers on the seat, the surprise, even the way the king stands, aud compare with, "Tristan and Isolde." One perhaps ought, to feel shocked, but 1 confess I found It diverting. In Act III, scene II. the Judgo reminds one of Beckmesser, as du the minstrels in Act I. The music, naturally, alBO recalls Wagner, as your reviewer remarks, but It has considerable merit of Its own.

Take It all In all, "Lobetanz" seems to be one of the most enjoyable of the lighter operas, and thoroughly well fitted In our Academy ot Music. MARLBOROUGH ROAD. Brooklyn, December 17, 1911. IN RE VACCINATION. Charles M.

Higgins Cites Authorities for Dr. Maxfield's Benefit. Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: I am sorry that you were not able to publish more than a very short outline of my letter to Dr. Maxfleld, our local health officer, in your issue of December 15, on the Illegality of all compulsory vaccination done under any form of foroe. Intimidation or coercion.

I think the subject was important enough to the general public, and that the ignorance of tho average citizen of his lcgul rights lu this matter was great enough to have warranted you lu giving some epitome of the several important decisions of tho courts which I cited. 1 note, however, that In your lntervle-v with the chief sanitary superintendent, Dr. Bensel, In Manhattan, in answer to tne legal points wnich 1 raised, that he took occasion to state in the modest stylo usual with the average supporter of the medical and legal barbarism which I am condemning, that "The onlv two kinds of la taken of Its energetic, practical men. An Interesting communication comes from Richard Schermerhorn, himself a landscape architect, on the Burn-ham plans to make a Beautiful Brook RENAMING OF STREETS RESTORE THE CANTEEN, 'IS away Into everlasting punishment," Matthew he means restraint, Greek word Is kolasis, put In Jail. Some of them ere getting a sample of It now.

JOHN McGAHIEJ. 60 First place, Brooklyn, N. December 18, 1911. BRIGHTER HOPES. So Writes Minister In Village Wear Fort Meade, In South Dakota.

Editor The Brooklyn Dally Kails: In your editorial of December 11, "A Petition Congress Ought to Heed, But GARDEN CITY BOY CHOIR. Probably Will Not," 'I find views that I heartily commend and say "Amen" to. Favored, In Some Cases, by This Correspondent, W. T. Refelye.

Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: It Is almost an impossibility to please everyone at any time, and we see this Idea realized now when the subject of renaming the streets of Brooklyn on a better basia than exists at present Is brought before us. We all agree that duplications of stieet names should be abolished, but how to do it Is the problem. And there are other streets with similar sounding names that should be changed too. Sumner, Sumpter, Somors are all too near alike; and many others. W.

T. REFELYE. Brooklyn, December 19, 1011. Singing in Cathedral Is Severely The canteen should be regtorea. lrnt Ua.h.

im it.at fin a mils from our (town: there are seven saloon here In a Criticised by B. Von During. Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: little town of 1,400, kept up ny me soldiers. The drunkenness and debauchery It a disgrace and Bhame, and take it from one who sees and knows the np- After reading in yesterday's Eagle the article relative to the choir of the Garden City Cathedral and comparing the then grow properly it will grow In wealth and public spirit; It will grow In Individuality and beauty, and old Brook- palling condition of the present status, that the restoration of the army canteen would be a big Improvement. Drlnklnar to excess, violation of law.

remarks of the writer with my own Impression of the work of the Cathedral choir, I must say that one of us Is en (fines. Imprisonment, desertion such ia CHURCH USHER WRITES. tirely wrong In our views. My opinion, Ithe present story. Do all In your power after hearing the choir rehearse, and also render a service at the Cathedral, not lynites will nave no longer the reason for saying: "Brooklyn is Brooklyn no more, but merely a corner of New York how much better If we were only back to the old days." Mr.

Editor, I trust you will publish this to help spread the spirit for a "More Beautiful and Livable Brooklyn." RICHARD SCHERMERHORN, JR. Brooklyn, Dec. 18, 1911. to awaken public sentiment, mai urn present deplorable condition may be Improved. C.

D. ERSKINE, Pastor First Presbyterian unurcn. Bturglt, So. Dakota, December 14, 1911. stopping to consider the service rendered with the combined choir of St.

Luke's and the Cathedral, was and still Is, that there is great room tor Im people opposed to vaccination ara people The Resuscitation of the Party Of MITT' tth" Lincoln Predicted by Tokaji. the history of smallpox, and people who are crazy." Now the people he really Editor The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: means to here refer to are not people However optimlstlo the Tntt followers who oppose voluntary vaccination but pretended to be ln tue New wlUard Hotel those who oppose compulsory vaccination. In my letter to Dr. Mnxticld I dls- Bt WnSton on the eve and tho morn-claimed all objection to voluntary vaccl- ia ot the National Committee meeting, nation for any and everyone who really they felt anything but happy and content-believes ln its virtue or necessity. In- ed when National Committeeman Ward deed, many of the people who are forced from New York an Republican State hi nre h0" wn? Chairman Brown from Ohio appeared on believe ln vaccination, but who do not believe that they should bo made to again Boene' tha Personality of Theo-submit to It every time a little smallpox dorB Roosevelt loomed up bo strong on scare arises, or at the mere whim or die- the political horizon.

Nine out of ten tatlon of any health officer, against their people ln the Willard frankly declared own will or desire. I suggested, thero- that should William H. Taft get the re-fore, to Dr. Maxfleld, that if vaccination nomination he certainly would not suc-were offered by polite persuasion, with- ced himself as President of the re-out any intimidation, foroo or coercion, to public. any of our citizens in high or low degree.

The politicians (the Southern gentle-wlth the clear understanding that they men Included) want a "winner" under might accept or reject It as they saw fit, any and all circumstances, a mau that our health officers would then be act- whom tho people want, and William H. lng within the correct scope of their Taft Is not the man to lead his party to powers and according to true medical victory ln 1912. Tho party uiUBt look for and legal ethics, as already defined by a mau who can bring together all fac-our higher, courts. Hons, thus resuscitating the old party But that this Is not the Idea or scope spirit of fellowship, righteous-generos-of Dr. Bensel's medical ethics is lndi- Ity.

harmony and concord, cated by his sinister remarks if he is Whether that man Is Robert Marlon La correctly reported that. "It Is just ns Follette or some other progressive con-well for the peopla who aro being vaocl- Bervatlve (no other can be elected) that nated to think that It Is compulsory," In depends upon the strength and popularity other words, he seems to think that when that the Wisconsin Senator will develop ho goes about to vaccinate people it is within the next three months. The peo-rlght for him to give them the idea that pie of the East must and Bhall know he has the legal power to make them more of La Follette as he Is known lu submit to It by a show of force against the West and not as he is grossly mls-thelr own free choice, will and consent, represented in the East. Tho Wisconsin If he does not mean this, he will please statesman Is by no means as radical as explain what he means by the phrase some people think be Is. I know the quoted, and if he does mean this, he con-1 man know whoreof I speak.

lis Is no (esses to a flagrant Invasion ot the most mora radical than any of the gentlemen sacred right of the citizen and a violation whose names we frequently hear men-of the laws of this State, for which he Is tloned as probable candidates for tho provement In every way. MAIL TWO DAYS LATE. MR. HAVILAND'S PLAN. 48 Hours, Cooper Square to South The singing of the boys at all times Is unsustained, the tenors and basses holding on the full value of the notes and the sopranos not doing so.

Good enunciation, which is the essential thing Brooklyn, Makes Man Lose a Job. In all good chorus work, is lacking entirely In the work of this cbolr, this be Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: I read in The Eagle last week about collections and deliveries In the and. Ilka everything else I ing especially noticeable In the chanting of the Psalms. Another thing that would attract the notice of a person looking for such things, Is the change In read In your paper, believed It until I reoelved a letter Saturday morning. This Albert Korber Thinks lack of Welcome Is Only Noted by the Unsocial.

Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eaglet Kindly permit space In your valuable columns for my views concerning the church and Its members, which subject is of considerable Importance, replying to the red-hot shot recently fired by several contributors regarding the attitude of church ushers welcoming strangers and the characterization of church members. My discussion of them is not to antagonize nor to minimize criticism, but to advise and give Impressions based upon personal experience ns an officer and usher In one of our prominent churohes. In submitting my views to the occasional worshipper and church wanderer, I hope to achieve some degree of Buccess without offending. The usher, who Is usually an officer, holds a very responsible end delicate position. His specific duty on Sundays Is to assign strangers to seats and at the close of the service to give the glad hand and hearty Invitation to strangers to come again, and it the vlBltor la so disposed, escort him to meet the dominie, whose merry weather eye notloeB every stranger who enters, in.

fact, our genial paBtor from the platform cordially invites strangers to come forward to meet blm. Now, contemplate tor a moment the Individual with an indifferent expression coming up the aisle, looking straight the registers of the boys voices wnen changing from chest to head voice. I hardly think I am the only one who hnldn a Ilka opinion of the work of the letter was mailed from an employment agency in Cooper Square December 14 at 111:30 a.m. and was delivered at my home nAAmhaM ia nt u-9ft am. not far from Elevated Boad on Pearl Street, Not Adams Street Other Hints.

Editor The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: The plans as published In The Eagle for beautifying tho Borough Hall section are very attractive, but why not send the elevated structure one block further away from public buildings say through Pearl street rather than Adams street and let that beautiful municipal building have a great through Its center and court house buildings, with frontage on Livingston street taking In the whole square facing Court, Livingston and Joralemon streets. Then perhaps the city might save something for Bubways rather than pay subway money to speculators in court house plots, and have a temporary court house in the Polytechnic building for our newly elected Judges and above all have all our public buildings massed together and some money perhaps for an attractive entrance to the bridge. porty-eight hours to make a trip that can Cathedral choir, and I am taking the Cathedral choir because there is where the standard should be set, although what has been said would probably apply tn almost every boy choir. be done In less than an nour any lime. I When 1 received it I hurried over to Manhattan, but, of course, was a day too tin.A am nnlv ntlfl Of Gfreat In reply to Bishop Burgess" address at the Cathedral two years ago, I remember many that this has happened to, but the reading in the columns of this paper presidency by both political partleB.

liable to prosecution by any aggrieved citizen, and It Is time that be corrected this illegal, barbarous and dangerous Idea loss of a position at tnis time, auer Deing out of work over a month, means that inv family and myself are going to have remarks that called xne BiBnop attention to the faot that he need not look very far in seeking to improve tne music a pretty poor Christmas. the street system runs at random, and not until radical measures are adopted can be the situation be remedied. If one bas studied town planning as governed by theory and precedent, he has heard of wide diagonal boulevards, piercing in direct straight courses the outlying districts of the town, radiating from a town center, or several town centers, where public buildings are symmetrically grouped. He has also heard of encircling parkways, linking together the Individual parks, intersecting the diagonal boulevards at approximate right angles, and tying together the whole Btreet system in such a way that all sections of the town are readily accessible, one with the others. These are very logical and proper principles, and very easy to place on a city plan, and often may be so worked out that a very attractive and symmetrical layout Is obtained.

But these plans are not of a character which can be properly worked out In offices alone. The city's topographical formation must be carefully considered, the expense to be Incurred by these Improvements carefully reckoned, and those sections of the city which do not admit of change, and should be preserved on account of their picturesque or historical character, must be provided for in the proper way. In Germany It Is often considered that the "magnificent distances" one hears so much about nowadays, may be overdone, and that the long radial boulevards are often Improved by occasional changes in direction. It is also considered there that the appearance of important buildings may be Just as well appreciated If they are not always exposed to long ranges of view, such that one coming on them gradually, often tires of them before they are finally reached. If an important building has sufficient open space around it, so that a clear view from all sides may be obtained from a reasonable distance away, the Germans claim that a more pleasing effect Is obtained it this building or group of buildings is Bet off to one side of the main boulevard, Instead of directly in the line of vision as one approaches, thus regarding the fact that the element of surprise In suddenly encountering beautiful objects, may be more worthy of consideration than what Is gained by placing them at the end ot long vistas.

Topographically and otherwise, Physically, Brooklyn suggests that a following of the German methods may be worth while looking into. Washington and Chicago, whose new plans are perfect, from the conditions that govern them are fiat cities, and there were very few if any portions of these cities which sentimentally had any claim toward preservation or enhancement. Brooklyn has many hills but it is not like Sau Francisco, which also had a most attractively rendered plan. Neither can St. Louis or Pittsburgh be compared to Brooklyn in these matters.

Brooklyn needs a plan all of its own. There are many of the picturesque features of old Brooklyn which can be preserved, and there are etill numbers of the old, irregular street3 which can be properly combined in the new plan, if the subject is gone about In the right way. Probably one of the most Important details which needs early attention is the improvement of City Hall Park. It is understood several plans for tills are already pretty well worked out. Then a suitable connection between the great bridges is a matter which should not too long be let lie.

Following immediately after tills is the consideration of Brooklyn's shore front. If Brooklyn were a square, It could be reckoned that three sides of the square were waterfront. It is sometimes difficult for tho average Brooklynite to realize that he lives near the water at all. Tho Shore Road is practically the only strip of water front open to the public, and this Is Inaccessible to the masses. The natural idea for improvement of this vast shore front of Brooklyn is.

much along Dr. Hillis'a ar If a letter In your paper maaes mem iput up a new flag on the postofflee I hope this will make them get a move on in In the church choirs ot tne aiocese. R. VON DURING. SO Cooper street, Brooklyn, N.

December 18, 1911. DEMOCRATIC HARMONY. delivery. junn wuin. 639 Eighteenth street.

Brooklyn, De C. AUGUSTUS HAVILAND, Brooklyn, December 18, 191L cember 17. 1911. JARRING CITY NOISES. TAX A BURDEN Possible Under McCooey In the Judg.

of his powers, and that be reform at once the whole scheme of his vaccination departments. Now as to the "Ignorant" and "crazy" people who are on record as opposed to rompulsory vaccination, I will give him a little list to look over. This Includes such men In this country as the Supreme Court Judges of the State of New York, Including the Court of Appeals, and even the distinguished Mayor of this city, as well as the late Judge Brewer aud Judge Peek-ham of tho Supreme Court of the United States. It also includes such men as John Pltcalrn and Porter F. Cope, of Philadelphia, whom the Governor of Pennsylvania has just appointed on a special commission of seven to Investigate the whole subject of vaccination in that much vaccinated State.

All La Follette has got to do is to show himself to the great masses of the people aud leave It to their Judgment whether or not he measures up to their expecta- tions as the proper man to rule over the destinies ot approximately one hundred million American sovereigns frcemun from March 1913 to March, 1917. That La Folletto's life work Is not of a destructive, but of a constructive, order was clearly demonstrated by the marvelous achievements during his three terms as governor. The State of Wisconsin is Justly proud of her son through whoBe Instrumentality she was rid of the corrupt and venal bosses and politicians and became one of the most prosperous, progressive and best-governed Mnusonwealths In the Union. These are actual, undeniable, cold faots. This Is the naked truth.

Robert Marion La Follette Is a deep thinker, an able, earnest, brave and practical man. With La Follette as candidate for President the Republican party will ment of Michael J. Hanly. Editor The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: ahead, who does not avail himself of the opportunity to receive a kindly look and cordial handshake, but, like Hamlet's Ghost, vanishes from sight. The departed guest showed little appreciation for the kind hospitality offered.

Tho feast that cost him little or nothing, was at least entitled to a simple thank you. Instances of this kind are so unusual as many suppose, and certainly are not duo to lack ot oourteous attention from the ushers. That there are members In our churches who do not live up to the obligations they have assumed is true, "pity 'tis 'tis true," pa Antonio L. Spaghottar, Insurance From the appearance, at least on the Broker, Who Files a Protest. A Partial List of Cacophonies Commented On by H.

Editor The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Brooklyn would be greatly improved as a place of residence if the avoidable Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: surface, or as the ordinary citizen can sea it, things look as if we were going to have Democratio harmony In this I have Just had to pay $10 State tax or the privilege of being an Insurance noises In the streets could be eliminated. county, which is only proper when we roker. This is in addition to the $10 we usurance brokers have to pay to the New York Fire Insurance Exchange for It also Includes, ln England, some of the most distinguished doctors and laymen appointed on the great English Vaccination Commission, which studied the subject for about ten years and finally rendered a majority and minority report differing on the merits of vaccination, but he same privilege. If we do not pay both of the above axes we are prohibited from doing busi An Inestimable service can be rendered to citizens and householders by a dally newspaper which will wage unceasing warfare against the continuance of the dally nuisances to which every householder is subjected. Every morning at or before 7 o'clock, the proprietors of factories cause whistles to be blown that disturb people living within half a mile.

ness as brokers in Insurance. but they are in very small proportion to Iho clement, individually and collectively, whose unselfish devotion and broad sympathy and unshaken faith in God commands the confidence and esteem ot their fellow-men. My advice to the stranger Is, don't Imagine yourself an unwelcome guest. Come prepared to expect a cordial greeting and you will find what you are looking for. ALBERT KORBER.

Brooklyn, Deoember 18, 1911. sweep the country on November 5. 1912, Both of these charges seem to me to from the pine woods of Maine to the This nuisance is without any excuse for Golden Gate of Callforia. BELA TOKAJI, President National Progressive Republic can League, State of New York. New York, December 18, 1911.

be unnecessary, and they are certainly oppressive and onerous. I Why should an insurance broker be bicked out for a special tax? Why not pay brokers, brokers In stocks and bonds Lr empty barrels as well? I believe, and a couple of my lawyer its existence. Between 8 o'clock and 8:30 the postman blows a harsh soundng whistle so that he may not be delayed In tho delivery ot mall. This whistle is blown at least fifty times on an ordinary city block, and can be heard on THE CHURCH DEFENDED. DEBS IS A SOCIALIST, friends agree with me, that if the matter jivere carried Into court and properly con- contiguous streets.

Why not oblige ested the law imposing a State tax householders to have a receptacle for would be declared unconstitutional; and mall, and do away with this nerve rack he local tax to the tariff association or ing whistle? At about 9 a.m. the old fire insurance trust would also be de- agreeing in the abolition of all eoui pulsion. It Includes such "crazy" and "Ignorant" mirfls as John Bright, Will-lam E. Gladstone, Herbert Spencer, John Stuart Mill, Charles Bradlaugh, Professor Alfred Russell Wallace, Sir William Collins, M. D.

Dr. Water R. Hadwen, Dr. Charles Crelghton, and Professor Edgar M. Crookshank, the last five being profound students of the history of smallpox and vaccination.

It might lie said to Include the present Emperor of Germany, who thinks compulsory vaccination 13 good enough for his common subjects, but does not think It good enough for his own family, which he refused to have vaccinated. Now perhaps these men are not of high enough type to rank with our Dr. Bensel of Manhattan, who seems to think that it Is best for most of our citizens to falsely believe that they must submit to forced vaccination at his hands, but I think that the average citizen like myself will have no hesitation In saying that they are good enough for us. will consider the immense rcsponsiDimy placed upon the county next year. It won't do to weaken our army before such a battle as we shall have during the canvass for the national and State election in 1912.

The Borough of Brooklyn, with Its of population, is a most important factor in politics, especially with its Democratic majority, which, with careful management, can be doubled, cut out all bickering, and act as one man, with harmony among the leaders which every good Democrat hopes for. There are many things in politics as in business life that are unpleasant and hard to bear, but where a great interest is at stake, smother feeling, for the sake of the good that will come to all the people. It is sometimes a great mistake for a man who has a great responsibility on bis shoulders, as the leader of Kings County certainly has, to try to carry out all his duties alone or even with aid of his executive committee, many of whom are very clever men and very popular in their diBtrlqts. They may be greatly assisted by the Infusion of some new blood, men who wil look upon questions in a cooler manner; in other words, men who are used to handling large affairs and will greatly aid the leader and his counsellors. The late Hugh McLaughlin, who was probably the greatest leader we ever had in any county In this State, never depended upon himself alone; he invited the brightest minds that could be had, and they argued in conference the many Important subjects that came before the organization.

There are many such men in Brooklyn today, among the leKal. clothes men, the Junk men and the scissors grinder go through the block, mak lared unreasonable and as a restraint trade. My commissions as an Insurance broker ing hideous noises, with shouts, bells and discordant horns. Then follows the kre small would not amount during the man with a load of apples, attended by kear to more than $60, and to give up two other men who ring every doorbell and howl all the way down the block. S20 of It Is a hardship, especially in these tiard times.

Neighbors then begin to beat their rugs George Grant J3enies That Those Who Seem Poor Are Unwelcome. Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: Permit a word of reply to "Observer's" letter which appeared In your Issue of Thursday, December 14, 1911. Strictly speaking it Is hardly worthy of notice as it simply purveys a little more of that ill-considered Jargon, which gets at nothing, but which, we doubt not, was a great relief to the author to get off his mind. When I read the letter through I could not help thinking ot the words of a renowned writer which run tnus: "What they (speaking of people In general) seem to me to be will depend upon the kind of person I am. If I ara generous, I shall think they are too; also if I am niggardly (also) If I am suspicious.

It depends upon ourselves how much of other people we are able to If the Increase of revenue to the State by these small license taxes was a ne cessity, I would not object would look it like a war tax that must be lm- bosed. But the State with increased rev gument, a wide boulevard elevated per- I haps through much of its course, and i traversing the borders of the Sound, the North River, New York and Gravesend In the back yard and perchance at the same time a coal dealer delivers coal through an iron a hand organ grinder and a fiat wheel trolley car make up a discord of sounds that fit the hearer for an insane asylum. Much ado is being made over the projects to beautify the city, but the beauties of art. architecture and landscape cannot be fully appreciated by people whoso nerves are subjected to tho constant irritation of unnecessary noise In the city streets. J.

H. W. Brooklyn, December 18, 1911. of enue does not economizo and only uses he extra money for increase of salaries, uakes new positions, creates new courts ind other sources of expenditure. Public officials in the majority of cases this State, county and city are over CHARLES M.

HIGGINS, Treasurer, Anti-Vaccination League America. 271 Ninth street, December 18, 1911. paid; and there are more clerks In pub Bays. This boulevard may be properly connected with other parkways and the new diagonal streets, and then all Brooklyn may use the waterfront. The geenral plan for the new city should Include the building of such thoroughfares as would open up the outer and suburban districts of the city, and pro HITS CONTROLLER'S OFFICE.

see." Now when I hear anyone talking of certain persons as "pretty cold-blood ic employ than there is any need for. 'ox can easily prove this by going into Lmv ripnnrtmpnt In Brooklyn. Manhattan ed propositions, and dubbing others as "soulless, conscienceless scoundrels" i Journalistic and business men of this borough who are Just bb devoted to the well, the implication is too palpable to So John A. Kake Insists, Thougk Roosevelt Denies the Proposition. Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: "Mr.

Debs and tho extremists of bis type among the so-called political Socialists I Bay so-called because Dobs and his followers of the Emma Goldman kind aro not Socialists at all ln any true sense ot the word, but moro inciters to murder, and preachers of applied anarchy." Theodore Roosevelt. Oh my! What a terrible creature Mr. Debs must be, if we cau believe all that Tneodore Roosevelt says about him; and I don't bee how Mr. Uebs Is going to run for President any mora on tho Socialist tic ket, since 4 oseveU ha3 read him out ot tho Social, at party, by declaring mat iio 13 not a Socialist. Still, 1 suppose that a lot ot peoplo will keep on voting for Dehs Just from habit.

Roosevcit has certainly made a startling discovery that will eleetrify tho country. "I think Roosevelt wants the Presidential Job himself, and he is trying to eliminate Debs from the raee by declaring that Debs isn't a Socialist. Of cou.se. If Roosevelt says so that settles It, and Ocbs hasn't got anything to say about It, and to think that 1 have been voting for Debs year after year under the Impression that ho was a Socialist, and now I must forego the pleasure of voting tor 'Dear Old Gene," il is something awful, but it can't be helped: "But it Is possible that Debs Is not so black as he is painted, and as we believe in fair play, and don't believe in condemning a man without a trial, wo will call Mr. Debs to tho bar of public opinion, and hear what he has got 10 say for himself.

"When the McNamaras were kidnapped we promptly entered our protest and made our fight in their behalf. For this we have no apology to make and not a word to take back. The McNamaras wers Democrats, not Socialists, and not only this, but they were members of the Catholic Church, whose priests were and are denouncing Socialists as uuelean. but vide easy access to these from the built- UNFAIR WAY OF ASSESSING. Albany and see the unemployed public ifflcials taking life easy and doing aa ittle as possible for the large salaries I fihey are paid.

i Instead of taxing the poor Insurance "Yebanna" Predicts "Collapse" and Says Things Are All Wrong. Editor The Brooklyn Dally Eagle: I am going to ask for space ln your paper to express my views upon the $220,000 appropriation which that great "Economic Fu6lonlst," Controller William A. Prendergast Included ln the budget of 1912 for the Investigation of the various orokers to raise a small amount through up portions, and in turn the built-up portions should be so developed that they will bo easy communicable, one with the others. These new thoroughfares will probably In most cases takes the form of diagonal boulevards, radiating from one or more town centres where the public buildings are grouped, or In these taxation, there should be a 25 per neighborhoods. Then these boulevards pursue It further.

Touching the question ot non-church-going, "Observer" must be near-sighted, for as a maater of faot not one but many ministers in this borough speak to three and even four thousand people every Sunday, and to as many more during the week. Dr. Cadmaa, Dr. Hlllls, Dr. Waters, Dr.

Clarke and many more minister to large audiences continually, and no set of men are more soundly devoted to the moral and social welfare of the community than are they. When "Observer" quotes some clergyman here as saying that churches cannot be maintained without money, what Is the writer driving at? How can they be maintained otherwise? They have to provide buildings, light, heat. Janitors, ent. cut on the salaries of all officials throughout the State, from Supreme lourt Justices down to all clerks recclv-ng more than $100 per month. Right In this town are clerks In public rfBce drawing from $3,000 to $7,000 per innum who are, not worth half what they re getting.

Economy and retrenchment departments of the city government, and may bo connected with what have been earlier referred to as encircling park ways, so for instance on may drive down which was to be borne by the taxpayers of the city, of whom Controller Prendergast is one. The spending of this vast amount of money was unnecessary, ln ocean raraway ana oe a Die to lane a kvould be much better than burdensome different course home. Just as attractive, and convenient and not much longer; so that the Shore Drive may actually lead somewhere and that it may connect axation. ANTONIO L. SPAGHETTAR.

Brooklyn, December 19, 1911. HONEST LIFE INSURANCE. with Coney Island and Ocean Parkway in some legitimate way. These encircling parkways must be planned so that they will actually connect all the scattered parks, and why cannot one of them John McGahie, Having Had Experi traverse wnat is icit or tne oiu historic King's Highway? But what about the cost of all these ence, Indorses Eagle's View. Democratic body at the present time, who would gladly lend their aid for the advancement of the Democratio party In Kings County.

Two years ago we elected the Democratic county ticket, for the first time in years. The committee of twenty-seven induced harmony or its semblance and the result was a Democratic victory. One year ago the work done by that committee (though dispersed, having completed their labors), still showed its good effect in the Democratic plurality in this county by the vote for Governor, and with the aid of a good citizens committee, Mr. McCooey will be able to land the county with a big plurality for the Democratic candidates at the national and gubernatorial election next year MICHAEL J. HANLY.

$43 Monroe street. December 18, 1911. FOR A EEAUTIFUL BROOKLYN. Some Suggestions Offered by Landscape Architect Schermerhorn. Editor The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: I hare read the accounts of the reception of D.

H. Burnham, architect, of Chicago, who was invited here by a citizens committee to discuss general measures for the development of a new city plan for Brooklyn. I also read Dr. Hulls' discourse on the subject, published In The Eagle several weeks ago. As a native Brooklyntte and still a resident there, I am glad the outlook Is now so promising toward definite action along these lines of civic Improvement, for Brooklyn, though now a borough, is still Brooklyn Town to its old residents at least, and there is still opportunity for retaining much of the city's old individual character.

A a of fact, Is far 'Editor The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Henry C. Buckhout Gives His Views of Needed Improvement. Editor Tho Brooklyn Daily Eagle: The following Is an excerpt from the editorial page of The Eagle of yesterday, and has served to prompt what I have to suggest: "New York Is to be the great business magnet of the United States for many generations, but where the people of New York live will depend upon the efforts of the different sections ot the city and suburban territory to make themselves desirable. Brooklyn seems about to take that lesson to heart and to wish to do some of the things which her great voting strength and her heavy tax rolls will cnablo her to carry through. "She cannot do that work, howevar.

If her members are to war with one another, inside the common body. It must be all for ono and one for all, If we are to see hero a city of whose aspect and whose citizenship we need not be ashamed." Tne foregoing should prove an admonition to any loyal Brooklynltes for a serious thinking as to how he or she can be a factor to the advantage of the home city. The city, however, should be fair to her property owners and remedy the present evils In tho assessment of Improved property for local taxation, and not burden them with the injustice of inequality due to an erroneous appraisement. Why should property owners, disposed to contribute to the attractiveness of the city by building expensive houses and creating pleasing environment at the expense of their personal means that Inurs? to the antage of the city improvements? Wo all desire a city beau this did not prevent us from doing our- revent us rrom doing ouf tiful and the city beautiful may be read I desire to say your editorial on "Life duty. We asked ily made to colncido with city practical, no questions, but went because they were work-I tho side of the working to their rescue insurance" is needed.

Rates are too Jilgh, I believe unjust, and I think are ingmen and on but can these tnings Do done, and will the peopla agree to them, lu the face of the present very high tax rate? Thero is all reason to believe that they can aused by high salaries, poor ability, and covctousuess, possibly view of the fact that the board now has the power to investigate any and every part of an office under our city government, and if the various officers are run in an off-hand manner it is the duty of the board to Investigate them. Mr. Prendergast, in his campaign last month, declared from the public platform on numerous occasions, that If this money was not appropriated he would see to it that it was raised elsewhere, and I believe the Mayor Is right to put It up to him to make good, and, besides, the people of the city, I believe, would like to know the source whence this money could be raised, and who it is that wants the Investigation. The Controller's office has undergone a change by Mr. Prendergast, and I dare the Controller to deny that the system Introduced by him has been a failure.

His office is now on the merge ot a collapse, and you cannot find or make head or tail of It. Where in the past the power of supervision was put ln one head, namely, the chief accountant and bookkeeper. It now lies ln the hands of at least eight different "bosses," they send you from one to another, when you want advice, and you finally wind up where you left off. The help are all discouraged and many of the new appointees inefficient. The rubber stamp men from rooms 3 and are put on other work, and the be done, without ultimately affecting taxes.

If one of the amendments recent and in some instances speaekrs who could have made a national reputation In law and politics. In every church free seats are reserved, and Btrangers are asked to occupy them, give what they can, and no more, and feel perfectly welcome to all that is provided. Could anything be morj generous and brotherly? As for tho charge that men and women are discriminated against on the score of poverty and appearance. It Is falBe to a word. I have never found It so in a single Hrook-lyn church, nor has anyone else, so we shall agree to call that the bluer of cant.

"Observer" would be better employed In attacking- evils which are Injurious to the commonwealth, and are recognized as such, than In attempting to criticise an organization of which he appears to bo woefully ignorant, but which I can assure him Is doing its best to correct every form of wrongdoing. On Church matters I am a bit of a critic myself ot times, and in a measure I was pleased to see the letter of only I wish It had said something. Doubtless the next effort will be better. GEORGE GRANT. Brooklyn, December 13, 191L I have Insurance in several companies.

tflnd one company gives me double the mount of dividend which others give. ly voted upon were passed, the city would be able to condemn land adjacent to all of that actually condemned for There are honeBt companies and dishon these various Improvements, and so bene est. I find Quaker companies most ex class. "Let ub show the workers the necessity ot uniting in one great industrial organization and one great political party, snd using the weapons of intelligence onV ln managing our warfare for liberation. "Let us show them that a united working class, with Intelligence to guide It scorns the exercise of brute force lit fighting its battles: that reason Is more effective than violence; that crime Injures those who commit it, and that tho Intellectual dynamite of the workers is far more deadly to capitalism and wag slavery than the kind used In blowing irj buildings and bridges." Eugene V.

Debs Spoken like a man and a Socialist JOHN A. KAKBi Brooklyn, December 18, 191L cellent, they are a choice people. fit by the later rise in value of this land that the entire cost would be paid: that Is. if these improvements are planned within a reasonable degree of prudence. It would be best for the State to pro- fj-.

mtlll, UIB lflnesty In any department of trado will This case has been many times Illustrated ompel the State or Nation to take harge. I wrote to our Congressmen last In tho building of parks. Most parks will increase the value of adjacent property to degree sufficient to amount to the on this life Insurance Idea: the pogues In all departments must be Iim- entire cost of the parks themselves. Kan sitea. sas City built a vast and beautiful park When, Christ says: "These shall go i r-1 fl'i net issuf a city oonu to.