Newspaper Page Text
ONE CENng
SAN' FRAXCISCO CALL. VOL. 115. NO. 21.
TANGO BAD? SLIT SKIRT WORSE? WHAT!
fudge Dunne s Caustic Advice Brings Fair Sex to Arms for Privileges
TWO SAVED
FROM BAY
WATERS
Rescuers Reach Storm Vic
tims Just in Time to Pre
vent Drowning
The storm racked waters of the
bay were today twice balked of their
ivrey just as their victims were on
the point of sinking into them to
death. C Hertgel. a sailor on the
Brltisli steamer Buenaventura, and H.
Brown of Oakland are alive, but for
hours they were face to face with
death tn the water, though they were
miles apart at the time.
For 12 hours Brown clung to the
bottom of an overturned duck boat
oft* Point Orient.
For four hours Hertgel clung to
the slippery piles of the Lombard
street wharf.
Each was rescued just In time.
Each was- completely exhausted whe n
willing hands reached down to draw
him from the chilly waters of the
bay. but both are now recovered from
their experiences.
Brown's boat was capsized in San
Pablo bay by the gale and the heavy
sea that was running. All night he
managed to hang on to the craft
while the waves dashed over his head
and the wind buffeted him. Finally
tbfl Standard Oil steamer Despatch,
commanded by Captain Barry, passed
anc th« exhausted man sighted and
tak«Mi aboard. He was revived at
Point Orient and returned to his home
this morning.
Hertgel .'•lipped on the rain pol-
gangway oT the stearf-r and
f«»ll into the water. The wind and
waves drowned the sound of his cries
Tor help. The sljppery piles to which
he clung desperately were impossible
to climb, and it was not until four
hours later that a lull in the gale
permitted two workmen to hear Hert
gel's cries for help. He was drawn
up on to tli*' wharf and pent to the
emergency hospital, where he was
revived.
EIGHT PERISH IN
INCENDIARY FIRE
NSW YORK, Per-. 31. — Kight per
sons, five men and three women, were
kl'led ;n a tenement house fire at 96
Monroe street, in the crowded East
Side district today. Fifteen persons
were injured, four seriously, by
The fire started on the ground floor,
rutting off escape by the stairway.
An hour before dawn the tenants
In tlie house were aroused by the
rries of personr in the street. Find
ing escape by way of stairway shut
off, they crowded on the tire escape
platform. Many jumped; the calmer
waited for the firemen to raise lad
ders. A few made their escape over
the roofs of adjoining tenement
houses.
All Indications were that the fire
was started by an incendiary and an
Investigation was begun.
Vienna Bids Fair to
Be Tangoless City
By Associated Press.
VIENNA, Dec. 31.—A war office
edict forbids uniformed officers to
dance the tango at public balls. As
a ma jority of the male dancers at the
important balls are army officers, the
prohibition is practically universal.
Tha burgomaster also has prohibited
dancing of the tango at the city
ball, one of the most elaborate festi
vals of the carnival season
Cabaret Dancers Woo
Senator and Preacher
f'AXTOX, 0.. Dec. 31.—Two cabaret
dancers in short skirts caused" a stir
st a banquet of the Business Mens
association 1> re last night. One tan
goed down the aisle between the
tables, playfully slapping Senator
Pomerene on the head and tried to
kiss' Rev. T. Wallis Gross behind the
car.
Cabinet of Servia
Tenders Resignation
By Associated Press.
BELGRADE. Servia. Deo. 31. —N. P.
Parhltch. the Servian premier, has
tendered to the king the resignation
of the cabinet. The war minister re
turned several days ago owing to the
refusal of the ministry to pass the
*ax budget.
PART TWO
NEWEST DANCE AND LATEST
SKIRT START MERRY WAR
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Crane, society exponents of the tango, and Judge Frank H. Dunne, who
frowns on new step.. "I'm guilty on both counts," was Mrs. Crane's plea to the charge.
QUACKS ROUTED
IN COURT FIGHT
The state board of medical exami
ners won a signal victory today when
Superior Judge George 11. Cabaniss
denied a writ of habeas corpus en
tered by Homer C. Edwards and W. S.
Card* quack specialists charged with
attempting to bribe A. J. McDonald, a
special agent in the employ of the
examiners.
Ed wards and Card are accused of
attempting to bribe McDonald with
$25 with the understanding that they
were not to be prosecuted in the cam
paign waged recently by The Call-
The denial of the writ means that
Edwards and Card will be forced to
face a jury on McDonald's accusations.
Shouted Warning When
Booth Shot Lincoln
By Associated Press.
ST. PAUL. Minn.. Dec. 31.—Colonel
Henry T. Bevans, civil war veteran
and member of the secret service de
tail guarding President Lincoln the
night of his assassination, died at his
home here yesterday. Colonel Bevans
saw John Wilkes Booth enter the
president's box, and shouted a warn
ing just as the assassin opened fire.
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
QUICK DIVORCE
FOR MRS. BIBB
Judge Tromt today honjs a record
for the speed and secrecy with which
litigants desiring divorces may be ac
commodated. The court granted an
interlocutory decree of divorce to Mrs.
Clara Bibb from Dandridge Hunt Bibb,
former state senator and wealthy
lumber man. without the usual for
mality of having the case calendared.
He gave a similar decree to Mrs. Cath
erine A_ Workman from Charles H.
Workman, president of the Workman
Packing company, within a few hours
after her complaint had been tiled.
The testimony of Mrs. Bibb was to
the effect that her husband deserted
her June 1. 1911.
Veteran Explorer to
Make Antarctic Dash
LONDON', Dec. 21.- Louis de Rouge
mrint. the veteran explorer who is
now in London, has become infected
with the "pole" fever and announces
that he is organizing an expedition
which will leave next fall to explore
the antarctic regions. De Rongeinont
said Sir Richard Lucas Tooth, the Aus
tralian millionaire, had guaranteed to
furnish him $250,001*,
SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1913
Every Walk of Life Has Its
Comment to Make on
Judge Dunne's Views
Ye who bclleie In polka and crino
line.
Ac who believe In st'les that are ugly
and ancient.
Mat to tola tale of dejection
Now anne by the wallflowers and prim
dames;
Mat to tbl n panning of nlit skjrt and
tango
Ia San Francisco,
Home of the turkey trot:
SHALL, the tango tango on? Shall
the slit skirt keep Its slit? Solo
mon Dunne got peevish and he
told them both to ••git." Seven women,
honest voters, gave the judge a lash
ing. He came back with some re
form talk, "You're a liar," unabash
ing. "Kill the tango, sew the slit
skirts and your names will be re
nowned!' Then the women, guilty
mostly, swished their skirts and madly
frowned.
Is the law offended at a show of
pretty calf? Methinks I see the genus
male turn half aside and laugh. And
is the tango knocked because its hard
on brittle bones, and Dunne sits on
the side lines while his dancing mate
he loans?
Staid business men and women
sharp, who know a thing or two. are
on the bit because the styles have
raised tiullabaloo. Some nick the
judge, some say he's line; some speak
your thoughts and some speak mine.
We think It all comes under "news,"
so here you see the interviews;
"Guilty"—Mrs. Crane
Mrs. Douglas Crane—l'm guilty on
both counts. I wear a slit skirt and
1 love the tango. I can't see any
thing wrong in either. As a mat
ter of fact all of this storm raised
about the tango is due to ignorance;
any dance that has not been seen
here before, whether it comes from
the Barbary coast or the Y. W. C.
A., is called a tango. There is no
harm In the slit skirt; the evil Is
in the mind of the wearer or ob
server. Neither is the evil in the
slit skirt display of leg—or limb
as some call it here, though in my
country we are not ashamed of the
word leg—unless it is made with
evil intention or seen with evil
thought. One should look at a
woman's face and not what she is
wearing or dancing to tell what
kind of a woman she Is.
OPINIONS OF JUDGES-NOT EN BANC
Court Divided in Unofficial Talk
WHAT JUDGE DUNNE SAID:
"If you women want to do some good why dont you go out and stop this tango
dancing and sew up the slit shirts?"
HERE ARE- DISSENTING OPINIONS
Superior Judge E. P. Mogan —I
am practicing the tango, but have
not enoi'Si> proficiency to be in a
position to judge whether it is a
deuce that can be .Tilsconstrued.
Therefore I can not express an
opinion, but will keep up my prac
tice daily. With regard to the
slit skirt, I think that is a ques
tion that had better be left to a
jury of women.
Superior Judge John J. Van Nou
tran d—lt's all a personal equa
tion, this tango and this s-litted
skirt. I don't dance the tango my
self on account of increasing
weight. When the tango is danced
by respectable people it shows
nothing immodest to my mind. The
dance, ipso facto, contains noth
ing wrong, but it can be made a
dissolvent of morals. I never had
a damage suit in my court result-
Saperlor Judge .lames Tronlt — I
went to see a tango dance once by
professionals. I could not distin
guish the tango from an}' other
violent and repulsive kind of step.
I had a very charming young lady
assume to explain it, but when she
got through I could only see one
likeness in It to the turkey trot
or the rag—they were all unat
Tango Moral —Fickert
District Attorney Fickert —The tango
Itself is a moral dance. It all de
pends on who dances the tango.
The most objeetional dame is the
rag and 1 am against it. The slit
skirt, in my opinion, is not objec
tionable if worn modestly.
Slits Unnecessary She Says
Mr*. BMM VJartln —According to
strict .usage slit skirts should not
be. There is no necessity for them
and they are not even pretty. As
for the tango. I am not a fair judge.
I 'have seen it danced beautifully
and think it remarkably graceful.
My preference is for tlie old forms,
but I have never seen any real
harm in the newer dances. They
are only passing amusements in
any case and are more healthful
than many other forms of enter
tainment.
No Harm In Either
>lr«. Man MarDonnld—l see no more
harm in tangoing or ragging than
In any of the other dances. As for
the slit skirts, what the majority
of the women wear is all right,
and as for the others, you will
never be able to stop them.
"Beautiful" —Mrs. Monsarrat
Mr*, s n muel Monsarrat —The harm
in dancing depends on the indi
vidual. In the tango, as danced
here, there is nothing unrefined.
On the contrary, it is beautiful.
Ballroom Dance, Stage Skirt
Supervisor Paul Bancroft In my
opinion the tango is a dance that
belongs on the stage rather than
in the ballroom. In the same con
nection tlie slit skirt has Its place,
if any. behind the footlights. It
strikes me. however, that it is a
very convenient garment for this
rainy weather.
"Judge Dunne Right"
Warn. C#cM Marraekl agree with
Judge Dunne. I think the tango
when extreme, is wicked; when not.
it is pretty. In B*n Francisco I am
sorry to say I think both it and
tne slit skirt are exaggerated and
both should be reformed.
Not In Jurist's Line
W. I. Broheck It seems to me that
such things as the tango and the
slit skirt are matters outside of
the jurisdiction of any jurist. In
my opinion dress is largely a mat
ter of taste. I would leave it to
the good sense of tlie women. 'if
course the propriety a 9 some styles
and fancies are always questioned,
but I for one would not want to
mark a line and say to women, be
yond this you can not go and re
tain the respect of the community.
Standards change so rapidly the
new often is a shock.
No Need of Reform
Mr*. IMee Best I do not think .ludge
Dunne meant to be taken seriously.
Both slit skirts and tango dancing
are passing fancies and what evil
there is will work out itself. I
personally see no great need of
reform In San Francisco a3 far as
either ia concerned.
Matt J. Sullivan~Bars Self
Matt I. Sullivan —There are many ex
perts on those subjects in San
Francisco and I am not qualified.
Being a bachelor. I think I should
judgi not where the tango and the
slit skirt is at bar.
Too Much Lid Even Now
H. Markoe of N. W. Halsey & Co. —
Any persons walsting their time
agitating against anything as harm
less as the tango and the slit skirt
ought to devote their attention to
something they understand. There
is too much ltd here now, without
placing a ban on innocent fads.
Need Moderation
Mn. Randolph V. Whiting —1 believe
that everything should be done in
moderation and> that neither the
tango nor slit skirts is hafj&f"! un
less carried to excess.
PAGES 9 TO 14
ing either from the hobble or the
slit skirt, but I would not think it •
right to go to the extreme in either
fashion.
Superior Judge Crothersi Neither
the tango nor the slit skirt has
been brought to my judicial at
tention, but speaking unofficially,
I would say that neither of them
should be discussed in their ex
treme forms. The tango might
be exaggerated by some people,
but the slit skirt should never be
exaggerated. •
Superior Judge *• E. Graupner—
t indorse the sentiment of the lady
who told Judge, Dunne that the
tango may be danced gracefully or
disgracefully. I believe that a well
dressed woman is always modestly
dressed, no matter what the fash
ion may be—l think that is true.
THESE JUDGES CONCUR
tractive. As for slit skirts, per
sons will follow the styles whether
they are wise or otherwise, ret a
slit skirt is better than a hobble,
I should imagine, when weireTS "f
the hobble are liable to tumble
while walking.
Superior Judge John Hunt —It is
fitting, in my opinion, that the
Need Not Look, Says Judge
Judge Clayton Herrlngton — I have
never seen the tango. 1 am too old
and "sot" in my ways to pass
Judgment. As for the slit skirt. 1
say It is a feminine privilege. He
that hath eyes to see, can keep them
above the waist line should his
gaze be offended below.
Can't Stop Tango
CbartefJ Cooke. manager Fairmont
hotel—The city is dance mad and
tango mad and you might as well
try to stop a runaway engine with
a feather, as to try to stop it. Our
most gentlemanly and womanly
citizens indulge in it and I think
it a reflection on their characters
to say the tango is improper. If
It were it would not find a place in
our drawing rooms and in our ball
rooms.
Graceful and Captivating
Chester Kelly, manager Manx hotel —
No one can deny that the tango
has entangled the hearts of the
dancing population and that, it is a
graceful, captivating pastime. There
is not the slightest reason why it
should be abolished. You find the
best type of Americans dancing it
in every city and this would not he
the case if it were Immoral or sug
gestive. The slit skirt is all right
if it is not too "slit," and even then
It is rather attractive.
Tango Dignified, Says Pastor
R«. Bradford l.eavltt —I hardly think
Judge Dunne*! statement should be
taken too seriously. But at the
same time his advice is very sound.
The ladies should take up the
matter of tbe slit skirt and make a
tight to do away with It.
The men seem to be the principal
objectors to the slit skirt; the
women appear to accept it as a
matter of course, no matter "how
daring.
As for the tango. I think it is a
dignified and fascinating dance as
I have seen it. It. like any other
dance, can be exaggerated and made
objectionable.
Skirts Destroy Illusions
Habbl J. TVielo -The slit skirt? Well,
to be frank. T think the women de
stroy our illusions by exhibiting
their limbs when we would rather
not see them.
As for the tango, 1 think it Is a
very beautiful and graceful dance,
and can not see the slightest objec
tion to it when it is properly
danced. Any dance, however, may
be made objectionable; it depends
on who dances it.
Tango Beautiful —Rabbi Levy
Babbl M a S. Levy—l think our women
dress very sensibly. Much better
than in any other part of the world.
If a few women go to extremes in
tlie matter of dress I do not think
the majority should be condemned
on account of it.
As for the tango. 1 thuik it a
beautiful dance when properly
done. There is nothing whatever
objectionable or harmful as I have
seen it danced.
"Thing of Beauty and Joy"
William A. tarne —Both the tango
and the silt skirt may be classified
under the generic ' heading. "a
thing of beauty and a joy forever."
The tango is the medium of many
a little family party that keeps the
boys and girls at home and all tlie
arguments are for the slit skirt.
It sharpens visions and keeps pe
destrians occupied in leisure min
utes.
Skirts Furnish Amusement
Supervisor Ralph MeLeran —We hear
a great deal these days about pro
viding proper amusement for the
public, and 1 know of nothing that
has given the people more interest
ing entertainment than the slit
skirt. I therefore can not see why
those who have produced it should
lead in an attack upon it. For the
tango, I would suggest that we
open more dancing schools for it
What the American people need is
grace.
SECTION 2
<
56 -PRICE ONE CENT
Superior Judge Thomas F. Gra
ham —Tangoing is good for the
young, the middle aged and the
old. I have been trying out a few
steps In the ballroom at my home,
and I find that it is exhilarating
and healthful and that It requires
weeks of practice to become pro
ficient. There are .other dances
that might become suggestive, but
the tango is graceful and intricate.
We do not need a crusade against
the tango, but might against the
slit skirt.
Superior Judge Franklin A, Grif
fin—l do not believe in restricting
the liberty of any woman to dance
any dance or wear any kind of a
skirt. I certainly can Intrust them
with the discretion to wear what
is becoming and at the same time
eminently proper for any pair of
masculine eyes.
question should be left with
Brottter Dunne, as he is an expert
on the subject of the tango, and I
have grV-at deference for his opin
ion both in that matter and in
that of wearing apparel. Now
that the question has become a
matter of official record, I intend
to go out and find out for myself
what this tango is.
Mayor Rolph Passes It Up
Mayor Rolph—As my time is occupied
only with sucli small matters as
the Hetch Hetchy affair, the build
ing of municipal railways and the
condemnation of Spring Valley, I
would respectfully refer this mo
mentous problem of the slit skirt
and the tango to those who have
had more experience—Supervisors
Payot and Murdock of the public
■welfare committee. I would suggest
that they make a full and ex
haustive investigation and favor
the community with a written re
port on their findings. I would be
most happy to read this report,
which would be more than inter
esting.
Girl's Dresses Need Reform
Mr*. W. H. Campbell, vice president
of the Oceanslde Women's club-
There could certainly be some re
form in the dress of girls just now.
It is a disgrace. As for the tango.
I have never seen it danced. How
ever, there is harm in all sorts of
things if you want to/make them
harmful or to find harm in them.
Does Not See Any Harm
Mrs. < urler l,ee —My own viewpoint
of these things is necessarily lim
ited. I probably do not see the ex
tremes that Judge Dunne sees, but
from what 1 know of San Fran
cisco, 1 see no exaggeration and
consequently no harm in either.
Personally 1 am much in favor of
the tango. As for the slit skirts,
it depends upon who wears them,
and how.
"Difficult, buFßeautiful"
Supervisor j. Kmmett Hayden—ln the
street dancing recently inaugurated
the tango does not appear to be pop
ular. It is too difficult a dance for
the ordinary dancer to properly exe
cute, but, from my observance of it,
I think that it is one of the most
beautiful and graceful maneuvers
ever essayed by the disciples of
Terpsichore. The slit skirt depends
entirely on the way you look at j,t.
"Square Dance Best"
Superintendent of Schools Ronoovierl.
I regret to see the decline of the
old dances, the quadrille, polka,
sehottiscln; and the lancers,. These
promoted grace, and purity of mind
and body. It is a tendency of all
people to assimilate the worst cus
toms and expressions from foreign"
nations. Certainly the tango was
not a part of my education, and I
know very little about It, but I re
peat that the square dance had a bet
ter Influence. As for the slit skirt,
fortunately the styles change fre
quently, and It is not a serious or
permanent problem. I should say
that the question rests entirely upon
the length of the sift, and I am not
a judge.
"Not Vulgar"—Mrs. Brown
Mrs. Herbert Hamilton Brown of
Piedmont - -The tango as I have
seen if darned is not in the lea-st
objectionable, to my mind. Of
course, l have seen only the best
dancers, and know nothing of the
vulgar phases of it, if there be any.
I think that the women of this
country should, if they have time
from their duties to their husbands
and their children, interest them
selves in public affairs, but never
to the extent that they neglect their
homes. In my mind, however, there
are many women devoting several
afternoons a week to bridge* or
dancing who rould better employ
their time looking into the big
political reforms so necessary to
the welfare of the country.
Ask Laumeister, He Knows
Frederick Churchill, secretary board
of public works—The opinion of the
commissioners of the board of works
is unanimous on the tango and the
slit skirt as expressed by Commis
sioner Laumeister.
Laumeister Approves It
<". S. Laumeister, commissioner, board
of works —The plans and specifica
tions of the tango stand approved.
It is one of the most graceful of all
dances. Slit skirts are attractive,
but there is a limit
BULLET HOLE
CLEW TO
AUTO
Hunt Fatal Joy Ride Car.
Bearing Ball From Police
man's Gun
A long, black seven passenger auto,
mobile with a bullet In it is beina
sought today by the police, who want
to apprehend its driver as the man
who last night ran over and seriously
injured George Buttle, the 9 year old
son of State Railroad Policeman
George Buttle.
A good description of the car waj
obtained by Patrolman Johnson, who
saw the machine strike the boy and
then rush away, leaving him lvlng
bleeding in the road. Johnson drew
his- revolver and fired three shots at
the automobile, and he is confident
that one shot struck it.
Elimer Moore, chauffeur for X J.
Costello. president of O'Connor, Mof
fatt & Co., today was bound over to
the superior court by Police Judgs
Sullivan, charged with driving away
in his machine after striking 1* year
old Audrey Plitsch. 1449 Divisadero
street, last Friday. Moore's bonds
were flxtd at 13,000.
The police courts yesterday estab
lished a record that undoubtedly it
being taken by the joy riders as a
warning of what they may expect If
they are caught violating the law.
Seven automobilists were convicted of
violating the traffic ordinances and,
for once, not one of them was dis
missed. Five were fined from $5 t«
$50, the two other cases being con
tinued.
Harry F. Hansen, 1021 Laguna
street, was fined $25 for driving his
car on the left side of a streetcar at
Polk and Geary streets.
Fred B. Weise, 331 Park street,
paid $20 for speeding his machine at
Geary and Polk streets.
Walter Grossman, 702 Seventh
street, was fined $20 for driving on ths
left side of a streetcar.
DENTIST IS (OM ICTED
Dr. Fred Berkalaw. a dentist, was
convicted of driving his machine on
the wrong side of Grant avenue. Sen
tence was postponed.
Thomas Piercy was convicted of
driving at the rate of 28 miles an
hour in Market street. Sentence wait
postponed to permit of his record be
ing looked np.
Hay Splivalo paid a fine of $5 for
violating the traffic ordinance.
Paul Kagan of the Belvedere hotel
was fined $.".n for driving 23 miles an
hour at Geary and Polk streets Sun
day night.
BOYS HI N DOWN
Two small boys were painfully in
jured today in automobile accidents
in the downtown district.
S. Stohlman. 15 years old. 160 Cas
elli avenue, was run down at Market
and Montgomery streets by an auto
driven by C. H. Holdsworth, 45R Do
lores street. The lad incurred a
sprain of the right leg and bruises on
the arm.
Daniel Lynch, 13 years old. 45ft3
Eighteenth street, was hit at Post
and Stockton streets. Young Lynch
! was treated for a scalp wound. J. B.
Dodson, 17 46 Geary street, who drove
the machine, was charged with bat
tery, as was Holdsworth in the Stohl
man accident.
Artist Starves to
Death in His Studio
By Associated Press.
PARIS. Dec. 31. —f he body of Vinee
las Pelzynskl, an artist of promise,
has been found in his studio. Hi*
death revealed one of the most pitiful
tragedies of the Latin quarter In
years. He came to Paris a few
months ago, but did not meet with
success. His funds were finally re
duced to an extent necessitating the
pawning of even his clothes and bed
ding. The intense cold finished the
work begun by starvation.
Chinese Federals
Rout Rebel Troops
By Associated Prest.
SHANGHAI. Dec. 31. —Five thousand
loyal troops have entered Talifu, In
the province of Yunnan, which recent,
ly was recaptured by the government
from mutinous regiments under Gen,
eral Yeng Hu-Pin. The reinforce
ments marched from Yunnan-Fu and
fought three engagements on the way.
Although order has been restored at
Talifu, executions are occurring daily.
Steamer Tasman Being
Towed to Island Port
SYDNEY. Aus.. Dec. 31.—The steam
er Tasman, with her passengers
aboard, is being towed from Bramhla
bay in the gulf of Papua, where she
went aground Sunday, to Thursday
Island. The cause of the accident la
given as the strong sea set toward
Bramble may produced by the steady
monsoon. There is no light on ths
bay, but It is expected that the Aus«
tralian government will now erect
one.
Wrong Addresses; Skunk
Hides and Gems Held
By As«ociated Pre«s.
CHICAGO, Deo. 31.—-Because of 11.
legal or incorrect addresses, mor*.
than 13,000 pieces of mail are piled
up in the Chicago postofflce awaiting
delivery. The packages contain al»
most everything, from skunk hides t*.
rinir**-
