Evening Star Newspaper, January 7, 1921, Page 6

to be relieved by “Adams,” it must be|a long step in the right diredti again separated into units for the{may well be that, aroused to ah ap- care of the ynaximum number of imme- | preciation of the indicateq menace, diate calls. The problem for the tele-|Congress will see the expediency. of phone company to solve is the deter-|making the step even longer, of ap- mination of just how far this process]propriating more than four million can continue. dollars for work contemplated under ‘While complaints of telephone serv-{the bill during the coming fiscal year. ice are chronic, they are not justified | Several times that sum would be none during recent morths. While the war-|too much to make an effective start, THE EVENING STAR, With Sendsy Morning Edition, e WASHINGTON, D. C. ' PRIDAY........January 7, 1921 Ems T b THEODORE W. NOYES. .. /Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Ofice, 11th 8t. and ania Ave. 2 Byl 3 time Kew I-; m,' Fm- ‘w;g“am_ congestion prevailed here the in co-operation with the states, in re. habilitating one of the most)fnportant But whether England. | Phone system became greatly over- ; 8 Regeat St., Loodon, taxed. The government’s use of the!of American resources. The Star, Sunday morning | wires multiplied many times, and]final action when taken js to be on :gl.tb-..i'fl':flnna n{‘e::lrl'em'g"“‘:{,fi there was little chance to enlarge the | the Snell bill as drafted, or on some equipment. Now the service is nor-| measure of larger scope and more mal again and despite occasional|generous appropriations, let us have ‘‘wrong numbers"—which may be due |action, and that soon. to poor calling by the phone users— and broken wconnections it may be said that Washiington enjoys an excep- tionally spredy and courteous response| The burning of the state capital of to its calls. West Virginia at Charleston, with In thig connection it may be sug-|Practically all of the official records gested that the change in the style Of the commonwealth, is a warning to of the telephone book, placing the|Congress to spare no funds for the numbeis at the end of the line in-jearly construction of fire-resisting if stead. of at the beginning, is not at|not completely fireproof archives stor- pres.nt satisfactory to the majority |3ge quarters here and the replacement of phone users. Continued use for the|at the earliest practical time of the period of the edition, however, may|fire-inviting buildings that now house prove that this is the better way. It|Some of the government offices. It is is worth trying out. notorious that some of these public structures are veritable fire trap: They were built long before the de- Public Records in Danger. Gen. Gfowder in Cuba. Gen. Crowder’s mission to Cuba is delicate and dificult. The situation in the island, both political and finan- cial, is ticklish. The Cubans take their politics gather heatédly. They have recently .held a presidential election,! and a, squabble has resulted. The! velopment of fire-resisting materials two jes are at loggerheads, easrh % and construction methods. They we nccuflp;lr; the other of skulduggery in | th¢ Supreme Court last Monday to the | gogigneq solely for utility and orion the campaigning and at the polls.|¢ffect that under the antitrust stat-| .oyrity. They are now not only con- The business world, which includes|Utcs labor unions are enjoined from|gegteq with clerks, but stuffed with the planting world, is much disturbed. | ®N838ing in secondary boycolts, alprnjture and papers. 1In some of The price of sugar, the island’s great|movement has becn started for the|inem modern steel filing cases have staple, has fallen to a figure which (fepeal of those laws. Heretofore or-{p.cn installed. In others tinderlike causes loud complaint. Ruin is star.|€anized labor has regarded the anti-| o SR S0 M O ing many persons in the face. trust enactments prohibiting certain{ ¢ matter how' substantial and fire. Here are ingredients, of serious trade restraints on the part of capi- proof an archives building may be trouble. Resolutions hare grown out |2l s good and wholesome for thef ongtructed for ‘the care of the per- of less. economic health of the country. Now manent records of the government, there will remain thousands of tons Trusts or Boycotts? As a reaction from the decision of We have no desire to intervene, and | {hat the highest court has held that the majority of the Cubans do not|they apply to all, without discrimina-|4¢ gocumentary material on file in the want us to intervene. But our duty | tion. they are anathema. public offices that cannot be trans- under the Platte amendment is clear.| ThiS is not an unfamiliar spectacle. | forreq to a central storage point. These 1t Cuba falls into disorder, or shows|It makes all the difference in the|gre the current files that must be kept unmistakable stgns of doing so, we|WO'ldl Whose ox is gored. There is nofa¢ nand for ready reference. Their must step in and take charge. There;}2W that pleases everybody. In the|gestruction would throw the govern- will be nothing else to such a condi- ¢3¢ Of the Sherman and Clayton acts,| ment into chaos and entail enormous amiaevsiides the latter of which supposedly pre-|jogs. As The Star stated the other day,)|'onted the former specifically from| Tnere should not be a single wooden it will be-easier for us to go in than |C¥iecking the boycott enterprise of the|gling case or exposed document con- %o get out. And if we go in we shall | DOr unions, the trusts themselves,ainer in the entire government serv. want to get out. It will not be to our {¢F the business elements making|ice. Every item of fire risk should be interests to stay longer than to un-f'rusts possible, have been always|reduced to the minimum. The United tangle the tangle, and start mel*""“”-" hostile. But they have yielded, | states carries no insurance. In fact threads to running smoothly again. |With rather bad grace, and with much|;t could not be insured against the loss We have our hands full at home. appealing to the courts and endeavor | tnat s possible in a blaze in any one So let us hope that Gen. Crowder|t0 delay and thwart the operation of | of the public offices. No money could succeeds. He is the very man for the |the 1aW, and though by subterfuge|replace the records that are hourly ex- mission. He has been to Cuba be- and device they have in some cases posed to destruction there. fore in an advisory capacity, ang | managed to evade the strict provi- - —ae knows the e and “the lay of thpe |SiONS against pricefixing, product- neopd & ®|controlling combinations, they have| A Eemeral spirit of confidence is | land.” generally accepted the decree. e EAERE el st TIRN long as the statutes were held to be|America has abandoned no principles The Two Parties and Economy. |; rerative against the labor combi.|2d sacrificed no ideals as a result Gov., Miller's first message to the|nations they were rated as good laws, |°f the years of world trial, and is New York legislature is in the key of { Now that by decision of the court]|F¢2dY to take up progress in her ap- economy. He wants taxes reduced,|they are ruled to be operative to pro- pointed lines without loss of enthu- and all unnecessary places under the state government abolished. Both parties indorse his sentiments and pledge him support. The leaders of his'own party in the legislature. ap- pland him generously. The demo- cratic leader in the Senate and/ the democratic leader in the ass¢mbly unite in this statement: “Gov. Mliller's proposals for economy will have the hibit all forms of trade restraint, whether by capital or by labor, they are declared to be bad laws, and the demand is voiced for their repeal. Can a law be framed which will|raise serious doubts as to whether satisfy the needs of the public in re-|the service lost is not worth much spect to the regulation of the trusts|more than the money gained. and at the same time permit groups of people to combine and seek the de- struction of business? Is there any warmest support of the demscraticiessential difference between the or- party in the legislature. message is commendable His first ganization of a trust that drives small to Canada and Australia. producers and dealers out of the trade ‘This spirit is spreading. There has|ficld and the’ or; ‘ganization of a labor Been 80 much waste, and pliices have | poycott that aims at the closing of _ been 80 greatly multiplied,, the drain upon the public wallet severywhere|preme Court has said that there is no|Society publication has been unprecedented. ‘The question is above yarty, as both parties are confessing;/and as both parties are talking in/the same key and moving to the sarhe erid, healthy conditions should, with no great diffi- culty, be reestablished. But not all at once. Time is an element. The peopl¢ must be patient. ‘We have strayed a considerable way from the middle of the road—further than was intended, or than was noted while we were og the move. The pe- riod was one of ¢xtreme excitement. Now that they excitement is subsid- ing, and people are getting steady “peepers” on the situation, there is no reason why, the two parties co-oper- ating, there ghould not be a return to normal, with waste cut out and taxes receding. ——— New York theater ticket specu- lators are now accused of irregular- ity with/ reference to the amusement tax. If the tax straightens out this particllar form of imposition the paying public will regard it as well ‘worth the expense. Many Fiume citizens will wonder ‘whether when D’Annunzio left that part of the map he took most of the town with him. Coal profiteering suggests as ynuch underground work as the proc¢ss of * mining itself. — e Telephone Matters. ' Omly u few years ago, relatively, talephone service in the District com- prised gch a small number of sub- actibers that all were serped through ome exchange. A phone/ had merely a number, which sufficefl in the.call- markets to an employer? The Su- difference, under the statutes as writ- ten. If organized labor, believes that it should have the right to boycott it must consent to the repeal of the pro-|cards are reluctant about printing |thusiast, hibition against trust trade combina- tions. But will the people generally consent? The “third party” to the trade relationship, the consumer, may demand a hearing, and though unor- ganized he may have to be heeded, be- cause he is the overwhelming majority in this, as in any other country. —_————— ‘Wagnerian opera is being success- fully performed in Paris. Germany’s intelligence has always been better represented by its musiclans and poets thuan by its politicians. —_———— Senator Borah’s attitude on arma- ment and the inauguration is in the nature of consistent effort to limit both. human fighting and human re- joicing. ——— Forgery of labels, permits and the like tend to make the exterior of the bottle as much an ob’~ct of sus- picion as the interior. Action on the Forestry Problem. ‘The forest resources of the United States are being consumed much fast- er than they are being replaced. Grasp that fact and its significance, whether you are a plain citizen or a member of Congress representing some thousands of plain citizens. And when the fact has been grasped and the cold figures in the case hav. been digested get down to the business of insisting that this condition of affairs, with its obvi- ous menace to the industrial progress of the nhation, shall be changed. For it can be changed. The only thing ing. Then came more ghone use, with | that is needed to make the fact read, & multiplication of callg, and a branch | station was set up, scalled “North,” the ceatral portion of the city be- coming “Main.” Quickly thereafter more exchanges wete estiblished, un- til the nomenclatyre of telephony be- ~came extensive. There were added “Cotambls,” a#1 “Lincoln,” “The forest resources of the United States are belng replaced faster than! they are being consumed,” is action. The action of the private citizen need only be to pick out the congressman best known at the Capitol and im- press him with the fears which are|The climate makes a general hit. and | felt. *Waest,” and “Qleveland,” and finally | sponsible for any continuation of the If we could only bottle it His action, as one directly re- ®Feankiin,” tur' the-subdivision. of the |existing state of affairs, need merely panrtzal partoy. be to see that some bill which will New ancthe exchange tsannoupced, | blot out-the unfavorable difference be- So¥® put in service next week. This|tween consumption and distribution *Adgms,” and will com-|becomes a law in the immediate fu- Three Finger Sam from. the poker . 'y«ie & lerge residentia] area, in sub- | ture. ! diviaon, of cne of the northern ex- changes. That will make ejght differ-| But it may readily be righted tomorrow | s egotism. , et esncentrations of lnes witbin the ‘The beanch exchange is a material { words of one syllable, that men need|of a divine right that prevented any-!mately and . convenfence to both phone user and|wood, yet that in a few years there body from ever holdin’ four aces ex- It permits a more equal{will be no wood in our land if we do cept himself.” / company. ‘The situation is all wrong today. if, awaking to the gravity of a con- dition ~of affairs which assures us, in beartng of the burden of the traffic.{not end waste and plant new trees, , A great many phone calls are within | the nation will stop whispering, “Too the range of an exchange, and these |bad+such a menacing situation,” and have & better chance for immediate | entér a demand, in precise and audible conpection than if they had to pass|terms, for remedial action. through the central switchboard. As| There is a measure before Congress, a subdivision becomes congested, as|under the title of the Snell forestry In the case of “Columbix,” now about{till which, if made a law, would be|any more use of arguing about it.” fl siasm. —_—————————— Economies which involve dropping employes of the government always ——— California may yet see her way clear to quit worrying about any Japanese questions and leave them ———— A metropolitan soclety publication has been sued for libel. A discreet confines itself strictly to the politest of untruths. ——————————— Food prices are reported to be go- ing down, but some of the menu the news. ——————— Every patriotic citizen hopes there will be no opportunity for umbrella speculators next 4th of March. Some of the Germans are inviting the ex-kaiser to return to Berlin. Others are daring him. ———— SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Everyday * Mysteries. *“This much I do not understand,” Said Hezekiah Bings. “I don’t know why a friendly hand TUnto another clings With such a sense of cu.."dence ‘When things are going wrong, And makes the universe immense A realm of smiles and song. “I don't know why the roses bloom, Nor why the snowflakes fall; Nor why the stars dispel the gloom— And yet I love them all. And life, though wisdom’s way is grand, Seems sweetest for the hings I cannot hope to understs.qd,” Said Hezekiah Bings. Self-Consciousness, “What is your idea of a true states- man?’ asked the scribe. “Young man,” rejoined Senator Sorghum, “I am willing to give you an interview, but I haven't time. for a full biography.” Jud Tunkins says his automoblle unexpectedly quits work and de- mands more money, the same as if it had human intelligence. January Sunshine. The future would be far more gay For next fnauguration day. The Egoist. “I understand you have barred me.” “Yes,’ answered Cactus Joe, “for “How do you mean, ‘egotism’?"” “He got an idea he had some kind Saving His Energy. “So you are for prohibition?" “I am,” replied Uncle Bill Bottle- top. “For what reason?” “The simple reason that there isn't o * Editorial Digest “Industrial Court” on Trial Again. The recent decision of the Kansas industrial court, once more plunged into publicity in the case against the millers who were accused of closing down their plants in order to force up the price of flour, has this time brought forth more unfriendly com- ment from the press than it did last spring, when it decided that the coal miners had no right to strike while the public shivered. The statement of the court that “essential indus- tries” should keep a certain minimum of “skilled and and faithful employes” on the pay roll in slack seasons as well 28 normal has met with a storm of criticism. On the other hand, the fact that the millers’ case was dis- missed aroused' scatching comment from other quarters. A number of newspapers are un- certain as to what the significance of the court action is. Among them is the Bridgeport Telegram (independ- ent), which admits it is difficult to tell whether the Kansas body is mak- ing “economic histor: or “economic nonsense.” - From Kansas itself comes the opin- fon, expressed in the Wichita Beacon (independent), that the decision was “'wholesome,” and an added footnote that it is wrong for critics to assume that “the court may arbitrarily com- pel a mill to run”; its powers are simply the “broad and simple police Dowers of government,” which are not applied “except where the public is endangered.” To the Springfield R publican (indpendent) it broad and simple as it may seem uppose a firm were made insolvent by “strict application of the prin- ciple of the faithful and efficient worker's right to employment.” it suggests, then, “Would the state view the fall complacently as the failure of the unfit to survive, or would it prepare itself to assume the conduct of the industry as a public obliga- tion?" The New York Globe (independent) also doubts that the court can force upon employers the responsibility of providing for workmen under all conditions, though it shows how it was free to judge labor without check. The Wheeling Intelligencer (re- publican) considers suggesting that certain employes be kept on pay rolls in. slack time is nothing startling, since “it is the usual practice, so fa as possible, in all occupation: and “it will be observed that the court says that employers ‘should’ do these things and not that they ‘must’ do them.” But the Toledo News Bee (independent) says: “Having tried to enslave the employe, the Kansas court now proceeds to rivet the shackles on the employer. In both instances it reveals fitself poorly l:rounded in business sense and legal ore.” ‘Without making a direct charge against the economic basis of the court’'s awards, the Chicago Dally News (independent) implies its weaknesses by asking: “What happens if employers are unable to pay living wages, or in- deed any wages, to men laid off tem- porarily, or to pay fall wages to men working only part time? I8 the state prepared to subsidize the employers thus circumstanced? And why does the law, 80 benevolent to skilled em- ployes, turn its back on the unskilled employes in the same essential in- dustries? Does not the state of Kan- sas need unskilled as well as skilled labor, and are not unskilled laborers entitled to a living wage?” A western labor view of the de- cision, expressed from a legal stand- point and covering the principle back of the court, is set forth by the San Francisco Labor Clarion, which thinks the idea of the court “is based on bad or immature consideration.” Although reflecting the opposite opinion,.the Wall Street Journal (in- dependent) objects to the equity of the decision, declaring that it pro- vides “wages for idleness’ and as- sumes that ‘“capital once committed to a business may not be withdrawn hen the business proves unprofita- e. A similar expression comes from the New York Times (independent democrat), although that paper makes it plain that it does not wish ‘to carp,” but merely “to show a warm and lively interest” in this vital and difficult problem with which the Kansans are trying to cope. But the plan is not without its stanch supporters, who, like the Pittsburgh Leader (progressive re- publican), believe that “the opinion delivered the other day by the Kan- sas court of industrial relations will be ranked in legal history with the momentous judicial decisions of the world dealing with human privileges and obligations.” The Grand Rapids Herald (republican) is another en- which declares that, “like the motor car, we shall some day wonder that there was ever & time when the ‘Kansas idea’ didn’t every- where exist and function. War Finance to the Rescue. Congress has overruled the Presi- dent's War Finance Corporation veto with 8o emphatic and sweeping a vote that the action Speaks for itself. Jt remains to consider the result of the revival of that body's functions. 1 all that the revived corporation did were to fork over millions of cash or credit to farmers the plan surely would fail. Wadding up the banks with farmers’ loans, if such a thing were practical, or wadding up the Finance Corporation with farmers’ loans, if such a_thing‘were contem- plated, or wadding up the United States Treasury itself with farmers’ loans, if such a thing were possible, never could sell the farmers' crops at higher prices if there were no arket demand for them. Creating the necessary market demand for the crops is a horse of-another color. Enabling general American indus- try to finance export sales, on the other hand, does not mean merely more exports of wheat or corn or cot- ton. It means more exports of any- thing and everything needed abroad. These exports mean American mills and factories kept busy instead of being compelled to put up the shut- ters. The American farmer might not export a single bushel of wheat and yet get a better market in his own country because of the increased ex- rts of manufacturers. He might ot borrow & single doliar more and et work out his safety, not by hold- ing back his crop while interest om his heavy loans piled up against him, but, on the contrary, by sending it to ‘market to meet the stimulated demand for it.—New York Herald (inde- pendent). A Helping Hand to Cuba. President Wilson's Gen. Crowder to Cuba on behalf of our government to the president and government of Cuba in its present economic and political troubles will be the first intimation for many persons in this country that conditions In the island republic are such as to threaten paternal inter- vention on the part of the United States. Any sort of interference with the internal affairs of Cuba ia to be deprecated, even though by the terms under which Cuba was turned over to its own people the government of the TUnited States reserved the right and the duty to intervene to protect the independence of the republic and to maintain the stability of its political and economic administration. Once since the independence of Cuba that intervention was necessary. In the present instance it is sincerely to be hoped that counsel and advice will be all that is necessary to smooth out the political difficulties that followed the recent presidential election For it is believed that with the election finally settled, the acute economic troubles under which Cuba is suffer- ing will cure themselves. The Presi- dent has made a wise selection in Gen. Crowder, who knows Cuba inti- s the confldence of its people.—Philadelphia Public Ledger (independent). A Topeka man says: “If there isn’t any hell, then where has business gone?’—Denver Times. When a woman gets to a certain age she starts to re-vamp.—Lexing- ton Leader. A man should fot buy an airplane until he is sure of its. upkeep.— Louisville Post. - OPEN EVENINGS DURING THIS SALE - The Bell’s Great FINAL CLEARING Offering Without Reserve Our Entire Stock of All-Wool Suits and Overcoats . at Absolutely Below Cost Smashing All Low Price Records of the Season These are not odds and ends, but our entire complete stock of Suits and Overcoats in all styles—all fabrics—and all colorings, and in all sizes—regu- lars—stouts—Ilongs—and shorts—in all-the different reduction groups. clothing is sacrificed at prices at least $10 lower than they can be bought this spring or any time in the future. We are determined that not one garment is season. Come in and get a fine Suit or Overcoat at a ridiculous give-away price. A Small Deposit Reserves Any Suit or Overcoat in All $25 and $30 Suits and Overcoats at All $35 and $40 Suits and | Overcoats at . . . All Up to $50° Suits and Overcoats at SPECIAL—Wonderful Fur-Collar Overcoats, Sold Up to $60, Go in This Saleat............. $6 and $7 Trousers $ $5.00 Trousers .90 Bell Clothes Shops STORES ALL OVER THE LAND TWO WASHINGTON STORES 920 F Street N.W. - i.:UlH’iHWIIfl!:‘U5”i!UH\Fllh"J]HIHmfifl!flImil.llflh?mmm, M \!wmwmuwm d $8 and $9 Trousers $ u.mh!w:fW\NW SALE High-grade All-wool This superb to be carried over the the Sale 24 -90 941 Penna. Ave. N.W. : A AR