Evening Star Newspaper, February 15, 1921, Page 6

THE EVENING STAR, With Sunday Morning Edition. — WASHINGTON, D. C TUESDAY.....February 15, 1921 THEODORE W. NOYES. .. .Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company “Business Office, 11th St. and Penussivania Ave. : ‘Tribune Building. Chicago Office: National Bank Building. European Office: 3 Regent St. London, England. the Snndsy morning within the eity per. The Bvening Star. with the | ‘dition, livered by e 2260 Sents per manthy oaily only, 40 ce month; Sunday only, 20 cents per mont dess may be sent by mail, or telephone Main 5000. Collection is made by carriers at the end of each month. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. d Sunday..1yr., $8.40; 1mo., 70¢ ’lgflg :.xlfly 1yr., $6.00; 1 mo., 50c Sunday only a1 $2.40; 1 mo., 20¢ Al Other States. Daily and Sunday.1y Daily only 1y Sunday only 7.00; 1 mo., 60c 25c 3.00; 1mo., No Solution of Surplus Problem. The conferees on the District ap- propriations bill have agreed on %he cost-apportionment between nation and capital proposed by the Huuse.‘ and have cut out both the 50-50 ratio and the wise and just legislation pro- posed by the Senate to prevent sur- pluses or deficits in the future and to begin to dispose equitably for the welfare of the District of the tax sur- pluses of the past. To avoid a deadlock this vear the two houses have run in the same groove which was discovered to be| available to evade last vear's dead-| lock. If the Senate by refusing to yield to the 60-40 ratio had made nec- essary a continuing appropriation ‘resolution the 60-40 ratio of the cur- rent fiscal year would in any event have carried over into 1921-22; and the increased appropriations for 1921-22 might have been lost to the District without restoring or making applicable the 50-50 ratio. High hopes had been entertained that if the House had its own way absolutely concerning the 60-40 ratio it would agree to the proposed wise and fair solution of the problem of tax surpluses and deficits, and might also assent to the equitable expendi- ture to meet accumulated District needs of some part of the District’s tax surpluses of the past. And the District is profoundly disappointed that a compromise in the matter was not reached. ‘While the adopted provision does not touch the question of disposing of surpluses of the past collected under the 50-50 ratio, it is so worded as to prevent either a real surplus or a __real deficit in the two fiscal years be- 3 1920 and 1922. The provision " on this point reads as follows: “If the of Columbia of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1922, are not sufficient to meet the proportion of the appropria- tions for that fiscal year charged against such revenues by this and all other acts or which may be estimated to be charged against such revenues by acts that may be approved during such fiscal year the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall in- crease the rates of taxation on real - estate and tangible personal property sufficiently to make up the difference; provided, however, that such rates of . taxation shall in no event be less than - 1% per cent nor more than 2 per cent.” ‘The Commissioners are required to levy a tax on realty and tangible per- sonalty which will cause the District’s total revenue to be 60 per cent of the total District appropriation. If the Commissioners have guessed too low a tax rate and less than 60 per cent of the total District appropriation was raised by local taxation would that deficit be forgiven by the nation? No. Tt would go over into the succeeding year asa-debit to be deducted from next year’'s available District tax revenue, Of course, what is sauce for the goose (I8 sauce for the gander. If a deficit goes over into the succeeding year as & debt, a surplus goes over on the same equitable principle into the suc- ceeding year as a credit. Congress authorizes - only the col- lection by tax levy of 60 per cent of the total District appropriation fixed by law. If the Commissioners put the tax rate too high and they collect . more than the 60 per cent ratio of appropriation demanded from them the tax money which the Commissioners thus collected over the limit fixed by the law would clearly, it seems, go automatically into the category of Dis- trict tax revenue available to meet the District's share of current appro- priations under the 60-40 ratio in the succeeding year. The surpluses arising under the 60-40 ratio are thus wisely disposed of or prevented. Will not this Congress in the conference on the Mapes bill or the next Congress be as wise and fair in legislation affecting the sur- pluses of the past, created under the 50-50 ratio? ——— A drop in prices is appreciated by the purchaser, but the gratification is modified by the consideration that almost everybody has something to sell. ——— An abolition of war would leave no firing lines available to Lenin when he is thinking of a good place to which to send Trotsky. ———— Traffic Rules and Prosecutions. The District government has got itself into a difficult position by con- tinuing to license motorists without supplying them with regulations and expecting them to obey the rules, of which they are not officially informed. Can it maintain prosecution against any of these people for violation of the traffic regulations? In theory ig. norance of the law is no defense. But in fact ignorance of the law is surely @ perfect defense against charges of rule breaking when the rules have mever been explained. -affic rules are not fixed and cer- tain. They are more or less fluld. Even now the rules are being amend- «d and in a few weeks or months they ‘will be promulgated in new form. All motorists who have been served with official copies of the old rules are supposed to know them perfectly. And when the new rules are adopted they can take their old books and note .| he to be held accountable and subject modifications. But meanwhile what of the man who innocently transgrese- es one of the complex regulations con- cerning the hours at which certain streets can be crossed, or the geogra- phy of the one-way traffic, or the par- ticular angle at which cars can be parked 4n certain spaces? He has never been given a diagram or “‘scrap of paper” bearing on the subject. He may have learned the rules “by ear,” | by talking with other motorists or by | harsh contact with the law in the per- {son of the traffic policeman. But is to punishment for doing something that he is quite unawaresis unlawful? While the District authorities are considering this question—and it is really quite important—they might {look into the manner of how fully| i informed the traffic policemen are on | ithe subject of the rules. Evidence appears that there is no absolute uni- | formity of practice among them. Are officers fully supplied with | . and are they letter per fect in them? It would not be sur { prising to find that some are doing { their best to keep the traffic moving | safely with an imperfect knowledge {of the code while many of the people | | whom they are directing are unaware | of more than the bare rudiments. | No solution of this problem has} | been proposed at the District build- ing. Assuredly the present lack of| | printed rules puts a premium on speed | {in the adoption and publication of the | I new code. { i Mr. Harding and Congress. ! Mr. Harding is keeping close track | {of the legislative situation on Capito {Hill, as his two telegrams—the one to Leader Lodge, the other to Leader Mondell—show. The communications were well jus- | tified. Near the beginning of the {session, Mr. Harding, with all pro- clean slate; that the present Congress should not bequeath to its successor land if a jam occurs one or more may {be caught in it. formally renewed a request. He feels {now as he did two months ago. We may see in this probably the promise that during his stay in the ‘White House Mr. Harding will con- ! cern himself closely with the doings {of Congress. And why not? He Is practice to the formal message at the opening of a session. The Constitu- shall judge necessary and expedient.” Mr. Wilson has been criticised as having had too much to say on Capi- tol Hill while his party was in con- trol there. ever, his party solicited his activities. It referred many of its contentions and differences to him, and thus made him the general arbiter of things. ———————— Rumors. The air is full of rumors. thing is not done, so-and-so, If that man is not appointed, so-and-so. This man holds the key to the situation on Capitol Hill. That man has the strongest pull with the national or- ganization. And so on. Some of this talk is entertaining. Some of it is preposterous enough to dispose of itself. And some of it is too fantastic for a moment's consid- | eration. It lacks the quality of good bluff. There is nothing unusual or sur- prising in the real situation. That men committed to certain policles should be advocating them earnestly is natural, and even praiseworthy. That men favoring personal friends for high office should be dwelling on | their merits and claims to recogni- tion is both natural and praiseworthy. And now is the time for such em- ployment. Mr. Harding is taking |bearings. He Is sounding public sentiment through representative men. He will be influsnced in his actions by the results. He is entitled to frank and truthful statements. Mr. Harding’s is a man’s job. No man in our affairs has since Mr. Lin- coln’s day had so big a job in hand. That he will strive to do it in man fashion and for the best interests of If this | the country is not open to doubt. He is entitled to a fair trial on his merits and will get it. The man who tries from personal disappoint- {ment or for personal ends to embar- { rass him or break him down will fail. The country is in no humor for capers ' of that kind. —— John Barleycorn claims - recognition as a patron of the professions. While the bootlegger is looking for a lawyer, the man who drinks his wares s like- 1y to be looking for a doctor. ———— i Whether or not Mr. Dawes proves available officially in an advisory ca- pacity, there is no doubt about his being exceedingly interesting company whenever he may choose to call. ———————— ‘While not using the old nom de plume, “Anxious Inquirer” is figur- ing very prominently as a contributor to the Congressional Record. et Judge Landis may succeed in ele- vating a pathetic pilferer into a figure | of historic remembrance. / Typhus in New York. { A death from typhus fever has oc- curred in New York, and now, after | some days of controversy and fric- {tion between federal and state au- | thorities, steps are being taken to put that port under strict regulations and {to insure as far as may be against the further importation of this dread- ful disease into the country through that channel. The United States, it is expected, will at once take over the quarantine and may impose a twelve. day detention rule, which would op- erate against all classes of sea pas- sengers. A vessel has been provided by one of the steamship companies to serve as emergency station for the, P ! oceurs. | Young bank employ { little of | priety, let it be known that he wanted | | the new Congress to start with “%auomion to say i the be Mr. Harding, therefore, has simply ; not limited under the Constitution or | tion says, speaking of the President:;against “He shall from time to time give to|ballot admirably avoided the obvious the Congress information of the state | estimated net revenues of the District | of the Union, and recommend to their : a representation of them in marble consideration such measures as he: As a matter of fact, how-| ! reading by making the flivvi THE EVENING detention, examination and precau- tionary treatment of incomers. Conflict between the stafe and fed- eral jurisdiction has impeded the in- stitution of protective measures at the port of New York, and there is a Ppossibility that in consequence sev- eral cases of typhus have been ad- mitted. It is asserted that at least 1o per cent of the immigrants who have been permitted to land lately have been vermin infected. Typhus is com- municated by vermin, and thus there is serious danger that there now lurks a grave disease menace in those quar- ters of the big city where the newly arrived assemble. There can be no safety in this coun- try as long as the migration gates labroad are held wide apart and the ports of entry here are left open, un-| less there Is the strictest supervision over the human tide. to time, whenever these * cur i the perennial conflict of author- ¥ between state and federal agenci In this instance, peculiarly. the state officials are criticising the federal for not moving more quickly to take over the jurisdiction and re- sponsibility. There is a lapse of law here that should never be permitted to lessen. the efficiency of the safe- guards against disease importation. —_————————— Ethics and the Law. The action of Judge Landis in re- ing on his own recognizance a rged with the 0 involved, in ances, a ques- 1 a smby ment of $9 its attendant circun tion in which the public has not been low to evince keen interest. For he judge, in passing sentence, made the guilt of the prisoner, on the basis that he was underpaid, and went so far as to remark that “‘indirectly this robbery should be laid at the door of the bank directors.” Such a theory of ethics, pronounced from a federal bench, stimulates the the Ic There is undoubted! f that low something in for work |y s i erring, of idm rouluu;I busxn::*s{"urf'ftlr"‘b- “linvolving heavy re ponsibility and | course, to the supply bills. trust invite dishonesty. Yet that such Notwithstanding this, the supply ! : = Lt belief is not wholly sound would bills are not in a promising pos ‘| seem to be established by the un- doubted fact that, by many men, re- sponsibility and trust are accepted a in themsclves finer compensation than dollars. And that it should be in- truded into the law of the land as the basis for extenuating the guilt of em- bezzlers is a policy of dubious wis- dom. —_——— The artist who designed the statue in honor of the distinguished women who led in the historic an unjustly di: contention iminating suggestion which would have led to as “The Fates,” “The Three Grac s, or “Faith, Hope and Charity.” A {simple, direct and unaffected expres- |sion is best in sculpture as well as in literature. A very imposing statue of Washington which once graced the { Capitol met with a constant storm: | {of eriticism because it was e too classical. A custom of deciding cases without needless extraneous comment might be a desirable one for judges to favor as a general rule. —— Any impression that court proce- dure is a succession of dry techni- calities can find contradiction by studying the expressions of Judge Landis. —_———— A New York publisher complains that Henry Ford has di ouraged excur- The sion a universal temptation. {motorist Is at least cager to peruse the traffic regulations. ———— February is the month of heroic birthdays, and for that reason the month of patriotic reminders that fit- i tingly precede the inauguration date. ——— The evolution of a loan into a vir- |tual gift is not an unfamiliar phe. jnomenon in transactions relating to small fairs. business or international af. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON, February Sunshine. February sunshine, Smilin’ from the sky, Doesn’ stop the blizzard That is comin® by and by. Dozin® in a corner, Feelin’ purty good, That's where 1 would like to be Instid o' choppin’ wood. February sunshine Tempts you to rely On the expectation That no snow will ever fly. ‘When the flareback whistles Through the neighborhood Lots of us are going to wish We'd kept on chopping wood, Hard Work, “Is that new hired ma worker?"” “I'll say he'Is” replied Farmer Corntossel. “I don't know anybody that work seemed to go harder with than it doeg with him.” n a hard An Important One. “Have you solved any of the great problems of the time?" “Only one, so far,” replied Senator Sorghum. y great industry gna study T managed to get myself re. elected.” International Finance, Let no one fret about the debt In which we chance to plunge. Upon a slate the sums we'll state; Then, simply use a sponge. Home Seeking. “I wonder if they take children in these mpartments.” “They must. Some of the rooms aren’t big enough for a grown per- son.” Jud Tunkins says he can’t under- stand why some people think it's any kind of a comfort to explain to a man that his troubles are his own fault. ¥ 1 Yet from time |1 - jand_making ntirely | STAR, WASHINGTO. Editorial Digest The Evil of Brindell. While most of the press of the coun- try agrees with the Baltimore Sun (independent democrat) that “noth- ing has happened in the country since the armistice” that will afford *more satisfaction” than the conviction of | Robert P. Brindell, president of the Building Trades Council of New York city, a wide range of views Is ex- pressed as to what the effect of the scandal will be upon labor. Mr. Gompe complaint that ‘“grafters among_employers” have been let off with fines, while a_“labor man” has been the only one thus far sentenced, meets with little sympathy. The crimes of this man, who rose from dock laborer to “cgar” of the building trades, are summed up by the Brooklyn Eagle (independent demo- ie blackmailed builders. He held laboring men as serfs, exploiting them for selfish, sordid ends, He de- d the whole' craft of honest labor by submitting it to his manipulations it the unconscious tool jfor his schemes of graft. He raised Ithe ren i able citizens who. of innun had to pay the v York Trib- une (republican) sees as a ‘hopeful sign” that “society is still able to pro- tect itself from the most subtle efforts of cunning wickedness to prey upon it,” and the New York World (demo- crat), which had much to do in stir- ring up the investigation, rejoices that “New York is a better city to live in for this justice that has been done.” the exposure of Brindell's gc- and their effect upon em- s and labor in general, the Providence Tribune (independent re- publica v hey will at least 1 “members of and for con- willing to pay ibute to some such grafter as Brin- vhen, instead, they should help nitentiary.” Organ- where, the Tribune has been done “an irrepara- alo Commercial (independ- ‘nt) s in the affair an argument for the “open shop.” The Rochester Herald (independent) es the hope that “the lesson of s will be taken at the full meaning by the workers,” and will teach them that “a labor organization which does not honestly and consistently strive to promote the mutual benefit' of both emplovers and workers:fs the enemy of both.” Howeyer, it adds, “the em- re equally guilty with and “infinitely more to be Aespised " A similar view is exnressed by the ‘. Haven Journal Courier (inde- pendent) in demanding that “a { rect emphasis” be laid upon the * He should not be ely as a type.” thus leaders as hoin 5 ers “cou to resist the demand for bribes, the giving of which makes them share the guilt. and. second, it demonstrates that “members of or- ganized labor” must “watch the steps of their agents”” The New York Globe (independent) also feels that labor isn't to blame, for “the treach- ery of a labor union official is com- parable with that of an elected polit- ical official, and if the laber affi-i- goes wrong he no more discredits labor unionism than the gratting pu litical official discredits political gov- ernment.” The Grand Rapids Herald (republican) believes that “organized labor in the United States is stronger™ for the conviction of Brindell, The Worcester Telegram (repub- lican) declares that Gompers' at- tempt to “hold up as a martyr for labor a man who exploited labor for himself alone should be resented and repudiated first of all by the labor unions themselves,” and the New i York Mail (independent) sounds the { warning that “the best thing trade unionism can do is to wash its hands of him for good and all” and what the country was entitled to hear from Mr. Gompers, because of his fine record in the war. was “a clarion {call to his followers to weed out from | their midst any leAders who were { bringing, or who were likely to bring, !as much odium on the ne of or- ieaniu(l labor as Brindell did." The Lincoln Religion. ! At the unveiling of the Lincoln statue at Westminster, July 28 last, | the British prime minister said: “In his life Abraham Lincoln was a great American. He i8 no longer so. He is one of the giant figures, of whom there are few in history, who {lose their nationality in death. They are no longer Greek, or Hebrew. or English, or Aerican; they belong to mankind.” The “Lincoln religion,” if the feel- ing aroused by his name can be so called. spreads over the earth. It has no dogmas and it has no here- tie It appeals to the learned and to the unlearned. Lincoln has be- come one of mankind's common de- nominators. Humble though exalted, he reveals what all men may be, not in far-off ages or in after life, but here and now. He is applied Christianity. Nothing ethical or spiritual anywhere i is alien to his spirit. And he is not only teacher through his words, but guide through the example of his conduct. Blest will be America as of ~Abraham Lincoln.—New { Tribune (republican). The Senate Imn;ér_ation Substitute |, There may be less criticism of the basic idea of the Senate committee's plan for the restriction of immigra- tion than of the practical effects likely to follow disagreement with the measure passed by the House. The Union has long been impressed with the possibilities of restriction by }the “percentage plan,” that is, by lim- iting the number of newcomers of any nationality to a certain propor- tion of the number of persons of | that strain now in the country. There are weighty arguments in support of such a method. Tt is believed that no better plan offers for the promo- ltion of the process of assimilation of the immigrant, and the country has had lessons enough in the urgent needs of such assimilation. Ameri- I canization is imperatively demanded, and such restriction undoubtedly would vastly lessen the chance of an inrush of any aliene who by sheer Wweight of numbers would prove stub- bornly resistant to American ideals and American theories of government. We have an unemployment prob- lem, which would be rendered much more acute by a flood of immigration such as we are threatened with. We are busy with the task of readjust- ment. We have had experience enough with the results of overtaxing the melting pot. We are in no doubt of the evil possibilities in+a great | invasion by peoples not easily assim- ilated. And we have had full warn- ings of the millions in Europe that are planning to migrate at the first opportunity.” The country knows the conditions and what they mean. That is why there wil be a general de- mand “that the Senate’s course shall be directed toward securing effective legislation and not toward prevention of remedial action of any sort.—Man- chester (N. H.) Union (republican). York The task of feeding Europe and China ! reminds us that knighthood is still in flour.—Baltimore Sun. If a voung fellow wants to lose his girl nowadays let him ask her to go walking with him.—FEl Paso Herald. “Medical schools crowded.” No won- prescriptions.—Minneapolls Journal. Pullman porter restored $1,500 he found in a berth. Six months ago he would have thought it was a tip.—Lex- ington (Kentucky) Leader. Radium is being used to flluminate doorknobs and keyholes. The tragic part about the discovery is that it comes too late.—Beattle Post-Intelligencer. France insists that Germany must find a way of making the same cow yield both beef and milk.—Louisville Post. Disarming will be a,great thing, say its boosters, provided it can be accom- plished without serious Bri Tels long as its heart responds to the call | der, when a doctor can write his own | T L L LT LT LT LT L L L L L L L U nnn D. C, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 192T. New Spring Too Good Men’s To Be True? —Yes, it may sound almost unbelievable, yet here’s a purchase of Women’s Imported Kid and Suede GLOVES Eagle Crepe Empire Crepe Jersey Silk Broadcloth rtct Nighest Quality/ Fruit of the Loom 81x90 Sheets $1.69 The name is a household word for quality and long werVice. The firm, strong cloth and special Fruit of the Loom finish guarantees the satis- faction of these sheets. Strictly perfect. Shirts Below the Spring Price! 1 = = $1.19 Every Pair Perfect The mere announcement of imported kid and P. K. sewed suede gloves 5o far below the market price should be suffi- clent to pack the glove sec- tion with eager buyers. IU's Satin Stripes Every Shirt Absolutely Perfect 100 dozen of the superlatively fine “Artcraft” pure silk a sale that brings back old- shirts—: s of highest reputation among men who are keen time ".i‘.:“:f‘k;('l‘ h;,:‘::’lg e on quality—ready tomorrow at a surprise price—$5.85. black and white; the suede These are the cream of the spring productions of the “Artcraft” line. Every shirt is silk-sewed, silk-faced and has hand-worked buttonholes. Plenty of white silk shirts as well as clever stripes in infinite variety. All sizes 14 to 17. The lowest price that has been quoted for silk shirts of this quality. Last fall's prices were $10. $12 and $15. Get yours! gloves are in gray and brown. All have two clasps. All are quality gloves that will please in appearance, fit and - Purchase and Sale—"Irregulars” of the World’s Finest Silk Hosiery Famous ” Make, Universal Choice of Fastidious Women Faults Too Slight to Affect Looks or Wear in the Least Irregulars of $2.00 Silk Hose $1.39‘v ‘@ [ Full-fashioned Pur, Irregulars of $2.75 Silk Hose $1.79 ‘Women’s Fuli-fashioned Pure Dye Ingrain Silk Hose, all silk Irregulars of $3.50 to $4.50 Silk Hose $2.25 Full-fashioned Italian Silk Hose, the inimitable " quality. Women's ti of Dye Ingrain Silk Stockings. with from tae to top. The —patent e : lisle garter tops. Black only. A “Marvel-stripe” prevents runs and The kind that does not rip or run. quality esteemed for its good rter tears. Black and ‘the pop- Plain Italian silk and beautiful ffar colors: So nearly perfect you would accept them as if we didn’t tell you other- lace patterns. Black. white, cor- dovan, chestnut, silver, gray, navy, pink, gold and pearl. service and beautiful texture and’ finish. Defects are practically un- findablg. Outclassing the City with This . Double Sale of | Boys’ New Spring Suits Get the Boys' Easter Clothes Now and Pay Less Than the Easter Price All-wool Washington’s Greatest Showing Ll s §E95| Ve Part-wool and Greatest Values Suits. s Dressy Spring Suits from a noted maker—tai- lored to perfection—of finest all-wool and wool- mixed fabrics. Light, medium and dark patterns. NEW SPRING HATS Lined with alpaca or Venetian. Pants durabl lincd® Sizer 61ta 16 IBleatediand mennish mrdels Hundreds of A Hat Becoming % For Every > Models Woman All-wool : el e Never such an early demand for s>ringtime millinery Two-Pants and never were we better prepared to satisfy }ha_t demand. i P Hundreds of latest-moment hats, fresh out of their uesue-hped Suits........ooooooo = boxes, join the glorious assemblage for Wednesday’s selling. “trimmed hats, ostrich-trimmed hats, fruit-trimmed hats, fil;l:,:,‘:trri‘mmed hats—of plain and novelty straws, silk and straw combinations, visca braid, gros de londre, Kandee cloth and batavia braid. All the new, high shades and the perennial staple colors. Also Featuring New Hats at $7.50, $9.95 and $12.50 Newest yoke-back, belted models in Easter suits of all-wool fabrics, lined with alpaca. Both pairs of pants serviceably lined. New browns, grays, greens, blended blues and heather tones. The lowest price quoted for two-pants suits of this high quality in many, many years. Hundreds of Charming Spring resses New Productions in Cloth and Silk Priced to Meet Your Ideas of Economy Models fairly aglow with the spirit of youth and springtime. Of tricotine, taffeta, velour, serge and jersey. Newest tunics, panel effects, girlish sashes, blouse models and graceful straight- and fascinating styles. Sizes line dresses. Richly embroid- 5 O e ered in flowers and large and workmanship is in keeping """'“'"“"m!fl'"'wuflml!wmwwmummmwm I with the excellent materials small figured motifs. The ol AR