Evening Star Newspaper, April 1, 1921, Page 7

-~ ™ THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, KPRIT T 1921 THE EVENING STAR,|devising humlliating and ennoying With Sunday Morning Editien. { WASHINGTON,D C SFRIDAY.........April1, 1921 The Evening Star Newspaper Company St Office. 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. 150 Nessuo tricks to be played upon innocents. In Poor Robin's Almanac of 1728 the fol- lowing lines occur to give an idea of the practice of nearly two centuries o: o sooner doth St. All-Fool's mor. b 5 B . ere Phebus mount his gilded couc In sholes assemble to employ their sense In sending fools to get Intelligence; .| One seeks hen's teeth, in farthest part 2| Thus lead Three Excellent Appointments. Three appointments announced yes- terday by President Harding are espe- cially gratifying to the people of ‘Washington. The posts of public printer, commissioner of patents and commissioner of Indian affairs were filled with men who are in effect Washingtonians and are widely and favorably known here. Pubfic Printer Carter, though a na- tive of Wisconsin, has spent much of his time in Washington as student. as newspaper man, and as public official. He is especially qualified for the post, being a practical printer, and, through his service in connection with the joint committee on printing. well acquainted with the workings of the great typo- graphical establishment of the govern- ment. Patent Commissioner Robertson is a native of Washington, but for a long time-a resident of Maryland. He has been identified with patent work for many years and is fully conversant with the practice of the patent office. Thisds an excellent appointment in-all ‘respects. Indian Commissioner Burke is an- other “official Washingtonian.” having served in Congress for so long that he is well acquainted in the District and | aimost a resident. He brings to the office to which he has now been as- signed special qualifications through direct acquaintance with the needs of | 'the Indians. These bureau appointments are a [ sign of the care that is being exerted 1 to fill the government posts with com- petent men, of special qualification for * their particular tasks. The Bergdoll Case. At the request of the United States government, expressed through the commander of the American occupa- tional forces at Coblenz, the Baden government has released Carl Neuf of the military intelligence service and Franz Zimmer, an Army sergeant, who were recently taken prisoners and convicted of an attempt to kidnap Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, the draft evdller. Baden took this action at the request of the German federal gov- ernment. The two men are not actual- 1y pardoned. but are released pending &oad behavior. But inasmuch as they are to return at once to the American , zone of occupation it is probable that ¢ they are to be regarded as definitely ! freed. Their “good behavior” prob- ‘ably means abstention from further . efforts to get Bergdoll. This does not end the Bergdoll case, ‘however. That precious young gen: 7 tleman is still at large in Germany, a { deserter from the American Army. ' and the United States should make an effort to get him if it has not al- ready started the procedure. Perhaps “the case will be held in abeyance until tafter-the reichstag meets, when it is , expected the government at Berlin * will be interpellated on the subject of the release of Neuf and Zimmer. The pationalists may make a sharp issue | + of this action. If the government finds | itself greatly embarrassed it may not P be disposed to consider any requests for Bergdoll's surrender. It ix im- § possible, however. to guess the Ger- ? man policy. Berlin undoubtedly wants to make friends with Washington and may think that Bergdoll will be useful as a pawn. put on the diplomatic basis. The d ! serter should be brought back here as Yo matter of rignt. Lenin and Trotsky are not indif- ferent to the revenue possibilities that may result from putting a “for rent” sign on Russ vast and historically famous undeveloped resources. —— Among the designs for doorstep deco- ration that will appear in the not dis wnt future is “Welcome 1o our new City Clubhouse.” B — Whatever experts may say of the prospects of trade with Russia it can- not be denfed that the sovietists write a persuasive prospectus. The miscreant who 100k money from the bureau of engraving and printing believed in collecting at the nree All Fools' Day. Memory of man hardly runs to the point where April 1 has not heen mark ed by the playing of practical jokes This custom of “All Fools” pranking has been tra hers back 1o wcient tin carrying it be yond the days of Christ. But there d by researc <. some little basis for tl suggestions. The practice. though corresponding | * with the Roman saturnalia, appears to have originated in France in about the The marking of special feasts with joke-making in more an- cient times, and the traditions of Hin dustan particularly such A gractice French 3h-however. seama Lo have artgigated 1n the change of the “New Year” from sixteenth century. dications of the March 25 to January 1, in which the French took the lead in 1564. When that shift occurred only pretended new vear gifts were made and mock cere- | of manial visits paid on the first of April, #s a travesty upon the new This case should not be! marks of cus- of th' town: Another pigeon's mil From strolling cobler by chance; the giddy a third a gown tall, left there tribe a merry dance. And to reward them for their harm- less toil, The cobler ’noints their limbs with stirrup oil. Thus by contriver’s inadvertent jest, One fool expos'd makes pastima for the rest. Modern variations have given a wide range to these “fool’s errands.” Since the telephone has come into use April fooling has taken on a new aspect. For example, today the call for“‘Co- lumbia 744,” where “Mr. Wolf,” “Mr. ¥ox,” “Mr. Bear.” and “Mr. Campbell’ are supposed to be anxiously awaiting communication, is frequent. The at- tendants at the Zoo, however, do not relish this particular form of jest. April fooling is largely passing out of vogue. The children enjoy it to a certalm extent still, but adults no long- er vex their wits, devising elaborate hoaxes as they did in former -times, and the course of the passer in the street is not frequently now impeded by tricky obstacles and false tempta- { tions. | A Menace to Unionism. Judging by the public utterances of leading union labor leaders they are convinced that there is in progress a| concerted attack on union, labor by conspiring capitalistic interests, under | the ‘gniseior a movement for the “open shop.” There may be a basis for this belief, but candid friends of organized labor must point out that the real menace lies within the.unions and not with- out. The constant jurisdictional quarrels within the building trades alone—child- fish but industrially destructive—are doing more to bring organized labor into disrepute than any outside attack {coula possibly accomplish. The bickerings and strikes on the {new Star building may be taken as an ! example. For generations The Star has been a “closed shop” because it has been in entire sympathy with the avowed and proper aims and principles of organ- ized labor. Its new building is being erected by union labor. Nevertheless, work has twice been held up by utterly senseless quarrels ‘between unions as to who should do certain specified work, quar- rels with which The Star or the build- ing contractors have no possible con- cern. The last one involves the carpenters and the metal workers, the dispute arising as to which trade should set metal window frames. A jurisdictional board decided, wise- Iy or unwisely, that setting metal win- dow frames was work properly be- longing to metal workers, whereupon the carpenters, claiming that the award was ex parte and made without a proper hearing, refused to accept it and “struck™ jobs on which the award was followed. Among these was one in New Orleans, where the construc- tion company that is erecting the I bullding for The Star 1 also construct. ing a bank bullding. Whereupon the carpenters in Wash- ington quit their jobs on The Star | building and indefinitely delay the work on the bullding unless non-union men dre put to work on it. Some months ago a dispute arose as {to which trade should properly turn lon a switch on a motor working a larill, the hoisting” engineers or the i elevator constructors.. The work it- self required the Intelligence and skill necessary to turn on an electric light. { Nevertheless, this quarrel held up work on the building until it was ad- justed by requiring union workers of both trades to “touch the button.” It needs no argument to demonstrate that this situation is one that brings into grave disrepute the leaders of or- ganized labor and indeed organized labor itself, and constitutes a menace to unionism far more serious than that of opposition of employers to the | closed shop, for it alienates the friends | of organized labor and puts a weapon ; 1 the hands of its enemies, —_——— Residents of the Balkan regions have long bad the idea that it is per- | fectly normal for them to be engaged 'm some kind of disturbance that may {result in world agitation. The discoverer of turtle serum as an alleged cure for tuberculosis is not the only German theorist who is being taken far less serfously than in the | fdays gone by. IR e T T i So many statesmen are coming to Washington to discuss foreign affairs { that English may eventually become the language of diplomacy as well as The ovation to Viviani on his arrival in New York conveyed the assurance that the courteous esteem of France to which he gracetully referred ia tully reciprocated by this country. i Japan and Gen. Wood. Jupan’s invitation to Gen. Leonard Wood is a friendly gesture, and as such entitled to consideration. As a distinguished soldier visiting in that quarter of the world, he will naturally are some in-jbe an object of interest to Japan. As the special representative of the Amer. ican government, charged with a mis- sion bearing on government in that quarter of the world, he will intrigue Jupan still more. Ax the dominant power in that quarter, Japan is alive to every suggestion of a change there. Gen. Wood is on his way to the Philippines to investigate the quesation of independence for the islands. Some the natives—the number is not now known to us—desjre an independ- ent government, and Congress is to tom. ¥rom France the p [ be asked to goant the request. Gen. April fooling spread to England | Waond—exceptionally well qualified for re Wis developed a degree as 1o the work—is to investigate and report stitute even a public nuisance.|on the proposition. and favor a continuation of American control have a fear that an inde- pendent government would lead to the acquisition of the archipelago by Japan; that it could not suatain itself against so strong a nation tempted to extend its growing power. Japan denies the impeachment, de- claring that the ‘archipelago, whether, 48 now, American territory, or as an independent nation, is not in her cal- culation. ‘What Gen. Wood could, even with instructions, discover on this head, either in the Philippines or in Japan, is a question. But he is not so in- structed; and . his instructions cover ground enough to keep him busy dur- ing the whole time of his absence. April Comes. April entered not tn 2 smiling- mood, but Washington knows well enough the temper and the sweetness of this lady to believe that she will soon look in Washington with blue and summy skies and caress the old town with airs of balm. April's scowling humor was because of the damage done by March. She could not. gayly laugh, dance on #unbeams and scatter flowers on every lawn when she looked on March’s work. Many flowers are dead. Mil- lions of fruit blossoms are in the grave and lying with them are many hopes which men builded on fermented cherries, fermented strawberries and fermented blackberries. But the dan- delions are with us still, the elder- berries may come to luscious fruit| and the apples may yield juice. April has much to do before her. She must coax many shrubs and trees to put on fresh coats of green. A hundred million flowers deceived and injured by the treachery of March need her loving care. But April will do this. April is the godmother month of blossoms. f ‘The management of the United States Steel Corporation in making arrangements for bonus payments may go far toward proving that prac- ical business experience is best qual- ified to solve the problems involving the application of profits to wage and dividend earnings. The United States Steel will be in working order long be- fore anything like a Plumb plan reaches the status where it can be popularly comprehended. f It may occur to George Harvey that as a bold and fearless critic of the pre- vious administration Robert Lansing, also, is worthy of the honorary title ‘colonel.” f A single-coin fare would retire from aftention the passenger who creates confusion by sprinkling his fare on the platform instead of in the box. f It Germany is wise she will embrace any opportunity to get rid of Bergdoll as a man who is neither socially orna- mental nor industrially useful. f The farmer is expected to go on ex- panding the wheat crop until the broad and biscuit crop are materially affected in price. i Men's views on the tariff have'al- ways varied to some extent in accord- ance with the difference in their lines of business. ! Disarmament has a strong argu- ment in the fact that there is no more unpleasant form of foreign entangle- ment than a fight. f It has for a long time been China's unpleasant fate to keep some kind of a distress signal constantly in evi- dence. f Berlin statesmen protest that they are too much worried by communists to pay attention to the bill collector. { Judge Landis will never feel like ex- cusing a poor base ball player because his wages are not more generous. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. The Interrupted Welcome. Oh, Miss April! ‘With a blossom and a song We had a welcome ready When you should come along. But the north wind he got jealous And he brought along a frost. Our efforts kind and zealous Were irreparably lost! Oh, Miss April! Perhaps you'll shed a tear As you see the buds all withered, But we know you'll persevere And scatter sweets beguiling To replace the beauties flown, And teach us to keep smiling With some sunshine of our own. Display of. Erudition. “Does your husband find much pleas- ure in gardening?”’ “Yes,” replied Mrs. Crosslots; “but not in the way you'd think. He gets most of his enjoyment memorizing the botanical names on the envelopes and surprising company when he asks ‘em to pass the vegetables.” Jud Tunkins says he never yet knew a socialist who kept books and 'tended to business. Perpetual Surprise. The fashions change throughout the vears For cloudy days and sunny, And every new one that appears Makes people say, “How funny!” Limitations. “Have you given attention to the recent great astronomical discoveries’ replied “Yes." Senator Sorghum; “but I'm not mentioning them in my speeches. My constituents have an idea that I ought to look out for my own little section instead of letting my mind wander out through the realms of space.” Local Atmosphere. ““Schoolin’ has enabled our boy Josh to speak wonderful smooth and gram- matical,” remarked Mrs. Contossel, proudly. “Yes,” replied her husband; *“hell have to stop it pretty soon and prac- tice up on his old line of farm dialect 50's to keep the summer boarders amused.” Editorial Digest Who Got Silesia ? “Self-determination” in Upper Si- lesla was not a shining success in the opinion of the American press. Ac- cording' to most editorial writers the final results of the plebiscite in Ger- '8 richest mineral province, Which seemed to give the industrial centers to Germany and the majority of rural districts, including the mines, to the Poles, has left the situation full of dmngers to the elusive peace of Eu- Tone. Some newspapers feel that the allies can void tire German claim an the basis of the treaty clause, stating that the decision of boundaries is to be based likewise upon ‘“the geographic and economic conditions of the community Others feel that this would be unjust. There is, of course, general rejoicing that the first announcement of a “Ger- man victory' was premature. The Baltimo: considers that beneficent tion,” for, the present case, practical effect has been to create a “Poland unredeemed’ which the Poles 'would nmever have thought of if it not been for the suggested plebiscite. The New York Times (independent dem- ocratic) also hints at trouble for the ar- biters: “To draw a reasonably fair fron- tier according to the vote taken will be considerably more difficult than the traditionally delicate k of cutting out a just pound of flesh without shed- ding blood.” Not the strength of the rival popu lations, but the power of their re spective propagandists, has been set- tled by the ballot, in the opinion of the Grand Rapids Press (republican), which mentions that “already, before an official count had been made.” re- ports came that the council in Paris “will exercise the reservation in the peace covenant and repartition Silesia 80 as to give the rich coal lands to Poland.” Germany's answer to this threat to put aside the election results is the plea that the province constitutes “an indissoluble national geographic and industrial unit,” which the Salt Lake Tribune (republican) interprets as saying: “Despite the fact that large areus voted Polish, they are to remain German.” The French, it adds, “would have them Polish,” ‘and thus, “the council of ambassadors, if it has this problem placed before it for disposi- tion, is likely to find that it has been handed a very modern replica of Pan- dora’s box." "In other words, as the Chicago Tribune (independent repub- lican) remarks,” “it Is not likely to bring peace, another phase of bit- ter contest,” and the Bridgeport Tele- (ndependent) tersely concludes e Silesian plebiscite may ring Up the curtain” for a great struggle. A Rumber of Writers believe that under the reservations in the treaty €oncerning the plebiscite the allies, as the Baltimore Sun (independent demo- cratic) puts it, have a “right to re- rse the decision of the Silesian elec- orute.” This the Buffalo Commercial (independent) takes for granted, since the ‘plebiscite is not the all- governing factor in the case.” Both economic and ‘“strategic” conditions must affect it. The “fallacy of self- determination.” the Commercial de- clares, was shown in the “rebellion of the south” during the civil war. The Bangor (Me.) Commercial (in- dependent) grants that the allies are not, “bound” to follow the vote indi- cation. but adds that “the natural as- Sumption” is that they will. If this is done the Commercial “agrees with the ew York Tribune (republican) in ccepting the ballot us a “German de- feat” for, though “the larger portion of Upper Silesia will go to Germany,” Poland will receive “the more valu- able portion.” The Lynchburg News (democratic) is emphatic in its demand for a “fair dea and feels that justice demands that the allies abide by the plebiscite. If this mathod is followed, as the Youngstown Vindicator (democratic) feels it will be, “4t will help stabilize conditions in Fu- Fope, whereas a different result would have caused utter unsettiement and probably a new war.” The Dallas Times- 1d " (independent) also thinks that ‘f the vote was straight” the allies must “abide by its resuits”’ and the Norfolk (Neb.) News (independent) be- lleves that “it will require a very defi- nite showing of corrupt manipulation to give Polish contenders any reason for their evident hope of annexing the ter- m::—yr';l th inciple of strict ng to ‘the principle of stricf adherence to the plebiscite, the Detroit Free Press (independent) points out that the trouble lies in the fact that “the powers seem to have made a bad mistake in omitting to say clearly in advance just what the outcome of the balloting would involve, and_so they tave given Germany and Poland a chance to dispute over a point that never would have arisen in a well con- ducted plebiscite. However, there is reason to suppose that this was not an oversight, but a piece of deliberate Strategy intended to keep the way open to interference in the final assignment of Silesia, plebiscite or no plebiscit The Lethal Chamber. There is something to be said for the lethal chamber as a mode of capi- tal punishment. It is possible to sym- pathize with many of the arguments which have persuaded the state of Nevada to adopt this new method— Dow become law through the gov- ernor’s signature. “That it is the hu- mane way, 8o far as physical consid- erations go, is fairly shown by its ac- ceptance in’ the case of animals. But the physical side plays such a small part in human death. It is chiefly the terrors of the mind, of anticipation, that prey upon the con- demned criminal. His actual taking off is the least of his tortures. Now, theoretically, it might seem as if this lethal chamber might reduce this element of dread. To die in one's sleep is the ideal death in popular imagination. But theory has very j little to do with such subtle psychol- ogy. Experience may prove that no 'mnuro is more exquisite than the doubt which a condemned criminal im Nevada must now face—of never knowing which sleep is to be the last. So far as the feelings of the public are concerned, there seems an equal misconception. Fach change in the manner of execution renews the prob- lem and picture in our minds and necessitates a fresh review of painful detail. With the best of intentions, it | seems probable that the modern sen- sitiveness upon the subject and the continued effort to make death by the state as humane as possible have only served to harrow the public’s nerves, with little or no gain to the criminal. —New York Tribune (republican). Lipsticks and Statistics. The women of the country, says the department of government that col- lects the war tax, spent $500.000,000 in 1920 for jewelry, perfumes, powder. rouge, lipsticks and other frippery. And the statistician. who is inclined to moralize on that fact, says that the amount would build ‘twenty-two of the latest type of battle cruisers. And we are supposed to say Some- thing immediately about the terrible economic waste that woman's vanity imposes on the United Every man, at least. who reads this wiil smile in superior fashion—until he happens to wonder what was the to- bacco bill of the men during those twelve months. And who is there to maintain_that it is more civilized to spend $500,000.000 on navies and armies than to spend it for powder and rouge and lipsticks? What sena. tor would dare to rise and say: “M lions for defense, but not one cent for powder puffs”"?—San Francisco Call (independent). There's a telephone in every home where there is a marriageable daugh- ter.—Milwaukee Journal. Newspaper headline refers to a “Scotch Novelty.” It's getting to be more of a novelty every year.—Seat- tle Post-Intelligencer. ‘The Silesian plebiscite being com- pleted. the powers will now decide what is to be done with the province. —Detrolt Free Press. “Killed in California,” sa: line. Pe hape he remarked 1lke rain.”"—Buffalo Express. Bven if the Poles lose the coal mines they can import some Amer- icans who will show them how to' styp them from being worked.—New tven Journal-Courier. a head- “It looks Saturday . . Features 11th ST. N.W. They The House of Courtesy- The Inexpensive Dress Dept. Announces for Saturday a Very Unusual Sale of Really Remarkable Frocks Gathered from makers of high standing who have yielded to the persuasion of our buyers They are the styles and models which stand highest in fashion's preference right now—and include grades worth materially more than the markings we have given them. Divided into two groups. 15 oo 25 Dressy Dresses—for street, afternoon and evening wear—in Satin, Taffeta, Crepe de Chine, Georgette, Canton Crepe. Sport Dresses—with Tricolette Waists and Combination Skirts. Georgette and Tricolette combinations. Beautifully embroidered in self and contrasting colors; some elaborately beaded: some with smartly draped sashes. This is the greatest achievement of this Inexpensive Dress Dept.—a major opportunity. Wool Fur Truhu Sweaters Chokers Petticoats Arrived in time for Satur- 5 The silk that washes satis- day—250 of these attractive More than a fad—a real factorily—made with dee; wool sweaters with the tnlity/and comfort, forweas ruffies and of full width, The “brush wool collar and cuffs. ‘gcl;uir:ele i;::e ar:;sea—a:;: whole rainbow of fashion- Ty-on model—and in every M o able colors from, which to wanted shade. cLian SRS choose. Many New Models Are Added to the Assortment of Silk Blouses—for Saturday Overblouse and Ty-back and regular Tuck-in styles—with new . $ 5 neck and sleeve designs—Georgette and Crepe de Chine, with em- broidered collars, and applique lace. Also plain tailored Tricolette ‘ Featunng Two Carefully , Overblouses. All the new colors. All the staple shades. look for Assembled Lots of Coats and Wraps —that we have marked decidedly special for Saturday 1S ——72 Sport Coats, as sportive as your taste will incline. More Cogl— servative Coats—developed in Polo and Camel’s Hair weaves—in heather mixtures and plain shades; some faced in Angora effect. Wrappy Coats—of Dolman-like design; embroidered and fringed; with big capey collars and the new smart Capes elaborately embroid- ered—in Polo Cloth, Velour, Tweed, Homespun and the latest Knitted Wraps. A In Both Ladies’ and Misses’ Sizes