Evening Star Newspaper, June 26, 1921, Page 28

THE EVENING STAR, With Sunday: Morning Edition. e s WASHINGTON, D. C. SUNDAY.........June 26, 1921 THEODORE W. NOYES. . ..Editor rl‘ho Evening Star Nevrsn:p:’r Compn;' Business Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York Office: Tribune Building. Chicago Oftice: First National Bank Building. European Office: 3 Regent St., London. England. The Evening Star, with the Sunday morning editior ivered by carriers within the city at 60 Eents per month; dally only, 45 cents per moath: Nunday only, 20 ceats per month. Or- ders may be sent by mail, or telephone Main 5000. Collection 1s made by carriers at the 84 of each month. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Daily and Sunday.. Daily only... .1 Sunday onty. Daily only. Sunday_only 0 Departmental Reorganization. Chairman Brown of the congressional Joint commission on departmental re- organization says in an interview print- ed yesterday in The Star that he would like to see the elements of red tape eliminated from the government serv- ice as fully as possible. He urges that subordinates in the public offices should be given more authority, centering re- sponsibility upon them and cutting out the duplication of “approvals™ which, in the present system, pass from hand to hand, leaving each successive official but little more than the functions of a rubber stamp. 1f business principles are applied this can be done. No successful corporation multiplies its checks beyond the point of prac- tical need. Employes are given specific duties. They are charged with definite responsibilities. Within limits of de- fined policy they can conclude detailed transactions. Vises and approvals are required mainly in financial matters and, of course, legally binding signa- tures are given by direct representa- tives of the corporations. Every man's work is made to count. There is no lost motion. The result is the highest efficiency and the least expense. ‘There is no reason why the same prin- ciples should not be applied to govern- ment work. At present they are not so applied in the majority of the public offices. The heads of departments and bureaus sign without reading most of the papers laid before them, and to those papers are attached indorsements that represent the =zttention or the perfunctory inattention of sometimes four and five subordinates. One inter- mediary “approval” should suffice in most cases. The volume of business requiring the signature of the ultimate chief can be reduced. The more re- sponsibility is centered lower down the better work is done throughout the ranks. ‘The present conditions in the depart- ments are the results of many years of growth without co-ordination. The duplication of work and the overlap- ping of jurisdictions are features of this unsystematic increase in volume and variety of the government service. In the offices themselves there are, it may be said, layers upon layers of authority. For these conditions those in the service are in nowise responsibie. The government has “just growed,” like Topsy, and for lack of scientific business system adjustment the situa- tion today is unbusinesslike. No estimate can be made of the sav- ing to be effected through the adoption of business principles of organization, the cutting out of needless overlapping authority and supernumerary indorse- ments and approvals. But the total will mount into many millions without fail. And whether the force is greatly reduced or not those who finally con- stitute public service personnel will be more competent by reason of having more responsibility, with the require- ment of meeting it satisfactorily. ‘Was He Guilty? A week ago a woman was found besten to death in New York in the gffice of a building material company where her husband was watchman. The first theory was that she had been aroused by the noise made by burglars and, going into the office, had been attacked by them. Then, later, the police found evidences that threw doubt on this hypothesis and suspicion upon the husband. They did not arrest him, but the suspicion spread through the neighborhood. The people round about betrayed their ques- tion in their eyes. The children stared at him in the streets. He was shun- ned by former associates. The other day he cut his throat and left a note de- claring that he loved his wife and had not killed her. And all this raises the old, old question which never can be answered- Was he guilty? Was his act of selfdestruction one of confes- sion despite his note, or one of despair induced by the injustice of the doubts that had risen in the minds of his neighbors? Those who looked askance at him cannot fail to be troubled at this thought, that possibly they were unjust in trying and convicting the man in their minds before the law had accused him. If this man was inno- cent he was lynched by public con- demnation. —_———— The Secretary of the Treasury now has some large mathematical prob- lems before him which it is believed he should be permitted to work out <with as little interruption as possible. ———————— The oll business of the world used %0 be controlled by the Standard Oil Company and others. The elimination ©f the others steadily proceeds. T The Saloon and Resurrection. Now and then, in discussions of pro- ‘hibition, one hears something like this: Torever. stored. Meeting places where men of ‘weak wills and convivial dispositions ‘blew in money intended for their fam. ilies and filled their skins with in. Jjurious stuff are impossible now for- evermore.* ‘This puts the odium that attached to the drink solely on the shoulders of the creature known at that time, znd still remembered, as John Barley- corn. In the days of his vigor and @ctivity, J. B, was & mighty evil. His was the power above all others that “made drunk come.” But the champlons of prohibition are asking themselves if this states the true case. Granted that J. B. was the head devil, was he the only devil that harbored in the saloon? the only in- ! fluence there that made for waste and indulgence and demoralization? . that gave to such places the name that caused a shudder in countless house- holds throughout the country? The militant prohibitionists answer no. And hence their stout opposition to any tinkering with the law. They T the wreckage was cleared engineers proposed the construction of & great sea wall at a cost of many millions. The plan was adopted and the work ‘was done, and after several years the wall was completed. Since then Gal- veston has been greatly eased in mind on the score of such visitations. Though the waters have risen in stress of storm, the wall has given protec- tion. Within a few hours a hurricane has passed along the Texas coast, sweecping past Galveston and moving northward. A vast volume of water was blown landward from the gulf. have no fear about the repeal of the|The waves were dashed against the eighteenth amendment. A direct move-|sea wall and yesterday afternoon they | ten¢ ment to that end would be a foolish challenge, and open up the whole drink traffic controversy afresh. But if it is ot enforced, what is that amendment but a virtuous proclamation—a mere gesture? Hence the attitude of those who are insisting on a thorough enforcement of < | the amendment and all that in it is. They are well persuaded that modify- ing action of any kind will lead to the reopening of the saloon, and the re- appearance of J. B. there in much of his old form and influence. Though under cover, the head devil will be on hand just the same. The New Schoolhouses. Completion by September, 1922, of all the school buildings authorized by Con- gress in the recent deficiency appro- priation provision is to be undertaken by the District officials. This is as- suredly to be desired. Heretofore much difficulty has been caused by the delays in school construction. In some | cases buildings were not available for three school years after the enactment of the appropriation. Changes in plan, shifting building conditions, defaults in contracts, all had the effect of post- poning completion, and the school sys- tem suffered. Much of the congestion of the past few years was due to these delays. Building conditions are more favor- able for rapid construction now than at any time in five or six years. Ma- 1 terials are available and labor is more plentiful. Costs are lowering and con- tractors can figure with greater cer- tainty on the prospective expense. There is no apparent reason why the entire school structure program can- not be completed in time for the school year of 1922-23. began to break over it. But there was | little apprehension, for the people trusted the wall. They knew the work was good and that the structure would stand almost limitless pressure. Warn- ing was given to merchants in the lower part of town to move their goods | to upper levels in their buildings. There was no panic, for, though the ‘waves might rise still higher and there might be a slight inundation of the shore part of town, it was felt that there could be no violent rush of wa- ter as in 1900. Doubtless had the sea wall not been in place this present hurricane, would have swept the tides into Galveston and destroyed much property. possibly as much as the wall cost. I American Steel Wins Abroad. A good sign comes from London, in an announcement that American bid- ders for steel axles for the Indian state railways have secured a contract “run- ning into six figures sterling.” They were so far below British competitors that they secured the job with ease, their bids being about 30 per cent less than the lowest British offers. This is the first time a contract for the Indian | railways has been let outside of the empire. If American steelmakers can thus far outbid British rivals for foreign trade, they are in an advantageous position with respect to their home market. It is to be assumed that they will give American consumers of steel products the benefit of that advantage. It may be, of course, that they are seeking the foreign trade at a loss, in order to establish a market abroad. But such tactics are always reaction- ary, leading to an insistent demand at If, however, there|home for the first benefits of lowering are delays, the District officials in, prices. charge should seek to advance some of) The steel business at present is at the buildings and prepare them with- out fail for the school opening fifteen months hence, and not let the whole project lag for lack of workers or ma- terials. It this effort is successful and all the schools now provided for are com- pleted by September, 1922, there will ieven then be arrears, to be met, jt is to be hoped, by new constructions pro- vided for by appropriations granted next winter. The school development program has by no means been com- pleted with these additions, which do not fully meet the requirements of to- day, not to speak of the additions to the school population in the course of the next fifteen months. If in the next regular District bill further provisions, are made, and in the bill next follow- ing another series of constructions is authorized, and these works are all pushed rapidly to completion, and this process is continued for a féw years, each year's school construction pro- vision being somewhat ahead of the immediate prospective needs, the Dis- trict's schools will in a comparatively short time be brought up to date. They should then be kept there by a care- fullv considered, regular system of an- nual additions. Gompers’ Re-Election. Samuel Gompers’ re-election as the president of the American Federation of Labor by a vote of over two to one —25,022 to 12,324—is to be welcomed as a guarantee of continued conserva- tism in the administration of this coun- try's largest and most powerful labor organization. usual complimentary tender of one more term for the chief executive, for Mr. Gompers' candidacy had been chal- lenged by another, whose claims were pressed warmly and enthusiastically by his subordinate organization and other groups of unionists. More was involved than the personal ambition of the contestants. Mr. Gompers’ rival represented an element that regards the strike not merely as the last resort of workingmen, but as a regular pri- mary means of compulsion. Had the federation given him its vote and placed him at its head the principle of arbitration and peaceful adjustment of trade differences would have been greatly weakened. This is a critical time for American labor, a time of wage readjustment in- evitably following the abnormal infla- tion caused by the war, and the wisest councils are needed to prevent dis- aster, not merely to the workers, but to the whole industrial system of the country. A radical policy of “direct action,” stubborn, unreasoning resist- jance to the cost changes that must come if health is to be restored to American business, would work infinite harm. In re-electing Mr. Gompers the American Federation of Labor has again manifested the breadth of view and intelligent comprehension of the mutuality of interests which forms the basis of all industry that has generally marked its course heretofore. The prospect of & speedy return of business activity and general employment at fair rates of compensation is bright- ened by yesterday's vote at Denver. ————— Disappearances of ships call for vigilance at sea such as is exercised over automobiles on land. Lenin does not find Trotsky as good a prospectus writer as he was & agandist. The Galveston Sea Wall. Early in September, 1900, a terrific storm broke in the Gulf of Mexico and a tidal wave struck the coast at the city of Galveston. Appalling destruc- tion resulted. Between 6,000 and 7,000 lives were lost and property was de- disaster was in large part due to the fact that Galveston lay low upon the coast, with no protection whatever from the gulf, the waters of which had stroyed estimated at $30,000,000. This|- low ebb here. Many mills are closed and many others are running at part time. Some of the companies have passed their dividends. Uncertainty of future business conditions and espe- cially the lack of assurance regarding | taxes have slackened building and other works calling for steel products. The railroads are in need of materials, the supply of which alone would prob- ably restore the steel industry to well- nigh normal activity. Lowering of prices would perhaps stimulate con- struction works. It is a bit hard on home consumers to see American steel contracts secured in England by a 30 per cent underbidding. —_———re———— Reports indicate that producers of musical shows are taking note of rail- road conditions and economize more than ever on the transportation of wardrobe- trunks:- One of the qumhm; of finance is how well @ broker’s firm ought to be acquainted with a messenger before intrusting him with $50,000 worth of bonds. —————— A Chicago man secured & divorce be- cause his wife desired him to lead a butterfly existence. It is a wise actor who can realize that he.has been mis- cast. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON, A Question. It was more than the) We have had some great inventions And the most of their intentions ‘Were to help along the progress of the earth. ‘We have kept the language going On electric currents flowing ‘With messages of business or of mirth. There is quick communication ‘With the farthest foreign nation, Regardless of the billows as they roar. Yet men still deceive and plunder And we're often left to wonder 1f the world is any wiser than before. The interchange is tireless, Every means from mail to wireless 1s hurrying some message to convey. Yet the various institutions That are looking for solutions Find the problems growing harder every day. It one burst of conversation “s0es not help a situation There is always an abundance of some more. ‘With all our rapid movement In mechanical improvement, Are we really any wiser than before. Two Sides to an Interview. “You took a great deal of pains to discuss your own political prospects with that lobbyist.” . “Yes,” replied Senator Sorghum, “I'm not absolutely certain whether he was lobbying or I was electioneer- ing.” Incredulity. “There are books in the running brooks,” said the man who was after trout. . “Yes,” replied Farmer Corntossel. “That's another of them old fisherman storfes.” Habitual Gloom. And still the pessimist will frown And rall against his lot; The cost of living may go down, The mercury will not. Jud Tunkins says the motion picture as an educationsl institution has & great advantage because nobody wants to play hookey. A Professional Preference. “What portion of ‘Hamlet’ do you like best?" “The interview with the players,” replied Mr. Stormington Barmes. “Not ons of the actors wanted to stop re-|at present. The visit he Next Year’s Majorities. BY THOMAS R. MARSHALL. ‘What about next year's majorities?| Former Vice President of the United ‘What per cent of last year's figures can the republicans afford to lose with- out impairment of the prestige of last year's smashing victory? Last year's conditions, or conditions even approaching them, will probably never appear again. They grew ot of a general unsettledness produced by a war that had shaken the world. With us there was general dlscon- As the phrase goes, the People ‘wanted a change. They had become tired of Mr. Wilson and all that he represented. Hence, great numbers of democrats, believing that the election of Gov. Cox would result in a continua- tion of Wilsonism under a new name, voted for Mr. Harding. Their purpose first of all was to make sure of the defeat of Wilsonism. These men, or, at any rate, many of them, feeling that they have accom- plished that purpose, and feeling satis- fied with that performance, are now of & humor to return to their old affilia- tions, and under a new leadership, to be determined by events, strike out again on old party lines. How many of them can the repub- licans afford to lose, and yet keep a strong hold on the affairs of the coun- try? That is the question. It i= conceded that the combination that triumphed so signally last Novem- ber cannot be held together for another campaign. The times are changing. New interests are appearing and as. serting themselves. New men are com- ing to the front. New alignments are inevitable. Still, that combination can dissolve without bringing about republican de- feat—the transfer of congressional con- trol to the democrats—and the prob- lem of the republicans is to hold the inevitable dissolution within limits as little damaging to them as possible. —_—— Bosses. ‘Where are the bosses of yesteryear? The word does not necessarily carry reproach. There are bosses and bosses. Some are men of entirely selfish aims —men of the “get-there-regardless-of- the-means” variety. Others are sim- ply students and practitioners of in- tensive politics, who play the game eagerly and skillfully up to the han- dle, but with an underlying sense of fairness and cordiality. Death has taken toll. Roger Sulli- van is no more. The vacancy has been filled in a way, but not in a large way. The man's name is unknown to the general public; and last year the democracy of Chicago and Cook county looked under his leadership like 30 cents. George B. Cox of Cincinnati is no more. His successor has not as yet performed any of the Cox stunts. Cin- cinnati and Hamilton county were easy for the republicans last year; but so was the whole of Ohio. Thomas Taggart, to the gratification of many democrats, and republicans as ‘well, still lives. Personally he is very popular. But the latest contests in Indiana made deep dents in his boss- ship, and he may not come again with the old-time fire and exhilaration. Charles F. Murphy is still on deck, but, as some believe, making his last fight. If he can this year recover full control of the big town he will call the performance a day's work and quit. But where is William Barnes, who from his headquarters in Albany used to give the democrats a run for their money? Little is heard of him now, or has been these several years past. In some form or other, of varying simes—some large, some small—we shall always have bosses with us. They inhere in all orders of government, from despotisms to democracies, and ‘when born 80, as many seem to be, are great factors in making the wheels go round. —_———————— The Coming Tariff Debate. How long will it be before we have a new tariff law? How long will it take the Fordney bill to make its way through the House, and then through the Senate? And what will be the size of the job imposed upon the con- ference committee? . Congress has always taken a sort of pleasure in ‘‘chewing on’ a measure for tariff revision. Thirty-one years ago the McKinley measure did not reach the President’s table for his sig- States. ' DARE assert that when 1 was Governor of Indiana I was the friend of the men who worked on the railroads of the country and that I proved my friendship. I gave not mere lip service, but made genuine effort to enact reme- dial legislation to protect life and limb and to promote the satety and convenience of employes and pas- sengers. 1 am sorry to recall that our ef- forts, most of which were success- ful, did not have the support of the owners of the roads nor receive their indorsement. Indeed, such laws as we passed were written on the statute books over the protest and in spite of objections made by the owners and managers of the properties, who opposed our re- forms not because they were use- less or unneeded, but because they involved increased expenditures which could not well be met with the revenue coming in. * * k% I refer to my official acts only to remind railroad workers that I am their proven friend. This should grant me the right to make sug- gestions concerning matters of current interest to them and to the public at large. The great weak- ness of our common humanity is that we believe only those to be our friends who agree with us. We resent any interference on the part of strangers masquerading as friends. Every unfortunate experience I ever had at the bar came from giv- ing advice which my client did not want and would not follow, or from the distribution of free and unsolicited advice. This is particu- larly obnoxious to most of us. We rather pride ourselves on our ability to manage our own affairs. Free advice is apt to be dangerous. The chances are that it will not be taken, and that it will bring only blame, abuse, enmity, to the one volunteering it. T remember a fistic encounter be- tween a preacher in our town and one of his neighbors. The man who was more used to fighting the devil than fighting humans was getting the worst of it when a dis- tinguished judge, who subsequent- ly adorned the supreme court of Indiana. lent a hand by pulling off the assailant and helping the divine to his feet. Were his services ap- preciated? Was he thanked? Stiff- ly the parson addressed him: “Judge. 1 wish you would mind your own business. If I need your assistance when T am engaged in a little controversy with a friend T will let you know." * % k% The least understood of all scrip- ture is the statement: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” T use the railroads much more than the average man in America. I travel most of the time. I ap- preciate the dangers of the men who run the trains and work in the yards and shops. I remember say- ing long ago that as a mere matter of safety I would join the Army rather than enter the railroad serv- fce. Much advance has been made in® recent years in promoting safety. Accidents are fewer. The slogan “Safety first” has been uppermost in the minds of employes and travelers. Ambulance-chasing laws+ yers, surgeons and undertakers find it profitable no longer to linger about railroad stations and yards. It must be admitted that the bulk of remedial legislation by states and the Congress is due to the agitation and insistent de- ‘mands of labor organizations. They have always found governors and legislators who had listening and impartial ears. And the brother- hoods have brought this good work—to their own glory!—with- out the aid of strikes. They have made their appeal to right and reason; not to force. They have lustly added fo the expense of rail- road operations. They must not now say that some of the expen- sive changes looking to increased safety can be dispensed with. The safety of the public, as well as TRADE ECONOMY American business and financial lead- nature until within a few weeks of the | érs are new counseling the world how to November election day. Twenty-seven years ago the Gor- effect economics in the gathering of raw materials, manufscture, transportation and distribution of local surplus so 83 man-Wilson measure did not emerge o best to supply the world'’s needs and fromn conference until August, andy.., tne wheels of Industry whirring so then Mr. Cleveland permitted it to be-|tnat there may be abundant employment come a law without his signature. Twelve years ago it was August be- and resultant happy homes. More than 200 leading American fore th> Payne revision was laid before | business men are now in London to Mr. Taft. He signed it, but with the |attend a conference of eleven nations knowledge that it had split his party|during this week whose purpose is in Congress wide open. Eight years ago the Senate held the Underwood bill under review for five months, and made many changes in the House's work over the House's protest. to find means of hastening the res- toration of world commerce in spite of complicated obstacles greater than ever before encountered in all his- tory. This international Chamber of Commerce gathering has resulted The Fordney bill, therefore, 18 not| som the international trade confer- likely to gallop through Congress on|.nc. at Atlantic City in 1919. The its way to the White House. There| smerican pioneers see in this an are means—the rules committee can|agency for elimination of trade prac- provide them—for expediting its pas-|tices which cause international fric- sage through the House, but it will] tion. have to take its chances in the Sen- ate. ate seats to be filled next year—equally et!i And as there are thirty-two Sen-| which has recen! They hope for closer interna- business co-operation. The e-eminence in world trade tly come to the Unit- States has quickened the interest American business and financial tional place of pri divided between the two parties—sen-| $o.dera in putting the workadsy af- ators are certain to make their tariff|fairs of record this year with deliberation. ———————— The assertion by the English tary of state for foreign affairs that{a mammo the question of mandates is obscure is| t! a discouragement. No subject has call- ed forth more prolonged and patient|tion are: explanation. ———————— The assertion of aviation experts that a good force of airmen can de-|per, views stroy any fleet in a day cannot be dis- missed as & boastful expression of pro- fessional prejudice. ———— e Canada announces a birth rate twice | commerce i as great as the mortality with the secre. | being th: f the ‘vorld 1n urde:.. s merican represen are prz::re‘?! to make certain definite recommendations, chief among them at of the American railway hich proposes the creation of th equipment pool to finance f railroad equipment. The llllhlel:tl onu ‘l“hh‘.h“:h. s will ask particular atten- A (1) Finance, (2) transpor- d communication, (3) pro- duction, (4) distribution, (5) restora- tion of the devastated regions. John H. y, one of the American directors of the international cham- the meeting this week as one of the most important gatherings of the business men of the world ever held. “More clearly than ever be- fore it has come to the people every where,” he points oull; “th:l ::e afl\clie‘m. expansion of the world’s ad “Myl lh’e greatest influence in and measures the degree nt and happiness which group, W he sale of five main tation ant all progress, f contentme! pride that is proper when the ledger :neu may enjoy.” = balance is on the right side. * ¥ The meeting of the bankers and Liloyd George is only taking @ rest}, siness men of the principal coun- is to make]iriop in the world is to take up seri- propoaitios the HE SUNDAY STAR. WASHINGTON, .D. C. JUNE 26, 1921—PART 2. POLITICS AT HOME|Regulating Railway Wage their own safety, demands that there be no backward step. It has been claimed. 1 believe, by brotherhood leaders that they did not ask for the Adamson law which was enacted in the fall of 1918. Perhaps they did not, but they let it be known that a general strike would tie up the transportation system of the country if the broth- erhoods did not get what they asked. Their demands were met; at least the railroad men continued to work. They must have approved of the law, for no strike was or- dered, and the trains were run as usual. The country escaped a catastrophe that threatened. Grant to the men every fair inference that may be drawn, amd yet the fact remains that they accepted the benefits of the new law. If they did not approve of the law, and thought the Congress had not the power to legislate in the way it did, they owed it to some of us who were defending thelaw and explain- ing the circumstances of its enact- ment to join the railroad owners in the contention that the Congress had exceeded its constitutional au- thority. But they did not. Without protest they accepted the benefits of the law and suffered the enactment to be upheld. * ¥ ¥ ¥ ‘The Supreme Court held that the Congress possessed the power it had exercise Railroad own- ers and employes accepted the de- cision. Whether rightfully or not, the average man among us now believes—and I have great faith in the intellectual honesty of the average man when he is not mad— that the Congress has the power to fix the wages of those engaged in interstate commerce. The Congress may exercise this power directly by an act of its own, or through the medium of a board created for that purpose. To say that force must be used to rectify a wrong 18 to declare that barbarism rather than civilization works for right- eousness. It is to’ proclaim Wil- liam of Germany a more admirable character than Woodrow Wilson. This I deny. 1 am not foolish enough to say that the recent wage reduction of railroad employes is just or justi- fiable. I believe the reduction to have been honestly made. I know it was lawfully made. One concept of wages is too often in the pay envelope and not often cnough in the expense account. It is not how many dollars I re- ceive for my services that is vital, but what I can buy for the dollars that I receive. Some day states- manship and science will unite to stabilize the dollar in purchasing power the world and the year around. Actual and not antici- pated evil is the problem to be considered in the controversy over railroad wages. The prices of commodities have tumbled, and still are on the decline. It is pos- sible that the reduced wage will soon buy as much as the increased wage of a year ago bought then. 1f so. the workers surely will have no complaint. * % * ¥ * ‘790 have heretofore acquiesced in fhcreases granted and sanc- tioned by the government. They have said in the past that the gov- ernment was right. Will they now arbitrarily say the government is wrong? Have they so poor an opinion of those of us who have been their friends in the past that they cannot trust the common sense of the public, who have an inter- est in uninterrupted traffic and general welfare to insist on jus- tice for them? Do they think that in matters which affect us as well as them we will consent that they shall be the exclusive judge? No man, no body .of men. can prosper without the good will of the average, everyday American citisen. These citizens were startled in September, 1916, when the Adamson law prevented a strike which impended, but a majority of them held fast to their faith in the law-abiding character and good intentions of railroad men. I hope we are not to lose it in 1921. (Copyright, 1921, by Thomas RB. Marshall.) WORLD PARLEY process of reconstruction. After two and 2 balf years of experience follow- ing the armistice this conference to devise ways of hurrying the arrival of a mew normalcy is of very great importance. It is upon the shoulders of these men that the task falls of restoring to full operation, with as little delay as possible, the world’s facilities for doing business whi were so sadly disrupted by the war. ‘With the creation of & permanent headquarters for the International Chamber of Commerce, the organiza- tion of a staff of experts in connec- tion therewith, as well as the co- operation of commissione: repre- senting each of the countries perma- nently attached to the headquarters, the business and financial interests of the world now command for the first time a piece of machinery capable of renderin, ractical assistance such as ne béfore existed. With the organization at work for months in advance of the London sessions, there is every reason to belleve that significant steps may be taken toward the promotion .of better world com- mercial conditions, and the estab- lishment of some order in the place of chaos which now exists. - * % Certainly no other- country in the world can have a greater stake in the International Chamber of Com- merce than the United Statées. Every intelligent business man in the coun- try now understands, if he failed to understand before, that, with its pres- ent enormous capacity for produc- tion, the United States cannot hope for stability of business conditions and a real foundation for domestic prosperity unless we are able to dis- pose regularly of our surplus prod- ucts. We are unable to do that today, and our stocks of foodstuffs and raw materials have accumulated to the point where it becomes necessary to limit production, while our factories by the thousands are wholly idle or working only on part time because our former customers, and the new buyers developed during the past four years, are unable to purchase. 2 We have been forced into world- ‘wide commercial and financial activ- ity In fields where our understanding is limited. The confidence with which many of our bysiness men undertook business abroad a few years ago has been shaken severely by the expe- rience of the last eighteen months, and we now see that there is much for us to in connection with world - & Hot weather last week led to some curious happenings. Take that street car going along U street. There were two women in it, and three men, the latter hold- ing their hats in their hands to get the benefit of the breeze caused by the motion of the car. At 14th street two men got aboard. Their attire and general appearance marked them as “rubes,” fresh from the country. They were the only passengers who got on it, being at the in-between time in the afternoon, when the cars |are more or less empty. Once seated, ihe two men looked around. One punched the other, and whis- pered. Buth looked at the other three men, hats in hands, and then at the two women. Then, with one accord, the men from the country removed their hats. a When in Rome, do as the Romans 0! ! = * A gentleman was driving his car to Union station, when a coat slung over the door slipped overboard. The coat lighted in front of a bi- cycle policeman, who stooped to pick it up, then drew back. From about fifty feet down the street the driver of the automobile saw the policeman call to a truck driver. The latter got down, picked up the coat and brought it over to the owner. When the policeman strolled over, the man in the automobile was plain- ly curious. “] was sorry 1 couldn't pick that coat up for you. began the officer. “You see, there is a regulation which makes its mandatory on us to return to headquarters anything we find on the street,” he continued. “Yes, even though 1 knew it was yours, and saw you drop. it if 1 had picked it up it wo up to me to turn it in. a why I called the other fellow. E x “What do you have to do to see it™" That is the question being asked by fond parents who have taken their young hopefuls out to the Zoo to see the manatee, or sea cow, which has taken up its residence in the lion house. Down at the bottom of a tank next the alligator pen the 1,500-pound mam- mal spends its time these hot days, probably brooding over the ¥lorida lake from which it was wrested. The point is that one has to have deep sea glasses to see the manatee. Resolutely lying on the bottom of the tank, the sea cow comes up for the tip of its nose about every five minutes. During the intervals it seems to exhale rather than inhale. But even then it is hard work to get any idea of what the critter 1ooks Iike. “It does look li'k‘e‘ a cow, an optimistic watcher. ; Mu;be it does, and maybe it doesn't. There are even disgruntled ones who plainly state that ihe manatee might as well have remained in Florida as come to the National Zoological Park to remain at the bottom of a tank. * declared bulk, there is no doubt. Calling, “Hey, bossy, bossy.” won't budge it. Chunks of succulent water grass floating on the surface fail utterly to bring the female sea cow to the top. 1t has been suggested that painting the manatee white, with black stripes. might facilitate matters. but o0 authorities are hoping the sea cow will not remain at the bottom of her forever. tnk ((’SHABY.LEE E. TRACEWELL. s[HEARD AND SEEN|FIFTY YEARS AGO IN THE STAR. One of the features of the territorial organization of the District was the board of public Proposed Plan of works. headed by the governor, charged with the Public Works. duty of proposing and upon approval by legislature executing all municipal improvements. The first plan was submitted to the house of delegates June 20, 1871. In The Star of the next day this plan is thus discussed: “The plan propored by the board of public works for a general system of improvements ni(urn&ly excites much comment and considerdble diversity of opinion. Generally it may be said to be favored by those dissatisfied with the haphazard, disjointed, patchwork style of ‘improvements’ carried on un- der municipal rule and who want te make a new departure from thal thriftless, brainless and enormously expensive system—or rather no eya: em. “The question is in a nutshell: “Shall we go in the old way, or xhall we, in entering upon our new terri- torial. career, adopt some general, systematic, permanent plan of im- provements and carry it steadily out! Unless this is done in the start the case i{s hopeless. We shall inevitably drift back into the patchwork prof- ligacy of the past, when jobbing ‘im- provement’ bills were rushed through councils at the rate of half a mils lion dollars a night and executed in 2 way that left the streets in a rathes wotse condition than they were be- ore. “Did tte world ever see guch ‘im- provements'? Grades that wouldn't match; drainage directed up hill; ‘grading and graveling’ done without either grade or gravel, sewers run- ning nowhere—single-brick sawers uld have been!slumping in on the slightest provo- ‘That was|cation and engulfing unwary travel- ers, then heavy damages against the city and more appropriations for other single-brick sewers leading nowhere; dirt cutting done ‘by the d-a-y* s that mounted up from 17 oents to $2.50 per yard; street crossings eilher undergrade or o le; sidewalks sloping in- ward; gutters planned for the ac- commodation of the hogs. in 3 meries of standing pools and mud- wallows, eta! A high old system —particularly for the taxpavers! Shall these patchwork ‘improve- ments’ be perpetuated and extended or shall there be a proper plan? “The sum named to carry out the proposed plan apears large. but iz really less than has been frittered away in purposeless expenditures within a short period in this city alone, for it must be remembered that this tax is for the improvement of the whole District and falls upon the whole District. No additionad rate of taxation, however, is pro- posed. and while the burden of gen- eral taxation will not be increased the individual burdens in the way of special taxes will be reduced to the minimum. “The only point is whether the board of public works could be in- trusted with the expenditure of this money on this extensive scale of improvements. Of course, it is easy to find fault with public officers, but is not our board of public works as capable, reliable and energetic an executive body as we are ever likely to have? “If we cannot trust men with the execution of our improvements any give them the opportunity to carry them out on a plan that commends itself to their judgment, we may as well go back to the old shiftless, ir- responsible, profligate, purposeless mu- nicipal system.” DIGEST OF FOREIGN PRESS International Credits. In connection with the recent an- nouncement concerning the refunding of the allied debts the discussion of world finance now being carried on in the Independence Belge is particularly interesting. The following article explains the plan adopted by the international financial conference re- cently held in Brussels, which would establish private credits throush a guarantee of the resources of the country sssessed by special agents appointed by the league of nations. ‘The Independence says: “In all parts of the earth the most distinguished economists and the greatest technical experts are trying continually to find a remedy for the financial confusion which is weighing on improverished Europe. And the problem in the face of the tremendous debts occasioned by the war some- times seems so difficult to solve that in some creditor countries, particular- ly in America, some eminent bankers resolutely brave the matter and ad- vocate canceling the whole or the part, as the case may require, of the allied debts. “‘Apart from this radical suggestion, other interesting ideas propose the creation of international financial or- ganizations, in order to open credits lor those countries which. were vic- tims of the war. Here is one of the plans called the ‘Meulen plan,’ which ‘was approved by the international financial conference held at Brussels last September, and by the commission of international credits, whose vote was ratified unanimously by the plenary conference. “So much of it as has been dpfin- itely accepted constitutes a practical s | project which can be applied as soon as the natiol concerned have ex- pressed the d e to profit by it. “The ‘Meulen’ plan is an attempt to overcome one of the greatest ob- stacles to the resumption of normal business, knowing the difficulties of certain business men in obtaining short or long terms of credit, which are indispensable to their imports. ‘This project does not pretend to be the .nostrum against all economic evils. “The project consists essentially in this—that it provides encouragement to commerce by means of special guarantees for increasing the credit of importers; that these guarantees are to be formed by state obligations and will be lent by the state which issues them to its own people: that the intrinsic value of these obliga- tions will be established so as to in- spire the clients with confidence from the fact that these obligations can only be issued to the amount of the value in gold of the cash in hand which covers them, value which must be verified by an international commission of competent men chosen by the league of nations, from which they will hold their power; that these obligations will be of a kind to in- terest the clients, for the money in which they will be expressed will be at the convenience of the clients (in principle, it will be the money of e Adoubtealy Tole ject is open b oul y 0] s 0] to ortcismn, But it must be admitied that no project of international credit would be absolutely fayitless. The t advantage of this one is that t provides the means of moblilising the whole credit of a eoull:{ in order to increase that of each single one of its own tradesmen. The re- suit would be forelgn trad who formerly with private firms to hesitate. A first ati these conditions with t! of & lur:' ‘u“nnt'll IG'II‘I‘II:‘ ve o] unity of ;'5..&2? they had exaggerated the risks. f this practical experience shows the ‘possibility of solid com- mercial relations, the fact alone that the application of the project per- mitted these first transactions will contribute to the improvement of conditions and will decrease future risks. There is every reason to be- lieve that it will be beginning of a series of pi O ive improvements Which will soon industry i - s = and commerce in such conditions that they will become possible without spocial assistance.” Dinner Thirty Francs, Tip Forty. One reason why prices on the tour- ist routes in Europe go up by leaps and bounds is picturesquely given in the Paris Matin. The writer says. “The presidents of the hotel syndi- cates were recently received by M Andre Paisant. He told them that a violent campaign was going on in the United States because of the ex- orbitant prices asked from the Ameri- cans in some of our hotels. I will not say that this never happena™ says the writer, “but the caszes are very limited. If the United States is being made use of to injure Frenab traveling the campaign must have same Germanic origin as those who are trying in Switzerland and in Hol. land to frighten travelers away from Alsace and publish that there is an epidemic of influenza, and even of plague. in Strasburg. “Let us add” he continues. “that in reality it is the Americans’ own fault in many cases where complaints have been made. “Here is an anecdote: One of my friends stopped one day before an old inn in Normandy. where he was received by the innkeeper dressed in a simple blue blouse. “Suddenly a wonderful new car stopped before the house and some Americans got out. and very soon ail these elegant people were sitting ‘round the table without a cloth. They all seemed very satisfled and smiled with pleasure at each new dish. “When they had paid the bill the innkeeper, perfectly furious, came up to my friend an : “‘Whatever sort of people are hose? Their bill came to 30 francs and they gave forty as a tip to the servant! Evidently I didn’t ask them enough.’ “At this minute the American call- ed the innkeeper and said to him: ‘You gave us an old wine which was very good. Could you sell me a few bot- es? “*Oh, Norman. “‘How much a bottle” “Then the innkeeper stepped up to the stupified American and shrieked n his face: “‘One hundred thousand francs’' “I don't know if the lesson did any good,” concludes the writer. “But wasn't it well deserved? It is such behavior which causes other Ameri- cans who are not millionaires to suf- fer from high prices. The victims ought_rather to be angry not with the French, but with their own wasteful compatriots who think it clever. perhaps wrongly, to display their fortune on every table in coun- tries where the exchange is low. If dollars are thrown out of the win- dow, it is mot fair to complain if some one picks them up.” Knights of the “Svastika.” “Knights of the Svastika” are ap- pearing all over Germany, says the London Observer. Above and beyond the immediate issue of Bilesia. the aim of these defenders of the father- land is directed aguinst the govern- ment in general. Avowedly monarch- istic in aim, they are violently Judo- phobe and eager to use the siightest pretext to make their views public. This end is accomplished, not only by the sign of the svastika on their hel- mets, but by legends strewn broad- it's very dear,’ answered the em | ost bearing such signs as “Ebert the First—Ebert the Last” The government has accomplished won- ders in the way of suppression when the illicit troops are openly directed against the enemy abroad. Nothing scems powerful enough to stop the unhappy tendency existing in Ger- many to leave foreign politics to ad- just themselves and start remling’the enemy within the gates. Jew or Gen- tile, should he but venture to diffcr op _uuuou of ".'""“’ e