Evening Star Newspaper, August 9, 1921, Page 6

| | THE EVENING STAR, _ With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. TUESDAY........August 9, 1921 THEODORE W. NOYES. .. .Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York Office: 150 Nassau 8t. Chicago O First National Bank Building. European Office: 3 Regent St., London, England. the Sunday morning riers within the city daily only. 43 cents per 0 cents per month. ‘mail. or telephone Main Collection is made by carriers at the end of each month. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. All Other States. Daily and Sunday.1yr., $10.00: 1 mo., 85¢ Daily only 00: 1 mo., 60c Sunday only The Traction Question. Tomorrow, if present expectations are realized, the House District com- mittee will meet and take up for con- sideration the pending bill for the cor- rection of the street railway troubles. This measure.: favored by a majority of the committee up to this time, | poses to permit the merger of the two main traction systems and the Poto- mac Electric Power Company, thus putting into one corporation all the power and traction facilities at the capital. As a means to the end of ef- fecting such a merger it proposes toj change the method of taxation, shift- ing from gross to net revenue Such a measure is best calculated to provide a remedy for the present ills from which corporations and the public are suffering. There is no war- rant or demand for municipal owner- ship, proposed by some as a correc- tion. No relief would lie in the aboli- tion of the Public Utilities Commis- sion. The practical question relates 0 the best meang of bringing into a gle system the two now distinct corporations, which if united would vield the District an admirable serv- ice. with a broad foundation for future development and with facilities for carrying the people speedily and safe- 1y for a reasonable rate of fare. At present the trouble is that ona of the two systems cannot carry the people as cheaply as the other system, owing to heavy overhead charges and the ownership of a large trackage of at present unprofitable but eventu-} ally valuable lines. Zone fares are noti desired by the public, and so the long suburban lines, not yvet profitable, re- main a drag upon the more heavily patronized urban lines. Obviously two different rates of fare cannot be es- tablished, cheaper on the now more prosperous system and dearer on the other, without increasing the difficul- ties of the latter through loss of pa- tronage and without unduly burdening the line of cheaper fares with traffic. ‘The rate of fare at which a merged street railway system could profitably carry the people lies undoubtedly at a lower point than that which the utilities commission has fixed. The people want a lower rate of fare.| provided they get adequate service.| They do not want to send either com- pany into the hands of receivers. They do not want the Washington Railway and Electric' Company to abandon the ‘suburban lines, which are now a finan- cial drag upon it. Undoubtedly there is some degree of public prejudice against the Wash- | ington Railway and Electric Company, the result of serious mistakes of man- agement in the past, in the treatment of both the people and the emploves. | But that time has gone and there is a new management. considerate of both public and workers. The service is im- | proved, as rapidly as possible the tracks are being brought up to stand- ard, after some years of decrepitude, due in large part to war conditions. The prejudice is being- dissipated by this showing of good faith. Merger may be difficult of attain- ment. Much depends upon the ques-| tion of valuation, concerning which there is a pronounced difference of opinfon between the companies and between them and the utilities com- mission. But in any case there should; be a change in the basis of taxation, to net instead of gross revenues. There should be relief from the wholly unwarranted burden of the cost of crossing police service, which is a municipal charge not assignable by any fair rule as a charge against the Toads. 2 Tomorrow’s meeting of the District committee will be fruitful if it results in agreement to present the Woods bill, with some modifications, to the House for_early passage. The people of the capital hope for such action. —_———————— An eminent actor has to be legally separated from a distinguished picture star and singer. For further particu-| lars see press agents’ bulletins. Reminders have been numerous and | often tragic that an aeroplane is for use and not for joyriding. The Governor's Immunity. Despite the refusal of the court to entertain the plea that the chief execu- tive of the state cannot be arrested for any cause duting his term of office, Gov. Small of lilinois holds to the position of immunity, and tells the sherift of Sangamon county that he is beyond the reach of the law. Upon his return to Springfield, after an automo- bile tour of the state, he was waited| on by that functionary, who, howev oft his warrants at home and paid what appeared to be a call of recon- noisance. The governor reasserted his claim to protection from arrest, and cited the opinions of his legal ad- visers that it is his duty under his cath of office to decline to submit to the jurisdiction of the court during his term as governor. He thus stated the case: “The public welfare, as well as the constitution. requires’ that the man who is governor of the state shall be entirely free from interference with his personal liberty while he is gov- ernor. To submit myself to the courts would mean to make the executive department of the government subject to the judicial department, which would be a direct violation of the Constitution. My first duty, under ml” t1- oith of office is to uphold fhe cons tution, and I have no right to permit interference with that duty, whatever my personal preference may be.” In ‘this case the alleged crime oc- curred before the governor took that office—while he was state treasurer. But in his position the governor makes no distinction between past or present crimes. According to his con- tention he is immune from interfer- ence by the “judicial department’” as long as he is governor, whatever his conduct may be. Would it not follow that if he was accused of murder com- mitted during his term he could plead the same immunity and remain at the statehouse?- Able counsel have advised the gov- ernor of his immunity. He is evident- Iy bent upon a test of that question. It should surely be tested. For apart from the matter of his guilt or inno- cence of the charge of misappropria- tion of state funds while treasurer, it important, not only to Illinois but all other states, to determine whether the chief executive of the common- wealth is above the law, no matter what his conduct in office or prior to taking office. If it is established by Fizhest judicial rulings that such im- munity pertains to the office of gov- ernor, it becomes more essential than ever for the people to be scrupulously careful whom they select to occupy that offi The Wets Defeated. The wets lost their fight in the Sen- ate yesterday. The Willis-Campbell beer bill was pa: by a two-to-one vote—39 to 20. A motion to recommit, upon which the wets had based some tall claims, had been defeated by a vote of 38 to 23. This will probably be the last at. tempt in Congress to “monkey with the buzz saw" prior to the opening of next vear's campaign. As all are well aware, it is the pur- pose of the wets to play for control of the next Congress. Their plans are al- ready laid. Their organization is a strong one. Their leadership is ag- gressive and experienced. They will not lack for funds. The drys accept the challenge. They, too, are alert. They are strengthening their organization, and watching all the corners. The wet program in case of success is not outlined. The ultimate object of the wets, of course, is the repeal of the eighteenth amendment. But that will not be proposed at the start. That could not be carried at the start. As much as will be attempted will be weakening the prohibition law by “liberalizing” it. and throwing as many obstacles as possible in the way of its enforcement. In this way, as the wets figure, the amendment can be undermined. and in time destroyed. The saloon gone? John Barleycorn dead? Not if the wets can restore them. The full wet purpose will not stand accomplished until the brass footrail is again in placé, and the “stuff"—all brands—is passing over the counter with the old unchallenged freedom. The Ku-Klux Klan. Why is the KuKlux Klan at this time of day? We are all familiar with the ex- planation of the order at the time of its first appearance. It was confined to the southern states. and white su- premacy in local affairs was its con- fessed object. The civil war had but recently closed, and the freedmen, it was charged, had fallen under leader- ship foreign to their own and the sec- tion's welfare. Hence this terrifying agency to curb influences alleged to be detrimental to both whites and blacks. But that was fifty years ago. A great deal of water has gone under the bridge since then. The freedmen are not a menace anywhere now. They have advanced considerably in the scale of good citizenship. Many of them own their homes. They pay taxes and support schools. In the south they are without political power: They are not welcome at the polls, and have no voice there. Why then, half a century later, the reappear- ance of this order, accoutered in the same way, and designed to produce the same terrifying effects on the pub- lic. and particularly on the simpler portions of the public? Mageover, why extend the area of its activities? It boasts of ‘“lodges” now nerth and south, and declares that in a short time the whole country will feel its presence. Its officers and sponsors pledge it as a friend of law and order, and assert that its purpose is the defense of the weak and the Constitution of the United States. But why trick it out in grotesque regalia, parade it at night in the glare of torches and spread curiosity and alarm In every direc- tion? Do the weak and the Constitu- tion stand in need of such a cham- pion? —_————————— Bond robbers have made some’ of the valuable paper descibed as securi- | ties appear like insecurities so far as their safe personal pogsession is con- cerned. & Statesmen of many epochs and na- tionalities have struggled with the question of how to reduce taxes with- out impairing the public revenue. ! It is perhaps a fortunate orator whose crities find themselves obliged to attack his rhetoric and let his argu- ments alone. In various cases the moonshiner has abandoned the hills and established himself as an electric lighter. Mayor and President. Pessimists in New York, surveying the mayoralty field, express them- zelves as much discouraged. What, they ask, can the six millions of peo- ple who inhabit the big town promise themselves in the way of good gov- ernment when the choice is betweea Mayor Hylan, supported by Tammany Hall, and Maj. Curran, a local celeb- rity, supported by those to whom Tammany is anathema? These men appraise the office of mayor at a tall figure. They rate it as second in importance only to the presidency of the United States. ~Is not.that too tall a figure? It is an important office. The mayoralty of New York has to do with a great variety and a great volume of busi- ness. The man who fills the office should possess fine executive capacity, be & good judge of men.and have knowledge of what the municipality needs. But between administering mnt‘obl fice, with responsibility to only six millions of people inhabiting a small area, and administering the office of President of the United States, with responsibility to over a hundred mil- lions of people inhabiting a broad em- pire, is a very wide difference. It is not so much the man as the influences behind the man we should take into account. Maj. Curran, backed by the chdracter and civic pride of New York, has all the ability neces- sary to direct the affairs of the town In a safe and satisfactory manner. i District Needs More Room. The District government has again outgrown its home. This is a familiar condition. In the past it was chronic. Until the municipal organization was housed in the marble structure at 14th street and Pennsylvania avenue it had never been, from almost the be- ginning under the present system of local government, adequately housed. When the move into the present head- quarters was made the District was scattered widely. Now the new house is cramped and more room is needed outside, and the purchase of additional quarters nearby is to be recommended as urgently required. This brings back the point often raised in the past, that in the place- ment and design of public bulldings provision should be made for their ex- tension. Again and again it has been urged that the entire triangle of land between Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall should be taken by the govern- ment as a whole and used for public building purposes without regard to street lines. Then only could the build- ings be located with reference to pres- ent and future convenience and needs. If that principle had been estab- lished it would now be possible to ex- tend the District building on the eas! south or west by constructing an an- nex attached in some manner to the main structure, thus avoiding the in- convenience and loss of time and con- tusion of business entailed in the use of separated buildings. It is not too late thus to consider the Mall-Avenue triangle as one entire potential public building site and to acquire the whole of it, just as the western end has been Gcaquired, to be used from time to time as conditions require. i As terrorists Trotsky and Lenin have made the mistake of believing they had them scared when people were only indignant. § The' novelist who complains of the literary _critics is usually a writer whose own direct criticisms of men and conditions are subject to resent- ment. i Paris dressmakers say that skirts will be longer, and Chicago dress- makers declare they will not. There should be a reasonable compromise. i German reconstructionists are not inclined to encourage any inclination to sit by the fireside and exchange reminiscences of war times. i Bducators who do not believe the classics should be studied find many a pupil entirely willing to let them have Editorial Digest Regulating Robin Hood, M. D. When the trustees of Johns Hopkins fixed the maximum charge for an opera- tion at $1,000 their action met with little sympathy from the lay. press of the ccuntry. +Most of the editorial writers seem to feel, with the New York Tri- bune, that “the statutes of the medical code™ which cause the doctors to charge according t. the patient's ability to pay “are born of a similar feeling to that which made Robin Hood's memory long cherished in rural England ‘because he took from the fat to give to the lean.” Some newspapers, of course, sympathize with the viewpoint of the oificers of the great hospital, among them the Balti- more Sun, which declares: “The fact remains that the limitation of fees as instituted at Johns Hopkins Hospital is felt by its chiefs to be in Line with the highest obligations of the profession, and is on that account lnl expression of the spirit of the hospital whose purposes no one can avoid praising in the highest termi Taking into consideration the great demand upon the services ot Johns Hop- kins' surgical experts, the Baltimore News feels that “it is challenging eco- nomic law to assert that they over- charge,” and “just as long as the pres- tige of Johns Hopkins Hospital and the yrestige of its specialists are Inseparable one fails to see how the standards set by tke one can fail of acceptance of the other wherever they might incline to take thair practice.” The New York Herald looks at the question quite differently, disregard- ing the “economic principles,” which, it says, do not govern “relief of hu- man suffering,” declaring that the present system ‘‘enables many sur- geons to continue their free work where, were the fees,they collect from rich men 1limited, they might be obliged to abandon it.” The present method under which the surgeon av- erages “a fair recompense for his i dispensable services” most people consider “not unreasonable,” Fittshurgh Gazette-Times belfeves. Arguing that the “surcharge” for services to the wery rich makes pos- sible a “downward adjustment where there is lack of funds.” the Philadel- phia Bulletin looks upon the ‘“hard and fast rules laid down in Baltimore” as “superfluous” and simply “another freak of the modern rage for regu- lation from which the medical pro- fession, above all others, might be spared.” The Philadelphia Public Ledger also objects to the principle of price-fixing and believes that what the physician and the surgeon “will resent” is that “this promunciamento wlll give new vigor to proposed legis- Iation here and there that seeks to fix the:fees for professional services a.ndhnre!(‘rlpllon!." e Newark News presen practical argument that” there 1a l:‘: ‘'overhead” that a surgeon must take care of that the layman often forgets, for “there are operations for which a $1,000 fee may mean actual fi cial 10ss.” with the wage of a: ants and the purchase of costly in- struments to account for. It con- tinues: “It would be only the occasion patient, the ‘windfall’ who could p the sum necessary to discharge these costs and add a fee that would fitly recompense the skill, the expert knowledge, the actual recreative ability of the surgeons who restore the hope of years to the man or without his interven- 1y, doomed to an woman who, That a change may lead to condi- tions worse rather than better is the feeling of the Charleson News and Courier and the Toledo Blade. The public has been the chief beneficlary under the present system, says the latter, “and the public may well be suspicious of ill results following a radical change.” The Sioux City Jour- nal is one of those newspapers which see “reason and justice” in the new ruling, for, “while the poor must have their surgical attention whether it is paid for or not,” still “it seems unfair for a patient to be charged according to the size of his pocket- book and mot for the value and im- portance of the work performed.” The Birmingham News, too, adds its commendation to the “establishing of a code of economic morals for hos- pital physicians,” for it considers it “a dangerous and demoralizing sit- uation which permits a patient to give and a surgeon to receive, say, five to ten thousand dollars for an operation” when that sum is suffi- cient to provide for the care of a hundred victims unable to pay for relief. The “drastic_action” of the Johns Hopkins board, the New Orleans Times-Picayune declares, “can only have been brought about by very serious and possibly very many com- plaints against gouging.” but it fears that it will result, as similar, ruling their own way about it. i l +A champion pugilist who knows how to utilize publicity easily finds the advertising more valuable than the re- ceipts at the ringside. Competitors are continually com- plaining of Henry Ford as a man who is inclined to unfix prices. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNEON. Admiration. Arabella Dobbs remarked, In a tone exceedingly wise, “Very few,can comprehend Just what colors harmonize. “Reds and yellows, blues and greens, Should with care be kept apart Till approximated with Cautious and discerning art.” Out upon the sky there shone One of twilight's beauteous scenes— Blending, shifting everywhere, Reds and yellows, blues and greens! Arabella Dobbs drew near; Raised her glasses to observe; Then in accents low exclaimed, “Hasn't nature got the nerve! ' Discretion. “What is your favorite recreation?” “I decline to answer,” replied Sena- tor Sorghum. “I'll take a chance on differing with a constituent on a ques- tion of serious public opinion. But if you ever intimate that you don’t re- gard a friend's particular pastime as the greatest of sports you lose him for- ever.” \ Jud Tunkins says he likes motion pictures because the girls can talk about them without getting into argu- ments about whether to say ‘‘drahma’ or “drawma.” Approaching Contrasts. The summer day fast fades away, The winter chill draws near. The climate will be changed, they say, But equally severe. Fictions of Finance. “Nobody attempts to sell a farmer gold bricks or green goods any more.” Corntossel. “They can work faster and safer with oil stock literature.” Small Favors. “Would you get up in a street car to give a lady a seat?” “I would,” replied Mr. Crosiots; “gnd be thankful for having had a seat to occupy for even a portion of the trip.” } Inasmuch as Lord Northcliffe seems to have made the going pretty rough for Lloyd George lately, the latter has fitted up the government litical ‘machine with a very- éM- ‘| cerning the conference, “What's the use?” inquired Farmer |buckle down to has in other fields, in making the maxmum price establishea by law “become a minimum or standard price fixed by the trade.” However, it concludes, “it is well to know that the game is being played with some kind of a limit, even if the blue chip does represent a thousand dollars.” The Conference and Publicity. Certain friends of “open diplomac: are prophesying that the coming di srmament conference will be abs lutely open to the public, in all its proceedings. If that nrogh«:y were to be literally fulfilled there is a other prediction which could safely be made, and that is that the confer- ence would end in failure. The preliminary conversations con- glwmcth are now going on, are not given to the public, and rightly so. The desire of the newspapers and their readers for all the news that can properly be disseminated on such matters is legit- imate, but sound judgment sets a limit, the transgression of which could result only in harm to all con- cerned. Between the members of va- rious nationalities, making up the conference, there can be no funda- mental understanding unless they can frankly say to one another many things which they would never say at all if the whole world must listen. The general tenor which negotia- tions are taking will, of course, be known. If public insistence shall keep virtually all the formal sessions that will only mean that a large of the really important work will be done through informal meet- ings, with a deeper secrecy just about in proportion to the greater pub- licity of the formal gatherings. A'c- tual results, when they Are arrived at, the whole world will, of course, know. And this knowledge will some, of course, betore final ratifica~ tion by the Senate. That, and that alone, is the one essential "uuulre- Sent of “open diplomacy.” How much of the detail of negotiation shall be made public, the rule of reason, applied by the officials in charge, must determine. And no one o Ewishes the conference well will ery to force their hand.—Columbus Dispatch (independent). A Brave Secretary. Secretary of the Treasury Mellon is spesking right out in meeting. He is telling Congress and the country t it has long needed to know— 3\'11‘ w‘n were spending altogether too much money. His latest declaration that a quarter of a billion dollars more must come off the appropriation {6 In keeping with a long line of rec- ommendations. He realizes that this country cannot spend money With- out meeting the bills. It cannot dance without paying the piper. It has been dancing pretty flercely throush the years of war, our part of it be- ing conducted with unbelievable ex- travagance, and now we have to pay the bills. - We have seen no public official in years who has more distinctly IA::I(! part the titude of his courtrym! an this square-dealing, truth-telling and clear-headed Secretary of the - ury. May Congress give power to his hands!—Bostor Herald (indépendent republican). Don’t be tontent with your lot till a good house bulit on it— you ha Savannah Morning News. About the only difference between | the old-fashioned dime novel and the wild west movie show is the wir tax, —Birmingham New: Again Washington comes to the rescue of the erican farmer. A 356 per oent tariff has been imposed on ~ “foreign-born” kewples.—Sioux cient set of snubbers.—Denver ‘Times. | @ity Tribune. - SR 4 EADERS of THE WASI INGTON STAR visiting .London are invited to make use of TH WASHINGTON Be Loyal to This Wasnington rroauct date papers are always a able for reference, where ar. rangements cah be made for the forwarding of | reception and {1 mall, advice ined on all | matters of and where Phone Franklin 335 to Chevy Chase |{ American visitors in London Food Products Company if your|{ may be traced through the Reg- 3 istration Department conducted grocer is not supplied. AR 2t Addressed to You {| This advertisement is addressed to you in particular if you’re un- Deposit familiar with the scope of :Mount State- Vernon service. Boxes ments on 3 {| We want every one to know that (Com. 32,50 we have a Commercial banking 75 dept., a Collection dept., an Ex- mercial | Yr. Up change dept., and a Safe Deposit Accts. dept., as well as a Savings dept. Perhaps Your Problem Is Solved Here EISEMAN’S 605-607. 7th St. Bet. F & G Sts. August Clearance of Genuine Palm Beach Suits Sizes 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 42. Regular $15 suits. In gray, tan, sand and green. Every suit is guaranteed not to fade or shrink. They won't last long at this price, so act quickly. Straw Hats ol o e $1£ Silk Hose . . . . .. In white, tan, gray, palm beach. Sizes 9% to 1172, 25¢ “Ide” Collars 1214 ¢ All Ide Collars price. Newest shapes included. Q. What is proper tire-equipment for 33 ton truck operat- ing in Heavy Haulage Work between towns connected by good roads? A. Front wheels: U. 8. Nobby Cord Tires, 7 inch. Rear wheels: U. S. Mono-Twin Solid Truck Tires, 10 inch. U. S. MONO-TWIN A solid truck tire thatis the latest ade wancement of the U. S. Tire makers, or in cushioning, tractioning, and carrying capacity, in 95% of cases far more and satisfactory than duals. Today it is the fastest selling solid eruck tire in'lh:wotld- lower cost per mile, » judge for yourselF its value to you NTIL now American truck owners have never had at their disposal absolutely impartial, honest advice about the right fype and right size tire for a specific trucking condition. As much money is wasted today on wrong truck tires as on poor ones. The makers of United States Tires are ready to give amybody engaged in truck operation a full advisory service in the interest of Zreater economy. Independent and non-partisan aqivir:.e.~ A service by experts who have no the- ories to try out—who make no favorite of either pneumatics or solids. * ‘The equivalent of a personal consul- tation with the best tire-engineering brains in the country. No obligation to anyone who asks for it. ' - Write to our Technical Service Dept. at any length. On questions involving : one truck or a fleet of fifty trucks. Rec- ommendations will be for the right size of tire, the right kind of tire, and greater economy. To men who are ordering new trucks a special word: Consider tires as a sepa- rate problem from the truck itself. Get the right tire equipment for it before it is delivered—not afterward. Address all letters to Tecknical Service Dept., United States Tire Co., 1790 Broad- way, New York City. ‘Thefuller thedetailsyougive aboutyour truck tire problem the better you can be served by the U, S.Technical Service men. United States Tires United States @@ Rubber Company 5 Tire Branch, 1303 H. Street N. W. ; 'U.S.SqlidandinmathnkaueDealerinthisCity: w * 3. P. SANNER