Evening Star Newspaper, August 19, 1921, Page 6

THE EVENING STAR, With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. . FRIDAY........August 19, 1831 THEODORE W. NOYES. . ..Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. ¢ New Y sau St. tional RBank Ruilding. 8t.. London, England. . . The Evening Star. with the Sunday morning #dition, s delivered by carriers within the city at 60 cents per monthy; duily only. 43 cents per month: Sunday only, 20 cents per month. Or- 5505, " oleclon. 1" made b . . lection {s made by end of each month. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Daily and Sunda; Daily only.. Sunday only. . Paily and Sunday.1 yr., $10.0( * Daily only. J1yr. $1.60: 1 mo.. 60c . Sunday only. ‘1yr. $3.00; 1 mo., 250 — e A Step Toward Merger. '~ The bill finally approved by the '+ House District committee looking to a solution of the traction problem in ‘Washington is drawn with a view to effecting the merger of the two sys- tems. Permission is given for such a union of the companies, but with the condition that the Washington Rail- way and Electric Company must . merge with the Capital Traction Com- pany before it can absorb the Potomac Electric Power Company. It furthermore provided, as an additional - inducement, that if the merger is not effected by July 1 next the -utilities commission shall fix fares on the basis of separate valuations Instead of upon the combined valuation basis _which is now employed. In other words, if merger is not made by that date, the principle of two rates of fare will be established. Consolidation of the traction and Power corporations of the District is obviously the surest and safest solu- tion of the difficulties from which the local public has suffered. Efforts to bring about a merger of the traction systems have proved futile because of wide differences of valuation and the conflict of interests. each seeking con- _trol of the amalgamated properties. Legislation to compel merger by di- rect means is of doubtful validity. Municipal ownership, through con- demnation and purchase, is not de- sired by the community or warranted by the experience of cities where that - experiment has been tried. In these circumstances the Woods bill, just approved by committee, makes the closest possible approach to the point of compulsory merger, and at the same time by proposing a ‘change In the basis of taxation and re- mission of certain unjust charges upon the roads affords relief to the more ‘heavily burdened system in a manner to advance the probability of merger. If this bill can pass both houses as it stands it will undoubtedly facilitate a combination in terms that will safe- guard the public interests and assure an efficient service at the lowest rate compatible with the right to reason- able profits. In the course of the recent efforts to bring the two properties into a sin- gle ownership advance was made to- ward a closer agreement upon con- solidation terms with each successive proposal. At the end there was not a very material difference in estimation of values. If in such conditions the proposal for a merger came so close to success it is likely to reach that point under the influence of the al- most compulsory provisions now writ- ten into the pending bill. A positive inducement is offered to get together. A virtual penalty is provided for fail- ure. In any merger, however effected, the most scrupulous care is to be taken 1o keep the consolidated capital value at the point of equity for the public. The whole transaction will be under supervision and subject to review. A swollen valuation, calling for high re- ‘turns in terms of service rates, is vir- ‘tually impossible. —_—— Yowa farmers who announce the in- tention of burning corn instead of coal threaten a formidable entanglement of the food problem and the fuel problem. —_———— A Postmaster General who under- 100k a thorough press censorship would not have much time left to be Postmaster General. —_—————— It the I. W. W. gets a fair chance at his legacy there will be nothing “left for Big Bill Haywood but the small change. is Ball Act Extension Likely. Little time was taken by the House District committee in consideration of the bill to extend for seven months the Ball rent act. The hearing that was given last evening was plainly su- “perfluous, as the members of the com- mittee had evidently reached their conclusions through a reading of the testimony given before the Senate committee, which held an exhaustive hearing on the subject. In the judgment of the Senate and of thé House committee an emergency still exists in Washington in respect to housing. It must be assumed that both bodies believe that this is such an emergency as would warrant the -gupreme Court in again sustaining the act if the case could be laid before it promptly. The court, it is to be as- sumed, judged the law in the light of the conditions that prevailed at the time of its enactment, not those that prevailed at the time the decision was finally rendered. Thus if the matter ‘were laid before it anew it would have to judge as to conditions prevailing at the time of the re-enactment of the measure. Members of the rents commission, in their testimony before the House com- mittee last night, stated that in their opinion the emergengy continues; that “{here is a shortage of accommodations; that if the law is permitted to expire very grave hardship will be inflicted upon tenants; that landlords, are pre- pared to serve ouster notices by ‘wholesale and immediately raise rents to the point of extortion. This testi- mony was given fn terms of direct in- I there is the surplus of accom- c ' while, as an evidence of good faith. i modations of which owners and agents |have been tzlking there would be no occasion for a general advance in rates, unless the rates maintained by the operation of the Ball faw have been unfairly low. Undoubtedly In the event of a failure to extend the law a general ouster and rate advance would bring about an immediate reaction in Congress and the swift passage of a bill perhaps even more drastic in terms than that which is now in force. It is plain that the present disposi- tion of Congress is to extend the act. And it is also” probable that fif conditions in Washington are not visibly improved by May 22 next an- other extension will be provided. It is up to the realty owners of the capital to make the conditions better mean- Good American Doctrine. The unionist party of Porto Rico continues its agitation for independ-| ence for the island, and Gov. Reily stands pat on his opposition to the proposal. In reply to a letter by the leader of the unionist party recommending the appointment of friends to office, Gov. Reily made this reply: “I shall never appoint any man to any office who is an advocate of in- dependence. When you publicly re- nounce independence and break loose from some of vour pernicious and un- {American associates, then I will be glad to have your recommendations. along with those of any other good citizens of our beloved Porto Rico.” ‘This 18 in the right key. “Put none but Americans on guard.” Men who are desirous of living under another flag should not while living under the iStars and Stripes be intrusted with any governmental duties. The offices in Porto Rico should be reserved for those, native or foreign born, who sub- scribe without reservation to Ameri- can rule, and favor its continuation. In no other way can that rule be ad- ministered to the full benefit of the people. The Porto Ricans, like the Filipinos, have profited greatly by the change from Spanish to American control of their country. The evidences are all about. The people, indeed. confess; the fact. Visitors remark on the good | look of things, and speculate pleasant- 1y on the future. Why, then, independence, except as a means of setting the stage for the plans of men ambitious to play a larger part in affairs? What would there be in it for the rank and file, who are not seeking office but desire only good government? And that they now have. ————————— The Virginia Campaign. I This is taken from a special to The Star from Richmond respecting repub- lican plans for the Virginia state cam- paign just opening: “It is stated that President Harding d to come to this city and peech for the state repub- and that Secretary Weeks. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and other republicans are to be asked to: THE EVENING . STAR, WASHINGTON, ing one another around tae country, wasting time and money, while the enemy, with a far better system, was diligently at work, These war-time experiences amply proved the need of a consolidation. Only by concentrating authority under the head of a single bureau can dupli- cations be avoided and efficient work be done. Mr. Burns is a well known investigator. He has scored some re- markable successes in both public and private employment. A better equipped man for the government's detective service could hardly be found, and if the consolidation urged by Attorney General Daugherty is accomplished Mr. Burns woald make a most satis- factory chief of the resultant service. There is much work to be done by the government in the uncovering of crime and the identification and cap- ture of criminals. The war has left some troublesome cases, and even with them adjusted there will always, owing to the predisposition of a large part of humanity toward criminal practice, be much ferreting out of mis- deeds. There is no reason why the United States should not organize this essential work upon a business basis, and assure the greatest efficiency and economy of funds and energy by in- trusting to one bureau all the in- vestigating work required by every branch of the public service. North Carolina. The appearance of former Secretary Daniels in current North Carolina politics revives the report that he has a seat in the United States Senate in view. If the report is‘true, Mr. Daniels will have for his opponent Mr. Sim- mons, who is expected to seek re- election. The contest would be a very pretty one. Both are seasoned politicians, na- tives of the Old North state, and fa- miliar with its affai Both have many warm friends. Mr. Daniels has never held an elec- tive office; has never appealed to the people of the state for their votes. He has established his influence through journallsm. For some years before accepting the Navy portfolio he had been the foremost editor in the state, and upon quitting Washington he re- turned to his profession. le is very popular with both his recent chief, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Bryan. Mr. Simmons is in his fifth term in the Scnate, and holds high rank ther He heads the democratic membership of the finance committee, and is his party’s tariff authority in the cham- ber. He superintended the revision of the Underwood tariff measure as it had passed the House eight years ago, and during the war, as chairman of the finance committee, helped put the big war loans into shape. Last year, at San Francisco, North Carolina gave him as a personal compliment her support for the presidential nom- ination. If next year's senatorial race in Tar- come and lend a hand in the contest.” | heelia takes this complexion it will at- The republicans are trying to set|tract national attention, and probably their house in order in the south. In!draw in national influences. Both M half a dozen states they are reorgan-|Daniels and Mr. Simmons have emi: izing their committees, and assessing what is necessary to meet objections {which have impeded republican growth {in that sectton. This policy has been tried before. Several times overtures have been made looking to bringing the south under the influence of two-party con- ditions—conditions which best typify American political life, and which elsewhere have produced excellent progressive local government. Never- theless, the south has remained a one- party section, and impregnably demo- cratic. | Does the present time encourage the | renewal of such overtures? Last vear i the republicans made a decided im-| pression on the border. In Maryland, |Delaware, West Virginia, Kentucky. Tennessee and Missouri they showed great strength. With the exception of | Kentucky all those states voted for Harding, and Kentucky came within a few thousand of joining them. Virginia remained democratic. But the republican appeal there this year is made with a ticket excellent as to! personnel, and on a platform dealing! with live state issues. If the national ‘administralion throws its influence into the scale the campaign should at- tract wide attention. —_—————————— | French purchasers of supplies lett behind by the American Army were willing to send them over and under- sell the United States markets. There | are impulsive moments in every life when it is difficult to allow friendship to interfere with business. ————————————— Whether or not there is foundation in fact for the report that D'An- nunzio will, in certain contingencles, go to Rome by airplane, take Nitti prisoner and declare himself dictator, it sounds like a splendid scenario. ———— His interest in maritime finance may cause the ex-Secretary of State to be rated as no less a nautical au- thority than the ex-Secretary of the Navy himself. ———— The elimination of water from rail- way stocks is the practical manifesta- tion of a dry sentiment in finance. The Government’s Secret Service. Consolidation of the government's special agent bureaus, more popularly known as the ‘‘secret service” branches, is greatly to be desired, and it is to be hoped that the Attorney General will succeed in his effort to this end. Announcement of his selec- tion of William J. Burns as head of the bureau of investigations in the Department of Justice is coupled with a statement to the éffect that an as- semblage under one authority and or- ganization of all the now nepu;'ated “inquiry” services is to be sought. Before the war there was occasional- 1y much confusion from the muilti- plicity of the so-called detective agencies of the government. But dur- ing the war this confusion: became worse confourided. Practically every department had its staff of “investiga- tors.” In some cases separate bureaus of the same department had their own particular inquiry forces. And it often happened that these various gov- iment ageénts were aétually” trail- nent friends outside the state who would be at their service. ———————— Lenin's comments on the danger of famine shows him at last as realizing the existence of problems which can- not be solved by changing the rules of the social system. ——————————— As chairman of the disarmament conference, Secretary Hughes will ihave the advantage of judicial experi- ence as well as long observation of political psychology. ————————— The arms parley calls for so much in the way of common sense and plain reasoning that there is little hope that it will develop much silver-tongued oratory. ————————————— Alcoholic beverages are again per- mitted in Russia. In spite of the scarcity of money, it would appear that somebody still has the price. Silesia is slightly embarrassed by | having too cosmopolitan a population. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Conservatism. Skirts must now be longer, Fashion experts say; Sentiment is stronger For reduced display. But the olden graces Some, will ne'er forget— Grandmas in some places Dance the minuet. Future grandmas grimly ‘Wearing skirts too high ‘Will remind us primly Of the days gone by. A Sense of Power.’ *“Aren't your chauffeur and your cook a trifle overbearing in their man- ner toward you?"” “Perhaps,” -answered Senator Sor- ghum. “It would be only human na- ture. Both have an enormous number of relatives, and they all vote {n my district.” Jud Tunkins says economy is some- thing like music. A lot of people who don’'t perform very well themselves are perfectly willing to give lessons. Films and the Censor. 1If every censor has to view i The thrills of every fillum, Their earthly cares will through— 2 : The nervous strain will kill ‘um. No Bluffing Required. “Golf is a great game!” exclaimed Cactus Joe. b ~ “Like it better than poker?” “In some respects. When the luck's against you, you can relieve your feel- ings with profanity without giving your opponents any additional advan- tage.” ‘ Expensive Sentiment. “Do you remember the story of the woman who kept a lamp burning. in the window every night, hoping her wandering boy would return?” . “Yes,” said Mn Growcher. ““That Was in the days when ofl didn’t cost 80 much.” G A h soon be Editorial Digest. Sermons in Stone. “It has been an interesting mid- faces exist in the decorations and carvings on St. Thomas' Church in New York city, but the Springfield Republican thinks “it is clearly noth- ing to be excited about.” This is the attitude of most writers, although many of them go farther and express pleasure in the adoption in this coun- try of the old-world custom of pre- serving, through caricatures and symbols on public bulldings, the life and spirit of the time. Editorial dis- cussion ' of the subject brings out many |nteresting points fn the his- tory of Gothic architecture, with the purpose of showing that what many Americans, in accord with the Knox- ville Sentinel, may regard as ‘“new and startling,” is in reality a tradi- tion observed since the middle ages, which has produced an art valuable in itself and highly interesting his- torically. Some writers, however, confess themselves ‘“old-fashioned enough” to disapprove wholly of what they consider a desecration of the church by such “frivolous” dec- orations as those which have been discovered on St. Thomas'. The disclosure of the manner of decoration of the beautiful 5th avenue church merely “goes to show," says the Reno Gazette, “that history re- peats itself {n church architecture as it does in 50 many other things," since the “architects of St. Thomas in their little joke at the expense of the wor- shipers were simply doing as their predecessors of the middle ages did,” and were, possibly, “animated by the same sly malice.”” "The origin of the custom, “which has been transplanted to this country, is outlined by the oston Globe, “which interprets the otesques” found in all medieval |structures as “the journalism of an {age which lacked printing and so spoke In stone.” Symbolism, the Globe belleves, is the unlversal expression “art, literature, music and ure ‘are scrawled over with this secret sign language, legible to those in the know. So It Is the artists who are our best historians, after all, provided we have the wit to read what they have written.” Certainly “no period of modern his- tory has been richer in Interest.” says the Springfield Republican, and by perpetuating in stone the “carved rec- ords of persons, events and issues” of the day *“the artists of St. Thomas' have made u most interesting use of their_opportunity.” It iIs, indeed, as the Chicago Tribune sees it, “a record and interpretation of New’ York life of the times.” and when Bernard Shaw’'s Masopotamian civilization be- gins sending explorers and travelers to tee the ruins of the United States, St. Thomes' Church in New York may be one of the most interesting an- tiquities.” The Idaho Statesman Is certain that | he little nllegorics and caricatures of the present day” will be as valu- able to future generations “as the tombs of Egypt and the pictures orl Pomnue'i arc valuable to us today.” ‘Trl‘alan the matter from the re- ligious, rather than the historic, standpoint, however, some writers are frankly aghast at what is to them sacrilege. To the Charleston News and Courier the little figures in St. Thomas’ are “mocking at the church,” and though “New York in general takes the whole husiness as w huge joke,” it {s giad that “there are Some people old-fashioned enough to express indignation that an edifice supposedly dedicated to the worship of God, whether it be used for that purpose or not. should thus be brought into ridicule.” These “architectural clowns” might seive “decorations for a mad- house.” but. in the opinion of the Asheville Times. they are ‘“nof aptable to adorn a modern church.” iven granting their historio ba #rounds. and that they were permi ble “in an age of demonology, hen the church was just emerging from pagan darkness,” atill, the Times holds. “that time is long gone, is an architectural ception scarcely less absurd than the carven figures themselves that churches should be treated as mu- seums for preserving relics of the and it miscon- he “queer conception of humor” which, “in the absence of any per- #onal end to be served,” would trans- late itself into imperishable stone in a religious institution, is, to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “offen- and the paper feels “uncom- fortable to suspect that our churches, our monuments and our public build- ings on closer view may be found | to be preserving to posterity our social shortcomings and personal faults.” The whole question is one of spirit. . the Chicago TFost feels. and it sees “no indication that the spirit of these decorations is other than one lof reverence. Even the setting of I the dollar sign_opposite the lovers' knot shows no irreverence, but tends | to teach., as it a8 meant to do, a lesson much needed in these times,” an intent “unquestionably good.” the Mobile Register thinks, but a lesson;} which might better be “spread upon j the pages of the marriage service.” And “after all, why not,” the Mil- ukee Journal asks, “if art is truth, what better place for truth to rise than in the church?’ The irrev- erence shown in the figures is not for “the church and what it should stand for.” but “Irreverence for the high and mighty.” And It inquires fur- ther, “Is allegory sacrilegious be- cause its figures are modern and definite, instead of ancient andx vague?* The New York Post also wonders whether the “shock” of des- ecration of St. Thomas' daes not lie primarily in the fact that the fig- ures represent *“purely cotemporary types.” The Erie’s Shops. ‘Whatever may be the declared pur- poses of the Erie railroad in leasing its roundhouse and shops at Marion, Ohio, to a local company, the effect is to crowd the employes out from under the protective benefits of the trans- portation act, and this must accord- ingly be assumed to have been the in- tent and actual purpose. If the Erie company can lawfully do | this in respect to its Marion shops, it can lawfully lease all of its shops and roundhouses and other vital appurte- nances to its business as an interstate common carrier. and all other inter- state railroads can do the same. And when they have done so. as many of them are evidently planning to do, they will have pushed a great fraction of their army of employes away from the jurisdiction of the Rallway Labor Board and from under the provisions of the transportation act designed to promote * peace in the industry and maintain the eight-hour day and fair wages and tolerable working condi- tions. The transportation act was adopted primarily at the instance of the roads and for their benefit as against hurt- ful rate conditions and wasteful com- petition. But if after all they do not intend to observe it except at points where it is precisely to their liking, the country will be interested in knowing. Then they will get a trans- portation act in much smaller terms of their own dictation.—New York World (democratic). Reform songs have too many re- frains.—Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. It costs a girl $1 to have her hair bobbed. There are no cheaper cuts.— Toledo Blade. Love at first sight usually ends with divorce at first slight.—Asheville Times. Our interest in Europe continues to grow, though the principal remains, stationary.—Nashville Banner. “Women want war,” declares Con- gresswoman Robinson. Yes, as & rule, but now and then one prefers to re- main single.—Providence Tribune. ‘When the doughboy came home the ‘boy look was gone; but he looking for the dough.— Hartford Times. A The pho‘nho c(luupl ‘ml‘h! issue a directory showing At wrong nu ber to call to get the right one.~—Har- risburg Patriot. To & man high in the observatory it if normalcy has declded to a while in Germany before com- gt £bs country~~Richmond ispatch. summer discovery that emblems and | | is still{ D. C, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1921 ilale————lo]c=]olc——]o]c——=]d] Capital & Surplus, $200,000-Resources, Over $1,900,000 *—are rendered on commercial ac- counts at this bank; Collections made without charge for custo- mers; Safe Deposit facilities pro- vided; Travelers’ Checks sold, etc. fMount Vernon equipment will be found ample for all your banking needs, and our service right in line with your ideas of helpfulness. Mount Vernon Savings Bank [===1[I Cor. 9th St. and Mass. Ave|AI==] Roman Cattle Owners —were zealous in the care of their cattle. No laws of property were ever fixed without special consideration being given to pas- ture land. They well appreci- ated the significance of the food you relish as SWINDELL’S CHIPPED BEEF The rich flavor of prime cuts of beef intensified and piqued into taste delicious- ness unsurpassed. No fat, no waste, no bones! KEvery morsel delectable. The Most Popular At All Chain Stores, ~Groceries & Markets The Greatest Merchandising Sale | The Story of the Merchandising Sensation We are one of the largest dis- tributors of men’s shirts and fur- nishings in the country. With our 62 stores from'coast to coast, we buy shirts and furnish- ings by the thousand dozen. We work on narrow margins of profiit and quick turnovers of stock. In the past few weeks sales all over the country have slowed up. ‘We are determined to prevent stag- nation in the men’s furnishing field. We are throwing thousands of dol- lars in merchandise on the mar- ket to break up the calm and create a new buyer’s market. The furnishings we are selling now cannot be replaced to sell at these prices. But we believe the times make this action imperative, _and feel that manufacturers will do their part when these stocks are sold. EDMONSTON’S— Home of the Original FOOT FORM Boots and Oxfords for Men, Women and Children. fl | .Ll . Store Closed 3 P.M. Saturdays LAST CHANCE CLOSES OUT THE BALANCE OF THESE '3.95 SUMMER SHOES All the Broken Lines and Remnants of Pumps and Oxfords left from regular stock. Plenty of Styles But Limited Sizes For Men and Women The fact that they are offered by this house guarantees their Character and Value. EDMONSTON & CO. Andrew Betz, Manager 1334 F Street Advisers and Autherities on All Foot Troubles Ever Held in the Men’s Furnishing Field Two Shirts Practically At the Price of One Select any Madras, Percale or Silk Stripe Shirt in stock at its regular price marked on the ticket, then pay $1.00 for its twin. For example, pick out a shirt for $3.00, pay another dollar, or a total of $4.00, and get two shirts that yesterday sold for $6.00. SILK SHIRTS Pick out any Silk Shirt at the regular price, Then pay $2.00 for its mate. You can buy two $7.85 shirts for $9.85, a sav- ing of $5.85. And don't forget this: National Shirt Shop’s regular prices have always been lower for equal quality than you could get any place else. BUY 2 TIES Take Home 3 Buy any two neckties at the regular price marked on the ticket, and then se- lect for yourself any third necktie of the same price range. Pick out two neckties at $1.50 each. We will give you free another $1.50 neck- tie of your selection. If you are any judge of shirt and neck- wear values, you cannot afford to miss this sale. And don’t wait—it cannot last long. 'NATIONAL SHIRT SHOPS, Inc. ' 942F Street N. W., Corner 10th Street