Evening Star Newspaper, April 15, 1923, Page 45

"EDITORIAL SECTION The Sy Star. WASHINGTON, D. C, EDITORIAL PAGE NATIONAL PROBLEMS SPECIAL ARTICLES. Part 2—16 Pages SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 15, 1923. " BIG FIGHT LOOMS ABROAD ON CHESTER CONCESSION Important Trick Taken by Americans Game for Center of World’s 0Oil Resources. BY WILL P. KENNEDY. UCCESS In securing from the Turkish parliament (after a twenty-year fight against bit- ter foreign competition, during a decade of which Turkey was en- gaged in continuous warfare) ratl- fication of the Chester railway and mining concession, which practically gives Amerlcan interests a charter to dsvelop the natural resources of a portion of that country and is con- . sistent with the “‘open door” for Amer- ican commerce in the near east, means that an important chapter has been written in the history of the world war for oll reserves. That a desperate attempt will be made by Great Britain at the second Lausanne conference, about to be held, to sain recognition for a rival claim 1s certain, and grave interna- tional complications may arise, espe- clally since official papers from the secret archives of Germany disclose international intrigues for monopoly in the Mesopotamian ofl fleld, to the exelusion ot American interests. On Way to Lausanne. While Rear Admiral Colby M. Ches- ter, U. S. N., retired, who, with the staunch support of President Roose- . velt and the then Secretary of State, Elihu Root, and later Philander C. Knox, secured these concessions orig- tnally through personal good stand- ing with Sultan Abdul Hamid, is ex- pected to attend the Lausanne con- ference to safeguard the American rights, his son, Arthur Chester, is on his way home from Constantinople with the ratified proposals so that .the American organization may be pertected for promptly developing the gigantic concession. This is the first genuine concession now in effect covering the Mosul area. Further, the Mosul area lies to the north of Mesopotamia proper and should not really be included under that name. It is a small part, probably much less than one-fifth, of the great oll fleld region claimed by the British under the name of Meso- potamia. The claim of the British govern- ment to the whole of the Mesopota- | mian ofl region in this extended | view 1s considered flimsy and in- valld by the greatest international lawvers and the successive solicitors of the United States Department of State. This clalm, which Is shrouded in mists, appears to be based merely upon & promise by the minister of finance of a concession to the Turk- tsh Petroleum Company, which as now reorgan -ed Is sald really to be the British government camouflaged. TUnder rather vague mandate lines formulated but not agreed to since the Versallles treaty, Great Britain contends that the portion of the Mosul ofl reglon included in the Chester concession 1s territory which Turkey has no right to dispose of. Fought at Every Stage. Tocuments 1n the State Department ehow that the Turkish Petroleum Company came into being as a Ger- man concession with the aid of two British subjects in the year 1912, shortly after the American syndicate organized by Admiral Chester had registered its claim for moratorium proceedings regarding its contract of 1909 with the Turkish government. The British press was then filled with re- ports emanating from Constantinople to the effect that the American con- cessionaires had been beaten out by the Germans. These false reports were copled into the American papers with injurious effect to the American interests, and all efforts to chase them down were futile. In spite of this, however, the American company has held fast to its legal title to the concession, and has now been officlal- 1y recognized by the Turkish gov- ernment with complete confirmation. The purported German concesslon, now claimed as a British organization, so the papers in the State Department volnt out, was never submitted to or considered by the Ottoman parlia- ment, the only authority under the constitution of the country em- powered to grant title to crown lands. To get down to shirt-sleeve lan- guage, those who are best informed in regard to this fight for the Meso- potamian ol flelds say that Great Britain s playing a political game to hold this vast ofl reservoir at any hazard. The success of the British clalm now depends on the skill of .British diplomacy, its ability to ma- nipulate the political forces of Asia Minor and Europe, with advantages to be derived from present international gealousies and suspician, and finally in all probability, on strong-arm dip- lomatio pressure. . Looking to the Future. As far as concerns the United $tates government, the interest of the public in the Mosul oil or any other outside of our own country is merely a matter of resources in American hands and under American control that may be used to supply our days of need to come. Consist- ently, the State Department accord- ingly persists in its expectation and demand that the open-door policy will be acknowledged in Mesopota- mia as well as in other parts of the . world, especially those parts in de- termination of Whose political wel- fare the United States through its efforts to make the great war successful pas acquired indubitable interests. It does not appear that the State Department is exerting itself in favor of one oll company or one American eyndicate against another. Its efforts are widely addressed to the safe- guarding of our own industries and satandards of living through the prin- siple insisted upon of open door, of equal opportunity to our people with those of other natlons. 2 The Purticipation ing made by the more important na- tions of the world to secure present and future potential oil reserves is explained as follows: Demand Exceeds Supply. The United States has furnished nearly two-thirds of all the oil yet taken from the ground in the world— 5.5 billions of barrels out of a total of 8.5 billions. Our American flelds are now pouring about 65 per cent of the world’s annual supply, while our country is using over 75 per cent of that total supply. In other words, in spite of the great influx of California oil which temporarily floods the mar- ket, this country requires in round numbers 100,000,000 barrels more than it produces. The production in 1922, due to the amazing increase in Cali- fornia, was 551,197,000, and the re- quirements, including manufacturing, were 586,359,000. But the American fields as a whole are generally in- adequate to meet the needs of the country. With our auto vehicle pro- gram, which already has passed elev- en million cars and which is still growing; with our merchant ships compelled to burn ol to compete with those of other nations; With trac- tors, trucks, pumps, small machinery and miscellaneous equipment being multiplied annually; and with alr service destined to become an every- day necessity, the demand for oil is increasing rapidly. Obviously the one good business thing for this government to do is to take stock of how much oil there is left in the United States and then how much oll there is in.the rest of the world; where the principal de- posits are located; and endeavor to assure that American fnterests will have a fair share of this future sup- ply. The world war was fought largely over, and allocation of territory among the allies was based largely on, distribution of natural resources —oll, metals, diamonds, coal, forests, agricultural land, etc. | m States government through. direction of Congress in the efforts now be- ‘World’s Oil Resources. The oil resources of the principal or more important regions of the world total approximately 50 billion barrels, according to estimates com- piled by David White of the United States geological survey and Eugene Stebinger, formerly a geologist of the government, while the total re- sources of the world are estimated by Dr. White at about 75 billions of barrels. Our reserve in this country is estimated at 9 billion barrels dn the | ground, recoverable by present methods. Some geologists believe there may be as much as 15 billions of barrels. i Outside of the United States the supplies of oil have been coming mainly from Rumania, South Russia, Mexico and the Dutch East Indies. Supplies in less amount are being produced in Indla and Galicia (now Poland). The results of the explora. tlon by the Anglo-Perslan Oil Com pany (60 per cent owned by the! British government) in southwestern Persia bordering Mesopotamia have resulted in marked success and rapid increases in productlon, in wells drilled and capped capable of greatly enlarging the production and trans- portation when marketing arrange- ments are completed. A very small production has been for some years obtained in Peru and south Canada. For many years the Japanese em- pire has for the most part supplied its own needs. So much for com- mercial sources at the present time. Argentina, Colombla and Venezuela are entering the lists. As regards the future, the foremost | potential reglon of the eastern hem- isphere and probably of the entire world s in Asia Minor—the region embracing western Persia, which is now nearly all in British control through the Anglo-Persian Oil Com- pany; Mesopotamia, in which lies the Mosul district, which seems to be claimed by the British; Syria, the re- glon of the Caucasus in Russia, and the southwestern corner of Siberia, including Turkestan. Oil in South America. The other great region of prospective importance is western South America, embracing Venezuela, Colombia, and the broad Andean zone and foothill re- glon of South America. As information now stands, it is most probable that the principal new reglons of subordinate importance are to ‘e found in India, Afghanistan, portions of Africa, the island of Sachalin (Sag- halian) and eastern Siberia, China, the East Indies and Mexico. The Philippine Islands offer possibilities: that may be important in spite of disappointing results of searches so far made, according to geologists. The Chester project attaches to a railway concession extending from the Black sea across to the Persian border, with a prospective branch heading northeastward toward Lake Van. The line taps important agri- cultural lands. It penetrates the heart of the Mosul region, where oil has been obtained from open pits for centuries and where drilling tests and geological conditions assure a great future production. Oil projects at other points, includ- ing the Lake Van district, and copper deposits reported to be of great wvalue are comprehended in the Ches- ter concession. . It is understood also that the Ches- ter concession or an additional con- cession to the Chester interests em- braces plans for city building in Angora. Field of Vast Extent. The Mosul territory is but a minor Prohibition Enforcement Among Problems President Is Determined to Have Solved BY N. 0. MESSENGER. RESIDENT HARDING expects to se- cure practical and beneficial results from the conference with governors of states which he will call early in May. to be held in the National Capital, to discuss more .effective enforcement of the nauo_nal prohibition law. By an exchange of views, of experiences and recommenda- tions, the chief executive thinks that plans can be worked out for tightening enforce- ment all along the line. The likelihood that some of the govern- ers favor modifying the law to permit the use _of light wines and beer will have no bearing on the question at issue. How to _enforvce existing law and not how to enlarge it will be the subject of discussion. The President, under the Constitution of the United States, is required “to take care that the lgws be faithfully executed.” President Harding is said to be determined to put forth every effort at his command to aid in enforcement of the prohibition act, nation- ally and with the co-operation of the chief executives of the commonwealths. * ok ok ¥k The state of Washington appears to be all worked up over alleged violations of the law in the city of Washington. Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel of the Anti-Saloon League, has received a telegram from Spo- kane demanding to know what he is going to fio about alleged violations of the law in sockety circles of this city, reported to be widespread. He replied that without specific charges and data he can do nothing. * ok ok ok . Onc of the arguments frequently advanced in support of the demand for modification of the Volstead act to permit the use of h_ghx wines and beer is the claim that viola- tions of the law will be lessened thereby, Nc?t all people, however, who conscientiously th{||k that beer and wine would be a good thing for the country condone the violation of the law on account of its strictness. The movement looking to congressional acti.on in the direction of modification is taking on stronger momentum, according to reports from those in touch with the leader- ship. Their main hope, it is said, is to get one of the political parties to indorse modification in the national elections of 1924, but political leaders of experience are said to throw cold water on their aspira- tions in this direction. * %k Xk X The prohibition leaders are said to be absolutely confident of their ability to keep wine and beer out of all national platforms, and they will concentrate attacks upon indi- vidual candidates for Congress running on such a plank. The majority opinion among political leaders is that advocates of beer and wine are in a losing fight in an endeavor to muster a majority vote in either House or Senate through the election of individuals without a national platform back of them. * ¥ %k X Secretary of the Treasury Mellon’s statement suggesting amendment of the tax laws by reducing the surtaxes has attracted widespread attention, as probably forecast- ing tax reduction legislation at the next session of Congress. President Harding is known to be of the opinion that if the sub- ject is reopened, it would be advisable not to confine amendment to this one schedule of the income tax law, but to make other reductions. It is certain that the progressives and the democrats in the next Congress will make a vigorous effort through combination to scale down some of the taxes and increase others. * % ¥ ¥ There is talk of a combination of demo- crats and republican progressives to pass a bill which will make it impossible for the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitu- tional by a majority of one vote. Thus is foreshadowed another bloc in Congress. It will probably be called the Supreme Court bloc. Widespread discussion and comment upon the court’s decision in the District of Columbia minimum wage case has been a feature of the editorial columns of the press since the decision was handed down, and the movement looking to a change in the law has been given strong impetus. Women's organizations and ofganized labor are expected to back up the movement to require that a greater majority than one shall be needed to declare a law unconsti- tutional. Thus far the movement is recog- nized as bi-partisan. It is expected that if the change is not made before, the sponsors will take a demand to the two national conventions seeking to get a party plank urging it. * % ¥ k Political leaders expect to witness an avalanche of demands upon the two national conventions for planks urging the submis- sion of the multifarious proposed changes in the Constitution of the United States. Resolutions introduced in the last Congress proposing amendments to the Constitution, they say, clearly indicate a big drive in this direction. The resolutions—and their name is legion—covered a wide range of subjects and if all of the proposed changes were made, the framers of the Constitution would not recognize the original charter. * % % % Talk about the selection of cities which will have the two big national conventions is setting in now. The choice will be made when the national committees for the two parties meet in this city next December to issue the call for the conventions. The suggestion that Washington might get the republican national convention sent cold chills down the back of some of the republican leaders. “Great Scott,” said one just think of the demand for tickets from officials in Washington who who would be convinced they had a claim on seats in the convention. We would not have room for the delegates after all these applicants were satisfied.” * ok ok ok One of the biggest problems which con- front the men in charge of the arrange- ments of a national convention is the demand for seats in the visitors’ galleries of the con- vention. It is remarkable they say, how many people they suddenly learn have “been lifelong friends” of theirs and come for- ward with an engaging smile and out- stretched hand. . of oil seeps or springs, asphalt out- crops, gas fountains, etc., extending southeastward in eastern Turkey, which stretches in increasing breadth and prospective wealth through Me- | sopotamia to the Persian gulf and southwestern Persla, where the ex- plorations by the British have con- verted splendid. geological prospects into production certaintles. This fleld is undoubtedy destined to stand In the front rank of the oll world of the future when the wells of the United States are dying out. That the Turkish petroleum con- cession, a real concession, has been pointed out by both Secretaries Colby and Hughes in several notes. It is a somewhat uncertain and equivocal proposition, with a rather checkered history at best. It appears to have no claim to validity greater than a mere prom- ise by a member of the Turkish cab- inet that such a concesslon would be granted. Confirmatory action by the Turkish parlfament, which ig neces- sary to make it a real concesslon, such as has just been glven after many years to the Chester project, has never been given to the maszy doouments upon which rest the Brit- ish clalm. With all these facts before us a new light is thrown upon the signifi- cance of President Harding's state- ment regarding his policy of non- interference between Turkey and her European enemies. It is evident that the American “ob- servers” at the Laeusanne conference have a particularly complex, as well as important, piece of work to per- form, since the British influences are determined if possible to thwart the Chester project fathered by Theo- dore Roosevelt in 1908. As President Harding and Secretary Hughes distinctly stated, the United States has no interest in the political disposition of territory as the result of war, but it has a profound interest in the protection of certain deflnite rights which the Kemal government recog- nizes. These mean more for the de- velopment of Turkish resources and through this to the prosperity of the native population than any other consideration at the Lausanne con- ference. Experts Are to Study Poor Eyesight Waste Research in eye conservation on a nationwide scale has been undertaken by the Eyesight Conservation Council of America. The work is 1In charge of J. E. Hannum, a former member of the teaching staff of Purdue Uni- versity and a member of the Ameri- can Soclety of Mechanical Engineers. The plan, which follows revelations of human and industrial wasts in {n- dustry, made by the Hoover com- mittee on the elimination of waste in industry, alms to determine the ex- tent to which'attention is being given to the conservation of vision in the educational, commercial and indus- trial activities of the United States. A study of statutory provisions now in force and affecting eyesight will be carried on. g Experiments to determine the true economic value of perfect vision will be made. It is proposed to measure the improvement in health, increase in quality and quantity of produc- tion, advancement of individual per- formance, and decrease in losses due to waste and accldent. Factory, home and school lighting, now a sub- ject of scientific research here and 2y-the-Talted portion, howoves, 6f the great rogion fabraads will be studled so-called, on which Great | Britain bases Its claim has never been | SEE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE Leaders of Both Parties Concerned as to View of People on Subject of Foreign Intercourse. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. WO AND A HALF years ago the democratic party, sup- porting the Wilson league of nations, in the national elec- tions, went down in overwhelming de- feat. The republicans were swept into power by milllons of votes—their standardbearer declaring agalnst the Wilson league, but upholding an “association of nations” whose exact character was rather vague and nebulous. In the two and & half years that have elapsed the proposal of an as- sociation of nations, made by Presi- dent Harding prior to the election, publicly at least, has been allowed to slumber. It Is true that during the Washington conference on the limitation of armaments, the subject of an assocition of nations was given a certain degree of prominence in certain quarters, but Secretary Hughes promptly insisted that the conference was meeting for specified purposes—to bring about a limita- tion of armaments and to adjust problems of the far east. Out of that conference grew the four-power Pa- cific treaty, an assoclation of the United States, Great Britain, France and.Japan, agreeing to meet in con- terence should any difficulties arise over matters in the Pacific ocean. Opens Wide Discusafon. Now, the President has come for- ward with a proposal that the United States shall take part in the perma- nent world court at The Hague, es- tablished through the agency of the league of nations. He has Insisted this can be done without the United States taking any part in the league as it now exists, and so have Secre- tary Hughes and Secretary Hoover. The proposal that the United States join in the world court will be dis- cussed during the recess of Congress, and when the Senate returns to Wash- ington next December, the lid will be off and the world court will be the subject of many speeches. ‘The discussion of the world court will lead to a discussion of the league —perhaps it would be better to say “@” league of nations. This is as certain, according to leaders on both sides in the Senate, as that night follows day. And dt appears equally certain that the foreign relations of the United States and league of nations will be major issues in the coming campaign—no matter who is anxious to keep the league idea sub- merged. = A canvass of the opinion of some of the democratic leaders leads to the bellef that the democrats will support a “revised” league—what- ever that may mean. So far none of the democratic spokesmen has come forward with any concrete proposal for revision of the league. But the proposal of a “revised” league makes it possible for the democrats to “side- step” entrance into the league of na- tions as it now is constituted. The old league—the existing league—has been so condemned and criticised that the democratic leaders, with their ears to tha ground; do not believe, it 15 said, that to make the entry of the United States into that league an issue in the campaign would be popular. But a revised league— that's a different thing, they say. Roosevelt for “Revision.” A week ago Franklin D. Roosevelt, democratic nominee for Vice Presi- dent in 1920, was in Washington. He had been In conference with his old running mate, former Gov. Cox of Ohlo; with Willlam Jennings Bryan, democratic senators, and last, but by no means least, with Woodrow Wilson. In an interview Mr. Roose- velt expressed the opinfon that those in the United States who wished to see this country join a league of na- tions believed that the existing league must be “revised” or changed in some way before this country should go into it. Whether former President Wilson takes this view of the matter was not disclosed. But there are other democrats who ardently sup- ported the league in 1920 who now take this view. Like Mr. Roosevelt, they hold that because there have been great changes in Europe—in the world—since the league covenant was first drafted changes were in order. But they belleve in the sentiment in this country for “a” league to aid In the maintenance of world peace and they belleve that it would be a popu- lar issue. The republican leaders—some of them—are not unmindful of the de- sire of many Americans that this country take part in a league which would reduce the chances of Inter- national conflict. President Harding himself in his “association of nations” idea sald as much. The proposal of the administration that the United States take part in the world court is in line with this sentiment. Opposes Force-Backed League. Recently, in a speech in Pittsburgh, Senator George Wharton Pepper of Pennsylvania, republican, and said to be slated by the leaders for a place on the forelgn relations committee in the next Congress, pointed out the possibilities of a revision of the ex- isting league of nations. There are many who believe with Senator Pep- per that the countrles of the world would be willing to revise the league in many particulars to bring about the participation of the United States in a league. This belief is not con- fined either to republicans or demo- crats. It is frankly Senator Pepper's view that the discussion of the proposed entrance of the United States into the world court will lead to a discus- slon of the league and league re- vision. The Pennsylvania senator is opposed to a league of natlons backed by force. He opposed the original league—the existing league—on that ground. But his contention is that it would be easy to take the existing league covenant and shear away the provisions which call -for the us¢ of | force and to substitute in their stead | provisions calling for “mediation, ad- judication and adjustment.” He would have back of the league the force of | public opinion instead of the force of arms. Initiative With U. 8. In the opinion of Senator Pepper, expressed while he was in Washing- ton last week, 1f there is to be a proposal for such a revision of the league of natfons, it must come from the government of the United States to the league of nations. There are fifty-two natlons now constituting the league, he pointed out, and it would not be reasonable to expect the league to enter upon a proposed revision particularly without some assurance from the United States government that if the revision were made this country would enter the league. Such a proposal to the league, he sald, would necessarily go through the usual diplomatic channels of the gov- ernment, provided it was first decided that the United States desired to take | part in the league. The move for the revision of the league could be made, he said, either through the executive department of the government on its own initiativg or in pursuance to a congressional resolution urging that steps be taken. Among the republicans are promi- nent members of Congress and off- clals who fear that if the adminis- tration gets behind any proposition either for the revision of the league of nations or for entrance of this country into the permanent world court established through the league it is going to mean a split in the party, thereby insuring democratic victory at the polls in 1924. They see the Johnsons, the Borahs, the La Fol- lettes, the Moses’ and the Brandegees fading away from the party, when, admittedly, the republicans need all their strength. But if the republicans as a party within the next twelve months do not get behind either a proposal for an assoclation of nations or a re- vised league of nations, it is a good b-t that the foreign relations of this country and the league idea will be a dominant i{ssue in the elections, with the democrats upholding the league idea. A Matter of Evolution. It will be remembered that at the time of the Washington conference, - {Justice Sutherland of the Supreme Court, a close friend of the President, and at that time chairman of the special advisory committee to the American delegation, sald that he belfeved an association of nations would be an “evolution,” when he was asked if the then conference might bring that matter to the fore. The conference idea, he said, might be expected to grow and develop. It may be sald that the democrats be- lieve the “evolution” is now proceed- ing. Headed by former Justice Clarke of the Supreme Court, there is a non- partisan assoclation now working to bring about the entrance of the United States into the league of nations. It has its branches in all parts of the country. It is proper to recall, too, that the United States would have now been a member of the league of nations had former Pres- ident Wilson been willing to accept the Lodge reservations to the covenant. What would the voters say today, if they were asked to indorse a proposa that the United States enter the league, with reservations equally strong as those proposed by Senator Lodge, even stronger? That is what politi- clans are asking themselves. And the democrats, in their proposed revision o. the league, are willing to go to furthe. extents than ever did the o reser- vations? COST OF GOVERNMENT IN THE CAPITAL CITY Former Engineer Commissioner Makes Interesting Comparison With Cities of Approximate Size. BY COL. CHARLES KELLER, Former Engineer Commissioner of the District. T 1s common knowledge that the cost of everything that enters into our daily life is today far greater than it was before the war. As familiar examples, we know that a loaf of bread costs 10 cents while a few years ago two loaves oould be had for the same money; all ©of us men pay 4 cents for laundering a collar while the cost was formerly | half that or less; our shoes, our clothes and our fuel are all corre- spondingly higher, and some say poorer. And so the tale might be prolonged at wearisome length. It is then reasonable to expect that the cost of governing the District of Columbia, that is, the amount neces- sary to operate the complicated ma- chinery upon which the well-being of every resident so greatly depends, will, for this reason alone, be found considerably higher than in the happy days before the great war was let loose upon humanity by the mad am- bitlons or the crazy brains of the kaiser and his lesser war lords. Spreading Increases Cost. Over and beyond this cause for the growth of our annual budget, we must take into account the increase of our population, Its spread into out- lying areas at comparatively great distances from the former center of population, and the corresponding need of providing and extending the usual municipal services, such as schools, water, sewers, sidewalks, streets and the collection of waste matter of various kinds. While the cost of operating the District may not increase in precisely the same degree as the population served, it may easily happen that growth extending to needlessly great distances from the hitherto improved limits may cause disproportionately great charges to fall upon the District treasury. For, example, it may readily cost $2,000 or $2,500 to extend sewer or water service to a single dwelling built possibly 700 or 800 feet away from the nearest group of houses already 50 supplied, whereas the cost would be $200 or less for a house adjoining one already connected. Another cause for rising budgets, | and in my opinlon a legitimate one, for which we should be proud and not spologetic, 1s the high standard set by the people as to the various public services. The people demand more and better service, more police and fire protection, better school buildings, | brighter street lights, modern pave- ments, faultless and continuous side- walks, hospitals and other public in- stitutions in keeping with the best! humanitarian standards. All these | things ought to be of the very best, but the very best is proverbially costly. 3 Ideal of Government. In short, what the people want and should have is good government. What is really good government de- pends on the point of view and the special interest of those who sit in judgment. Possibly all may well be satisfied with the definition of a well trained expert. one who has made city government his busine his lifetime occupation. Such a man, the manager of a nearby city, gives; these as his views: 'ax rates and per capita taxes are no test of the quality of city government. A high tax may mean waste or more improvements and better service, a low one economy or arrested progress and poor serv- ice. The ideal is good service at the lowest possible cost. Good city gov- ernment should include (a) impartial, strict, humane enforcement of law, (b) courteous and efficient treatment of all, (c) business methods in public finance, (d) minimum fire losses, (e) rigld supervision of food supply, (f) protection from contagion and from | other causes affecting public health, | (g) well organized and adequate pub- lic welfare services commonly known as charitles, (h) efficlent sewer and water services, thorough municipal housekeeping and cleanliness, includ- ing the collection and disposal of all wastes and the cleaning of all streets and roadways, (1) well paved streets and sidewalks and ample facilities for street traffic, (§) well planned and | bullt schools and public buildings, ample parks and playgrounds, pleas- ing and ample public lighting, (k) recreational facilities for all ages, in- cluding libraries and art galleries, public concert halls, and the like.” If all these are to be supplied, and this appears to be the common ex- pectation, then the bill to be paid! by the public will be corresponding- ly large. Standards Here Exacting. The District of Columbia has a population whose standards are high and exacting, and the District Com- missioners have constantly to face the difficult problem of meeting de- mands- for more and better public service of all kinds. The Commls-‘ sioners have not a free hand. The amount of money available for run- ning the complicated machine for which they are responsible is fixed Iy Congress; and the annual tax rate [ misleading to and the total tax collection depend altogether upon the same will It 15, however, the duty of the Commis- sioners to furnish the most service of the best quality that can be had for the money given them to disburse, | which 1s another way of saying that, | regardless of the amount allowed by | Congress, they should perform the varlous services required of them at | the lowest cost consistent with satls- | #action to their clients, the public. In a general way, it fs usually |taken for granted that the District |18 well governed. The government s | admittedly non-political, its person- | nel is, practically throughout, per- | manent; on the face of things the | city 18 clean and well appearing, and | mot the slightest hint of graft or of | favoritism has ever been made. These things are generally con- | ceded, but it might be illuminating | to learn how we compare with other | cities of about the same size. At | the outset, it should be remarked that such comparisons are to a consider- | able degree valueless because neces- | sarily they must be statistical, based on figures alone without considera- tion of differing local conditions and of the quality of the service ren- dered. This element of doubt and weakness i3 well illustrated by the remark of a late District Commis- sloner, who on a recent visit to Washington, said that he had never realized how clean Washington was until he had moved away from the District and returned for a visit. If the city in which he now lives spends 2s much as we do for street clean- ing, it must either get less for its money or be more difficult to keep clean. Keeping in mind these limitations and remembering that I am furnish- ing fligures derived from official re- ports, it is extremely interesting to compare the expenditures reported by the five cities, Washington, New- ark, N. 1.; Pittsburgh, San Fracisco and Buffalo, and in order to get an idea as to tendencies, all figures ars siven for 1916, the last pre-war year, and 1921, a year in which we wers beginning to recover somewhat from war prices and to assume a more nearly stable condition. i ‘What Other Citles Spend. These five cities varied fn popula- tion in 1916 between 390,350 for New- ark to 579,190 for Pittsburgh. Dur- ing the five years to 1921, their rela- tive order as to population remained unchanged, Newark being still the smallest at 425,885, and Pittsburgh the largest, with 602,350. During that period Washington and Buffalo galned more than the others, about 41,000 each. All these citles are nearly enough of the same size to give value to a comparison of the information that has been embodied in the table of general statistics which Is printed at the bottom of this column. It will be seen that the District of Columbia is 50 per cent greater in area than the next larger city, San Francisco. In other words, its smaller population is scattered over a con- siderably greater area. It would be place too much em- on such an index as the average population per square mile, but density of population undoubted- 1y is of importance in its effect upon the cost of government. It seems obvious that a given number of people in a smaller area will require less fire and polico protection, less ex- penditure for paving and maintain- ing streets, and correspondingly smaller amounts for defraying the cost of other customary public serv- ices. Hence, it is worth while to note that in 1916 the population per square mile was for Washington, 5,800; Newark, 16,500; Pittsburgh, 13,000; San Francisco, 11,300, and Buffalo, 12,200. In five years these figures changed, so that Washington had 6,400; Newark, 18,000; Pittsburgh, 13,- 200; San Francisco, 000, and phasis | Buffalo, 13,300. Thus Washington had gained 600 per square mile; Newark, 1,200; San Francisco, 700, and Buffalo, 1,100, while Pittsburgh seems to have declined in density of population, possibly due to annexation of thinly settled outlying territory. Effect Upon Expenditures. The effect of area upon expendi- tures s traceable in the figures as to the number of schools, policemen, and of firemen, although some allowance must, of course, be made for the fact that in the District separate schools are maintained for the colored chil- dren. As, however, seats would have to be provided for these children in any event, any disparity in the num- ber of school buildings and class- rooms is only in small part accounted for by the special provision made for the colored children of the District. Referring to the table of general statistics, we see that in 1916 the District had 150 schools with .1,486 classrooms, and, in 1921, 166 schools with 1,630 rooms. We had a greater |number of school buildings than had any other city in the group, but our total of classrooms was at the end of the period the lowest of all, and our average per building also the lowest. Evidently we were maintain- ing scattered small units in the face of a tendency elsewhere to develop mom larger _ groups, _most (Cumdnued on Third Page.) a GENERAL STATISTICS OF CITIES. Washin, $13,401 461.43 22,979,160.14 150 23 . mil BhE Classrooms—1916 . 1921 3 Policemen—i9i6 - 1021 Newark, N. J. 890,350 424,885 San Franctsco. 579,190 520,000 602,850 650,000 4834 8q. i land 1916, 42.026q. m1. 5043 5q. ml. 1921, 43.65 0. mi. 127 s $17,600.619.16 * $23,799,013.02 30,109,25984 35,577,054.10 100 110 1847 Buffalo. 476,820 519,608 Pittsburgh.